Carl Friedrich Gauss
The time précolombienne
The dating of the first settlement of Americas is still largely prone to debate among the scientists. The majority of these theories indicate that the current territory of Bolivia was populated by wandering tribes, alive hunting and gathering, which would have crossed the Bering Strait to colonize all America gradually. The majority of these theories give a date of settlement lain between 10 000 before Jesus-Christ and 20 000 before Jesus-Christ, even still quite front. Some other theories give an origin Oceania to the first South American inhabitants.The first field crop appeared on the current Bolivian territory was the civilization of Tiwanaku, whose formation would go up at the beginning of the thousand-year-old Ier front J. - C., in the extreme south of the Lac Titicaca. Its development accelerated starting from the II {{E}} century before Jesus-Christ, then it disappears towards 1200 after J. - C. probably because of a great dryness. To its apogee, its influence extends until the south from the Peru and to north from the Chile, covering mainly the Andean areas. Culture of Chavin, of which the formative period goes up with the thousand-year-old IIe front J. - C. with the Peru, extended until in the Bolivian Altiplano during the thousand-year-old Ier front J. - C.. It marked the area during centuries by its cultural radiation, which still perduré after its extinction, about the year 200 av. J. - C.
Other contemporary cultures in Tiwanakus, like the Moxos in the south-east of the country and the Mollos, in the north of current the La Paz, developed in Bolivia and extinct during the 13th century.
Towards 1450, the Quechua S arrive in the Northern area of the country and attach the territory which corresponds today to Bolivia with their own empire INCA. They control this territory until the Spanish Conquistador S, arrived in 1525, begin their conquest in 1539.
Spanish colonial time
Interested by all the objects out of gold which the natives have, the Spanish put at research various mines country. Many colonists are able then to benefit from this richness. With Potosí, they learned the existence from Cerro Rico (mountain with richness), the mountain which dominates the city, thanks to an Indian of the name of Diego Huallpa. This mountain contains money enormously from where, between 1545 and 1802, one extracts approximately 40 000 tons of ore. The richness of the Spanish empire comes mainly from this money. Certain historians think that part of this money is at the sea-bed without being able to quantify these losses. Indeed, during their crossing, the boats could lose their cargo because of the storms. A certain number also ran.
The Bolivia, called High Peru or Charcas, fact part of the viceroyalty of Lima until in 1779 after which it concerns that of the Rio of Plata.
During several years the Spaniards conquered and founded the various cities which compose Bolivia (the departments will be created only at the time of independence). Francisco Pizarro sends, in 1538, his/her brother Gonzalo with the conquest of Charcas and Collao.
In 1546, little time after the discovery of Cerro Rico, Juan de Villarroel and Diego Centeno found the town of Potosí. The October 21st 1548, it is La Paz which is based by Alonso de Mendoza on order of Pedro of Gasca. Then the town comes of Santa Cruz of the Sierra in the south-east of Charcas, founded by Ñuflo Chávez in 1561.
Thereafter, in 1561, the city of Plata (Sugar nowadays) accommodates the Audience of Charcas, the supreme legal authority of High Peru; they discuss in particular the creation of a new administrative center since which they will be able all to control.
In 1566, Tristán de Tejada and Juan Salinas arrive at Trinidad (blessed).
The town of Cochabamba is rested by the Spaniard Sebastián Barba of Padilla on January 1st 1574. Manual Castro and Padilla arrives at Oruro in 1606.
During their conquest, the Spanish take the control of native-born people by the force. They impose their own laws, culture and religion. No native can occupy a station with the government, even that which is born Spanish parents cannot reach an important station. Because of all repressions which the people endure, starting from 1780, a series of revolts start to worry the viceroyalty of Peru and the Audience of Charcas.
