Bolivian UprisingsTimeline we will be looking at:
1985 2000 2003 2006
Economic Reforms/Structural Adjustments
Water War (February) Black October/ Gas War Evo Morales takes office as first indigenous president
Some facts to keep in mind:Six Presidents in a period of time of 6 years (2000-2006),4 of them with US University degrees (Neoliberal Mentality)
Bolivia Before Bolivia Now
Important to remember: Pacific War (1879-1883): Bolivia surrendered sea land in 1904
Some Important Background
Bolivia is a multiethnic and very diverse countryThe four main groups in the country are the indigenous peoples (Chquitanos, Guaranis, but mainly Quechua and Aymara), who make up almost 55% of the population; the mestizos of mixed European and indigenous background, who are 30% of the population; persons of European descent, making up 14%; and the approximately 1% Afro-Bolivian community.
Bolivia is one of the least-developed countries in South America. About two-thirds of its people, many of whom are subsistence farmers, live in poverty.
Remember: This two facts are very important as they become key factors contributing to the uprisings and the raise of Evo Morales.
Bolivia’s Economy relies on its Natural Resources The mines in Potosi, Bolivia used to be the biggest
reserves of Silver and Gold in the Americas. However, Potosi’s wealth was exported to Europe during the colonial era. Today, Potosi is one of the poorest cities is Bolivia.
Bolivia’s economy today relies heavily on its oil and gas reserves
Bolivia holds the world’s biggest lithium reserves in the Salt Flats, 3,800 square-miles (World biggest mirror)
Remember: Bolivians have a sentiment of belonging toward their natural resources, and this factor will be key in understanding Black October
Structural Adjustments (1985) Structural adjustments are the policies implemented by the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (the Bretton Woods Institutions) in developing countries. These policy changes are conditions for receiving new loans from the IMF or World Bank or for obtaining lower interest rates on existing loans. Conditions are implemented to ensure that the money lent will be spent in accordance with the overall goals of the loan.
Main Criticism: Treat to National Sovereignty PRIVATIZATION (This in particular will play the key role in starting the
uprisings in Bolivia) (HINT!!! Chalmers Johnson’s X factor)
US War on Drugs The unfortunate fate of the coca leaf:
cocaine production 1989 under George Bush Administration Forced eradication of coca cultivations, this
produced the lost of 150-500 million dollars from the Bolivian economy.
HOWEVER: US failed to understand that: Coca leaf is used by indigenous people for
traditional events and also for other types of consumption such: candy, tea and coca chewing.
Lack of promised development by the US and complaints of human rights violantions started growing an anti-US sentiment among the indigenous population
Structural Programs in Bolivia Implemented in Bolivia under the government of Victor Paz Estenssoro
By 1999, Bolivia’s government had already privatized: Rail Roads Telephone Companies Mines Airlines Natural Gas
BY 2000, THERE WAS A GROWING SENTIMENTAGAINST NEOLIBERAL & CAPITALIST POLICIES AMONG THE POPULATION (Hint: Ted Gurr Relative Deprivation)
AND in the city of Cochabamba they were about to privatize ….
