[3] Its origin was the discontent of the conservatives for the secularizing measures adopted in education and for the openly anti-religious and anti-clerical spirit of the radicals.

The government in power would have invited a German Mission to transform teaching methods in schools, until then controlled by the Catholic Church.

This secularist initiative failed when the Church promoted resistance from conservative factions, which would end up sparking inter-partisan violence once again, blocking the attempt to secularize education.

The liberal troops, who defend the radical government of Aquileo Parra, were under the orders of generals Julián Trujillo Largacha, Santos Acosta, Sergio Camargo and Tomás Rengifo.

On August 31, 1876, General Trujillo won the Battle of Los Chancos in the state of Cauca, where 24 to 25,000 liberals opposed 16 to 20,000 conservatives.