One year later, the January 15th 1781, the Chayanta S revolt violently. Among them, three brothers, Tomás, Damaso and Nicolás, take the control of the army and subject the mine of Aullagas to a seat. Among the most dramatic revolts, that carried out by Túpac Katari will leave an important trace in the history of Bolivia. Indeed, him and those which accompany it encircle La Paz to block of it any access and that during 109 days, whereas the inhabitants of Paz cannot survive it a long time without product imports expenses. The chiefs of these revolts are killed by the Spaniards the November 13rd 1781. The pieces of the body of Túpac Katari are then hung in the places of each important city to cross short to any inclination of revolt.
In 1809, a group of revolutionist of Paz, directed by Pedro Domingo Murillo, proclaims the independence of High Peru.
19th century, independence
Of 1809 with 1825, 16 years run out. During this period, it is not only the Bolivia which makes the war to obtain its independence but all the South America. Many wars are held on all the continent. Under the impulse of Libertadors such as Simón Bolívar, Antonio Jose de Sucre, Jose de San Martín, Bernardo O' Higgins and Jose Gervasio Artigas, the countries of South America obtain their independence. That of Bolivia is proclaimed the August 6th 1825 after the Sugar victory to the battle of Ayacucho, the December 9th 1824. The Bolivian constitution is written by Simón Bolívar and to make him honor, the country takes the name of Bolivia the August 11th 1825.
19th century after independence
The independence of the country does not restore however political stability. Indeed, second president de Bolivie, Antonio Jose de Sucre, elected the December 29th 1825, is expelled of the country whereas it has been with the capacity for only two years. He then succeed the most outstanding character of the Bolivian history, the marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz.After having been useful in the Spanish army, it joined the independence cause and is used under Sucre during the countryside as Ecuador (Bataille of Pichincha) then it takes part in the campaigns of Peru and delivers the Bataille of Zepita. Intrigant, ambitious it has great projects for Bolivia, from which it intends to make the principal regional power. For this purpose, it is involved in the civil wars which tear Peru and ends up invading purely and simply this country, that it makes amalgamate with Bolivia the May 9th 1837 within the framework of the péruano-Bolivian Confederation, of which it decrees the title of supreme guard. This Confederation is perceived like a threat by the Argentine and the Chile which decide to put a manu-militari term at it. The Argentinas armies are beaten by the Bolivian troops ordered by the general of German origin Otto Philipp Braun, as for the first Chilean forwarding, it is forced to capitulate in open country. The Confederation triumphs and this period is regarded as more ostentation and most glorious of the Bolivian history on the geopolitical level. Indeed, for the first and the last time of its history, Bolivia is the major power of the area.
But the Roche tarpéienne is close to the Capitole! The one second Chilean forwarding, supported by Peruvian opponents gains the decisive battle of Yungay in 1839, causing the final collapse of the Confederation. Renonçant with its dreams of sizes, Santa Cruz leaves in exile and will never return to Bolivia.
The rout of the Confederation is followed by one period of political anarchy from which Peru profits to invade in its turn Bolivia. The danger is drawn aside by Jose Ballivián which crushes the invaders with the Bataille of Ingavi the November 18th 1841. He becomes president of Bolivia until in 1847 and offers to the country one period stability and of respite.
That does not last and during the 30 years which follow, revolutions, civil wars, coups d'etat and changes of government follow one another, plunging the country in a chaos and a chronic instability prejudicial with its economic interests and the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
The weakness of the Bolivia is made feel during the war of the Pacific (1879 - 1884) when it loses its single access to the sea and part of its mines of Nitrate to the profit of the Chile. This war is started because of a conflict with this one on the desert of Atacama. This desert contains enormous nitrate resources. Chile seizes then the Bolivian port of Antofagasta, beginning of a disastrous war, at the conclusion which Bolivia loses the province of Atacama.
A world increase in the price of the money brings back, towards the end of the 19th century, an economic stability and policy to Bolivia. During the beginning of the 20th century, the tin replaces the money and becomes the source of the most important richness of the country.
