Bolivian History?

Question

Was Bolivia ever under colonial rule, if so, by whom and for how long?

Also, what effects of imperialism is there?

All help is GREATLY appreciated!! =]

Answer 1

From 1532 until 1809 the Spanish ruled Bolivia and, like man other colonial powers raped it of much of its natural wealth (particularly silver). Though independence was declared in 1809 a bitter struggle followed and the new republic of Bolivia was only proclaimed in 1825. The man who led the struggle, Simon Bolivar gives Bolivia its name today (it was previously Upper Peru).

The legacy of the Spanish has left the country with some stunning architecture in the way of churches and old colonial mansions but they were not great colonial masters in terms of building infrastructure and preparing a country for democracy. Bolivia certainly had (and so far as I know still has) the record for the most coup's in the word. All leaders had been from the minority population who are of Spanish colonial dissent until last year when an indigenous Indian was elected. He has taken a very left wing stance, a political direction that is new to Bolivia.

Most people remain extremely poor, many do not earn more than a dollar a day. Poverty is endemic and proportionally to most other countries on the continent infant mortality is high and life expectancy low.

It is a fascinating country but the history is tragically sad and the future, particularly with the current anti American stance, is not great.

Hope this helps whet your appetite to find out more, there is lots of more detailed reports on line. The attached will get you started.