Study Guide: 200 Years of Bolivian History (Timeline)

1809 – First Cry of Liberty (Chuquisaca/Sucre):

First uprising against Spanish rule, inspired by French & American revolutions. Suppressed but sparked wider rebellion

• 1824 – Battle of Ayacucho (Peru):

Simón Bolívar & Antonio José de Sucre defeated Spanish forces → end of colonial power

1825 – 6 August:

Deliberative Assembly declared independence of Upper Peru, named “Bolivia” after Bolívar. Sucre became first president

Bolívar’s Constitution (1826)

Strong central executive power, little participation → soon replaced

1836–1839 – Peru-Bolivian Confederation:

Union under Andrés de Santa Cruz. Collapsed after Chile & Argentina opposed it

1879–1884 – War of the Pacific:

Against Chile (with Peru as ally). Bolivia lost its Pacific coast → landlocked nation. Sealed with Treaty of 1904

Legacy

Loss of coastline remains central to Bolivian identity & foreign policy (“Sea Day,” ICJ case in 2018) .

Oligarchic & Mining Era (1880–1930)

Economy dominated by tin mining oligarchies (Patiño, Hochschild, Aramayo).

Unequal wealth: elite profited, miners lived in harsh conditions → social unrest grew

The Chaco War & Nationalist Shift (1932–1952)

1932–1935 – Chaco War (vs. Paraguay): Brutal, many deaths, Bolivia defeated

Aftermath

Disillusionment → nationalism, challenges to mining elites, rise of new political movements.

The 1952 Revolution & Reform

National Revolution (1952): Workers, peasants, and middle class overthrew old order.

The 1952 Revolution & Reform - Results

Results: Land reform, nationalization of mines, universal suffrage. Shift toward social justice

Military Regimes & Dictatorships (1964–1982)

Age of Cycle of coups & authoritarianism

Hugo Banzer’s dictatorship (1971–1978):

Censorship, repression, but temporary economic growth

Hugo Banzer’s dictatorship (1971–1978) - Legacy:

Human rights abuses, deepened inequality.

Democratic Transition (1982–2005)

• 1982 – Return to democracy with Hernán Siles Zuazo.

• Multiparty elections, pluralism, but still social inequality and economic crises

Indigenous Leadership & Plurinational State (2006–2019)

• 2006 – Evo Morales elected: First indigenous president.

• Achievements: Economic growth, redistribution, recognition of indigenous rights.

• Tensions: Accusations of authoritarianism, 2019 electoral crisis → Morales resigned .

Crisis & Recomposition (2019–Present)

• 2019 – Transitional government after Morales’ resignation.

• 2020 – Luis Arce (MAS) elected → return of Morales’ party.

• Current challenges: Political divisions, reconciliation, inequality, Amazon protection, education reforms .