The 20th century
The beginning of the 20th century is marked by a conflict with the Brésil, in the area of Acre, in Amazonia, which turns to the disadvantage of Bolivia; this one is forced to yield the territory disputed by the Traité of Petrópolis signed the November 17th 1903.The living conditions of the natives remain deplorable. Forced to work in the mines, they do not have access to education, have little influence on the policy and do not manage to make economies. The defeat of the Bolivia against the Paraguay in the War of Chaco (1932 - 1935) mark an important turning. In this war, Bolivia underwent enormous human losses and lost most of its territory (more 200 000 km ²).
Following this conflict, the nationalist context in the country resulted in nationalizing certain resources, of which the first nationalization of the hydrocarbons, which related to the firm states-unienne Standard Oil in 1937.
The revolutionary Nationalist movement (MNR, Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario) directed by Víctor Paz Estenssoro becomes the most important political party of the country. In spite of its victory with the elections of 1951, it does not reach the capacity because the army prohibits the access of them to him. The MNR launches then, in 1952, a revolution and requires new elections; what it obtains. They give access to him the capacity. It founds the vote for all then, redistributes the grounds of the country (August 2nd 1953), improves education of the rural population, and nationalizes the largest mining companies of the country.
Twelve years of agitated policy leaves the divided MNR. In 1964, a Junta military shift the president Paz Estenssoro whereas it had just begun its third mandate. In 1969, the death of the president Rene Barrientos Ortuño, one of the members who trained the junta, and which had elected president in 1966, led to a succession of weak governments. In 1969 took place nevertheless the second nationalization of hydrocarbons. Alarmed by the public disorder, the soldiers, the MNR and some others, place Hugo Banzer Suárez at the presidency in 1971. It remained with the presidency supported on the MNR of 1971 with 1978. It reprivatisa hydrocarbons.
The elections of 1978, 1979 and 1980 are marked by the fraud. During these three years, several coups d'etat take place. In 1981, Luis García Meza is expelled of the government because it does not respect the human rights, fact of the drug trafficking and manages the nation's economy very badly. Later, he is shown of murder and, in 1995, he is extradited Brésil towards Bolivia where he must purge a 30 years sorrow.
After the expulsion of Shine García Meza, the agitation of the country forces the soldiers to make a decision. They convene the congress elected in 1980 and ask him to choose a president. Hernán Siles Zuazo becomes president, 22 years again after the end of its first mandate. Its second mandate begins the October 10th 1982. Because of many problems, whose hyperinflation, it decides to convene elections one year before the end of its mandate.
With the elections of 1985, it is party DNA with at its head Hugo Banzer Suárez, which receives the most voice. In second position came the MNR and in third position, the MIR with at its head Jaime Paz Zamora. But there be a turning with the Congress because the MIR and the MNR joined together their voices and Víctor Paz Estenssoro was selected for the fourth time as president. When this one begins its mandate, it must face a great economic crisis. The GDP and exports had decreased for several years. Although the MNR, with the candidature of Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, is victorious with the elections of 1989, no candidate will receive a majority of the votes. And thus, in accordance with the constitution, a vote of the Congress must appoint the president. Party AP, in coalition with DNA and MIR, respectively second and third with the elections, gains. Paz Zamora thus assumes the presidency.
With the elections of 1993, the MNR gains the elections vis-a-vis parties DNA and joined together MIR. It gains 34% of the voices compared with 20% for its rivals. Coalition MNR, MBL and UCS elects Sánchez de Lozada as president.
Sánchez de Lozada continues its economic reforms and social. It is helped in particular of the contractors, who converted themselves into politicians, and of the former members of the administration of Víctor Paz Estenssoro. The most important change that undertook Sánchez de Lozada is its programme of privatization of the companies. The investors can have up to 50% of various state enterprises like the oil companies, telecommunications, the electric system and well of others. Part of the people Bolivia N was opposed to these economic reforms, which thus has, between 1994 and 1996, caused social disturbances, particularly with Paz and in the area of Chapare.
In 1997, Hugo Banzer Suárez, leader of party DNA, gains the elections with 22% of the voices compared with 18% for the MNR. It forms a coalition of parties DNA, MIR, UCS and CONDEPA, those having the majority of the seats to the Bolivian Congress. The Congress indicates it as president. Its mandate begins the August 6th 1997.
