Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia 1871 CE

What is happening in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in 1871CE

Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador have been ruled by numerous caudillos, or military strongmen. In Peru, general Ramon Castilla finally imposed political stability and economic progress between 1845 and 1862. Since his time, however, political instability has returned.

In Bolivia, none of the caudillos have been able to solve the problem of economic stagnation and chronic poverty amongst the majority of the population. In Ecuador, years of civil war and military dictatorships have seen power alternating between the conservative landowning ruling class, based in Quito, and the liberal mercantile classes of the coast, based in the port of Guayaquil. This period of chaos culminated in the autocratic rule of Garcia Moreno (1860-75), who has tried to use the Catholic Church to unite the country.

Along the Pacific coast of Peru and Bolivia, a highly profitable nitrate industry has grown up. This is controlled by foreign corporations – Chilean, British, North Americans. In the highlands, too, the traditional silver mining industry is now being revived by foreign (mainly Chilean and British) investments.

Next map, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in 1914