4516: Bolivian national cultures

Colonial experience; Tambin la lluvia / Even the rain (2010)

Bolivia -- A chronology of key events

1538 - Spanish conquer Bolivia, which becomes part of the Vice-royalty of Peru. 1545 - Silver Mountain, or Cerro Rico, discovered at Potosi in the southwest, providing Spain with immense wealth. [1780-82 Great Indigenous Rebellion, led by Tupac Amaru & Tupac Katari] 1824 - Venezuelan freedom fighter Simon Bolivar, after whom Bolivia is named, liberates the country from Spanish rule. 1825 - Bolivia becomes independent with Simon Bolivar as its president. 1879-84 - Bolivia becomes landlocked after losing mineral-rich, coastal territory in the Atacama to Chile. 1932-35 - Bolivia loses territory to Paraguay after it is defeated in the Chaco War. [National Revolution [1952] &] Military coups [ /]

Colonial experience
Spanish Colonization:

Highlands
From Peru (Lima, Cuzco) Concentrated Andean communities Two Republics: Indians / Spaniards Encomienda; mita; ayllu or indigenous community From the River Plate region Fewer riches (i.e.: minerals or spices) Nomadic peoples Exception: Jesuit Missions, as larger colonization outposts

Lowlands

Colonial State
Spanish King Viceroy Conquistadors Exploration & expansion Colonial cities (7 capital cities in Bolivia founded between 1538 and 1606) Silver mining-- mita Agriculture encomienda Administration: Viceroyalties, Audiencias, corregidores, caciques

Jesuit Missions
Caught between the Spanish & Portuguese empires Offered alternative to nomadic life Prosperous economically Jesuits had material and spiritual control of the Indians under their charge Members of the state and slave-traders resented the Jesuits Expulsion (extraamiento) of the Jesuits (1767)

Late colonial society & independence

Hardening of the Colonial / Imperial system (Bourbon reforms):
increased control and exploitation Further discrimination against criollos Additional taxes and hardship Repartimientos Apportionments

Great Indigenous Rebellions (1780-82) Enlightenment ideals (US Indepdendence; French Revolution, etc)

Independence in LA
1808: no legitimate King / loss of imperial center Multiple claims on legitimate rule 1809-1825; except Cuba & Puerto Rico (1898) Liberators (Sucre & Bolvar; San Martn; etc) Social revolution or elite change? Attempts to establish liberal nations How do colonies become nations? What will Latin American nations look like?