La Isla Vicuna had been inhabited for centuries, but in 1941 it was home to a small population of around forty men, women, and children. For the most part, the islanders exist in a void, rarely taking trips to other surrounding islands or mainland Chile. The local economy consisted mostly of fishing in the abundant southern Pacific Ocean and farming within the island.

Vicuna was officially part of The Republic of Chile, and was governed by Chile's military police force. In the far reaches of the nation, however, the powers of government usually resided in one general, who controlled a garrison of officers and soldiers. When this history begins, General Policarpo Toro ruled his provinces, and his men obeyed his will with an almost familial devotion. The Vicunans were "taxed" by Toro's men in an arbitrary manner. Periodically, a police boat would approach a fishing vessel and demand the day's catch - all of it. Yes, this was dramatically unfair taxation, but most of the fishermen feared accepted it. Worse things could - and did - happen.