210 likes | 488 Views
Bolivia. Map. Flag. Meaning of the flag: red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes yellow for the nation's mineral resources green for the fertility of the land. About Bolivia. GDP (per capita)- $4 800
E N D
Flag Meaning of the flag: red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes yellow for the nation's mineral resources green for the fertility of the land
About Bolivia • GDP (per capita)- $4 800 • Main Exports- Soyabeans, natural gas, zinc, silver, lead, tin, antimony, wood, sugar • Population- 10.1 million • Life Expectancy- 65.16 years • Capital City- Sucre • La Paz is sometimes referred to as the capital city
Bolivia’s History • Before being colonized, Bolivian territory was part of the Inca domain • Bolivia was colonized in the 16th century by the Spaniards • Due to large indigenous population, few African slaves were imported • Spaniard and indigenous cultures mixed
1809 • Bolivia declared independence from Spain • Provoking a 16 year war between the two countries • Bolivia gained its independence on August 6th, 1825
The Struggle for Independence • Between 1808 and 1810 unsuccessful revolts were being led against the Spaniards in Upper Peru (part of modern day Bolivia) • Next seven years, Upper Peru was a battle ground • General Pedro Antonio de Olañeta and SimonBolivarweretwogreatrevolutionariesfor Bolivia
General Pedro Antonio de Olañeta • Led a conservative party • Supported Simon Bolivar
Simon Bolivar • Born in Venezeuela, 1783 • Freedom fighter • Military commander • Lead a series of South American revolutions • Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezeuela were lead to freedom by him • George Washington was one of his heroes growing up
Inspired by American Revolution and French Revolution • Bolivia was named after him • Bolivia’s first president but gave the role to Lieutenant Sucre
After the Revolution • Great debt due to the wars of independence • Mining industry declined • Agriculture productivity was inefficient, forced to import food • Payments made to Peru for supplying the army of liberation • Reform policies were attempted to be put in place (distribution of land, etc.)
The National Revolution of Bolivia • 1952 • A military junta refused to give up power in the 1951 election • HernanSilesZuazo was in charge of a revolt • Revolutionaries won after a few days of fighting • Radical political movement. Popular support and legitimacy for the elections
In Summary • Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR). Denied victory in the 1951 presidential elections • The MNR led a successful revolution in 1952. • Under President Victor Paz Estenssoro, the MNR introduced universal adult suffrage, carried out a sweeping land reform, promoted rural education, and nationalized the country’s largest tin mines.
Bolivia Seen Today • Type of government is republic • It is one of the least developed in South America • Oil and gas production reflected a GDP increase of 7.9%
Sources • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bl.html • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1210487.stm • http://www.boliviabella.com/colonial.html • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B25aZxSl-Kc&feature=related • http://countrystudies.us/bolivia/8.htm • http://motherearthtravel.com/history/bolivia/history-5.htm • http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/bolivia52.htm • http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35751.htm