Artillery played a decisive role in the outcome of the 1835 civil war. San José leveraged its superior artillery capabilities to counteract the numerical superiority of the Liga forces. This technological advantage was pivotal in battles such as those on the Alto de la Cuesta de Moras, where artillery supported by Vincent Villaseñor played a critical role in driving back the Cartaginians . Furthermore, during the battle at El Arroyo, the superior artillery of San José ultimately forced the Liga forces, particularly from Alajuela, into surrendering . This technological superiority compensated for San José’s numerical inferiority and contributed significantly to their overall victory .

San José adeptly balanced defensive and offensive strategies, which was critical to their success in the war. Initially, Colonel Antonio Pinto organized defensive positions, constructing trenches to protect against a siege by Liga forces . However, as the cartagineses and their allies hesitated in advancing, Pinto decisively shifted to an offensive stance, taking the initiative against the entrenched positions of the Liga, notably dislodging them from the Cuesta de Moras . Conversely, the Liga failed to capitalize on their initial positions and superior numbers due to inadequate coordination and strategic inertia, allowing San José to attack and dismantle their positions sequentially . This contrast in tactical execution was pivotal, as San José adapted dynamically to the flow of battle while the Liga remained passive .

The dynamics of regional autonomy versus military centralization played a crucial role in the power dynamics of the 1835 civil war. The drive for regional autonomy fueled the initial conflict, as Cartago, together with Alajuela and Heredia, resisted the perceived centralization of power in San José following the abolition of the Ley de la Ambulancia . On the other hand, San José capitalized on its centralized military power, made possible by the reorganization efforts of Braulio Carrillo, which allowed it to maintain a cohesive and efficient military response. This combination of political ambition for local control by the Liga and the centralized military authority wielded by San José created a tension that defined the war's progression. Ultimately, San José's ability to deploy its centralized military power effectively overcame the league's fragmented regional efforts, securing its dominance .

The military organization of San José was a crucial factor influencing the outcome of the war. The centralization of military power in San José, combined with the reorganization and strengthening of Costa Rica’s armed forces under Braulio Carrillo's administration, provided San José with a well-structured and effective fighting force . This contrasted with the Liga forces, which, despite superior numbers, lacked the same level of organization and command cohesion . San José's ability to quickly mobilize and deploy its forces, alongside effective leadership, allowed it to execute a strategic plan that outmaneuvered the Liga and led to decisive victories .

Cartago's forces committed a significant tactical error by failing to initiate simultaneous attacks on multiple fronts, which would have forced San José into a stretched defense . Instead, their sequential and separate approaches allowed San José to concentrate its forces and deal with one enemy at a time, using central positioning to their advantage . This oversight permitted San José to implement superior strategic maneuvers, effectively neutralizing the numerical advantage that Cartago's forces initially possessed . The lack of an orchestrated, multi-front assault diluted the potential impact of Cartago's forces, leading to their eventual defeat .

Antonio Pinto's leadership was crucial in defending San José against the Liga forces. Initially, he organized defenses by mobilizing local militias and constructing trenches around the city . Recognizing that a purely defensive stance was insufficient, he shifted to an offensive strategy, attacking and defeating the Cartaginian forces at the Cuesta de Moras with the help of Vicente Villaseñor and artillery support from Captain Manuel Quijano . This decisive action not only lifted the siege but also boosted josefino morale and disrupted the opposition's cohesion .

The strategy of central positioning involved concentrating forces to attack one enemy contingent at a time, rather than spreading them across multiple fronts. San José employed this strategy effectively during the civil war of 1835 by first targeting the Cartaginian forces, isolating and defeating them before turning their attention to the Heredian and Alajuelan troops . This approach allowed San José to maximize the effectiveness of its smaller forces, utilizing the advantages of timing and focused attacks to neutralize larger opponents in succession . By leveraging this strategy, San José could avoid the detriments of being outnumbered and outmaneuvered, ultimately achieving a sequence of victories that led to the overall war success .

The localist spirit and regional enmity were significant catalysts for the outbreak of the civil war. After the abolition of the Ley de la Ambulancia, which had established a rotation of political power among the principal cities, Cartago felt aggrieved and rallied against San José, marking the start of the conflict . San José was perceived as a centralizing authority, inflaming regional rivalries with Cartago, Alajuela, and Heredia, who saw San José's growing dominance as a threat to their local autonomy and interests . These underlying tensions contributed to the willingness of these cities to join forces in opposition to the central government, igniting the war .

The main strategic errors committed by the Liga forces included failing to exploit their numerical superiority and the advantageous position they initially held around San José. They did not carry out a simultaneous attack on both eastern and western fronts, which would have forced San José to engage on multiple fronts . Instead, the provinces allowed the josefinos to take initiative, adopting the Napoleonic strategy of central positioning by first defeating Cartago, then turning towards Heredia and Alajuela. This sequential approach allowed San José to concentrate its forces and overcome a larger adversary piecemeal . The Liga also made the mistake of positioning their troops statically, enabling San José to dictate the tempo and direction of the conflict .

The Ley de la Ambulancia, which provided for a rotational system for the supreme powers among Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, and San José, was abolished in August 1835. This act was poorly received, particularly by Cartago, which perceived it as an unfair centralization of power favoring San José . The dissatisfaction contributed significantly to the uprising, with Cartago initiating hostilities followed by Alajuela and Heredia. Thus, the abolition of the law exacerbated existing regional tensions, acting as a catalyst for the outbreak of war .