COLOMBIA

Introduction

Geography

Regions– Andes– Atlantic Coast– Pacific Coast– Jungle (Leticia Corridor)

People Population (35 million - 2005) Ethnicity

Caucasians (relatively more than in other Latin American countries)

Mestizos – Largest demographic group – Predominate in highlands

Indians (highlands and jungle) Mulattos - African-Colombians

– Primarily on the coasts

Cartagena: Fortress of Spanish America

Bogota – Not quite a Primate City

Other Cities of Colombia

Medellin: industry Cali: Gateway to the Pacific Baranquilla: Caribbean commerce Bucamaranga: vibrant city of the interior

Leticia: Colombia’s Window on the Amazon River

Great Depression gives rise to Liberal hegemony Historic struggle between Liberals and

Conservatives– Pro-clerical– Dominate until the Great Depression

State intervention in economy under Alfonso López Pumarejo– Anti-clerical – Majority party since the Great Depression

Return of the Conservatives

1946-53

1946 election of Mariano Ospina Pérez (Conservative) – La Violencia begins in 1946– 14,000 killed in 1947 alone

1948 assassination of Jorge Gaitán leads to

Bogotazo State of siege

declared by civilian government

Civilian politicians lose their legitimacy

Dictatorship of Gen. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla 1953-

57 Conservative split Liberal support for

military intervention July 13, 1953

military Golpe Progress in

pacification

Colombian Military: anti-oligarchy accent takes

hold

Amnesty for Communists Pacification of countryside leads to

sympathy for the peasants Beginnings of military populism Economic crisis and suspension of

credit by World Bank leads to removal

The National Front Created by Alberto Lleras Camargo (Liberal)

and Laureano Gómez (Conservative) Stipulations

– Alternation– Parity in congress, cabinet, governors mayors– No new parties– Merit in lower civil service– Two-thirds majority in congress to pass

legislation

Period of National Front Rule

Liberals– Alberto Lleras Camargo (1958-62)– Carlos Lleras Restrepo (1966-70)

Conservatives– Guillermo Leon Valencia (1962-66)– Misael Pistrana Borrero (1970-74)

ANAPO and the End of the National Front

Rojas wins in the cities but official returns claim that he lost

Rojas: aged and in poor health – Acquiesces to defeat – ANAPO institutionalized as a political party – Transfer of leadership to daughter María

Eugenia

End of National Front

National Front dissolves in 1974 Behind the scenes cooperation

continues between Liberals and Conservatives