The 21e century
The government changes its policy and wishes privatiser several companies. Whereas, with Cochabamba, the distribution company of water is privatisée, between January and April 2000, a series of protests are organized against the government. This one issues the martial law then, stops the leaders of these protests and interdict at all the radio stations to emit. The civil disorders and the pressure of the people cease only the April 10th when the government goes into reverse on its decision of privatization.
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada gains the elections of 2002 vis-a-vis Evo Morales, leader of the socialist party (FARMHOUSE for Movimiento Al Socialismo). The elections do not proceed without problem. Indeed, several days before the elections, the ambassador of the the United States, Manual Rocha, threat the Bolivian ones by proclaiming that if they vote for Evo Morales various helps coming from the United States would be removed and that those would close their markets. In spite of the threats, Evo Morales received 21% of the voices, which very places it close to Sánchez de Lozada.
Four years of economic recession, a bad tax situation and ethnic tensions of long time make that in 2003, a rising of the police force and workers almost reversed the government of the president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. Thirty people died during the revolution. The government remains with the capacity but with lost its popularity. The recent conflict most important is that of the Guerre of the gas. Gas reserves naturalness were discovered very recently in the south of the country. To export this gas, some proposed to make it pass by the Chile because, technically, it is the easiest way but this idea raised strong criticisms because of the resentments going back to the wars of the 19th century. This civil war caused several deaths and of many casualties. Vis-a-vis the pressure, the president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada resigns and leaves his place to his vice-president: Carlos Mesa Gisbert which becomes president then the October 17th 2003.
That brings back the calm one only temporarily. Indeed, the Indians always claim the nationalization of the hydrocarbon companies. Several demonstrations claim the withdrawal of the president Carlos Mesa. This one presents its resignation then the March 7th 2005 but the Senate refuses it unanimously; it thus preserves its station. For certain observers close to the extreme left, this political agitation was only used Re-to legitimate president Carlos Mesa.
In June 2005, of many demonstrations in all the country push president Carlos Mesa to be resigned. This one does not manage any more to manage the situation. The demonstrators claim in particular the nationalization of the hydrocarbon companies and refuse separatist temptations of the provinces particularly rich in hydrocarbons of Santa Cruz and Tarija. During these demonstrations, the roads were blocked in all the country. Because of these many blockings of roads, food with La Paz was done rare and the prices increased. Carlos Mesa then presents again her resignation which, this time, will be accepted. The June 9th at the evening, the congress places Eduardo Rodríguez at the head of the country as a president by interim; it succeeds thus Carlos Mesa Gisbert who chaired Bolivia during 20 months.
Eduardo Rodríguez then convenes elections for the December 4th 2005 but they will be deferred to the date of the December 18th 2005. These elections opposes mainly Evo Morales to Jorge Quiroga Ramírez. Before even the examination of the votes, the surveys indicate Evo Morales winner. And that is confirmed thereafter, it indeed gains the elections with more than 54% of the voices whereas Jorge Quiroga Ramírez arrives in second position with 29% of the voices. The January 22nd 2006, in presence in particular of eleven Heads of States of the area and Europe, it lends oath in front of the Congress. He becomes thus the first president of origin Aymara in Bolivia.
May 1st 2006, Evo Morales announces by decree 28701, the third nationalization of hydrocarbons. This action, although announced in the electoral program was a surprise. It is accompanied by an occupation of the oil-bearing fields, especially in the south of the country, the Département of Tarija. This advertisement causes rather hostile reactions of the international community, in particular of the Brésil, principal importer of Bolivian gas; country which has one of the three principal companies concerned with the nationalization: Petrobras (Total French company and Repsol Spanish company being the two different ones).
A referendum must take place the June 2nd 2006 to offer a greater autonomy to the departments of Bolivia. Decentralization was one of the essential claims of the protests of 2005.
Bonds
- Amerindian in the Latin-American company at the XXe century (55% of the population of Colombia being purely Amerindian)
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