Paraguay Timeline
Paraguay is a small country in the center of South America. Bolivia, Brasil, and Argentina surround the country causing it to be landlocked. Almost all Paraguayans are of mixed Guarani Indian and Spanish ancestry. Paraguay is a poor country. Its economy is based chiefly on agriculture and forestry.
1500s Spanish settlers began to arrive in the region of Paraguay. They intermarried with the Guarani Indians.
1537 Juan de Ayolas traveled up the Parana and Paraguay Rivers. He had his men build a fort at Asuncion. This became the seat of government for the Spanish colonies in southeastern South America.
1588 Jesuit priests began to arrive in Paraguay. They wanted to convert the Guarani to Roman Catholicism. The Jesuits built mission settlements called reducciones. The taught the Indians skills such as weaving, carpentry, and printing.
1600s-1700s Many colonists felt that Spain neglected the settlement, yet they still had to pay taxes. They began to resent the demands of the mother country.
1730s The Jesuits had built approximately 30 reducciones in Paraguay.
1767 Charles III, the Spanish king, expelled the Jesuits from all Spanish territory. Many colonists felt that the Jesuits had too much power. The reducciones were abandoned.
1776 Spain made Paraguay part of one large colony called the Viceroyalty of La Plata. Buenos Aires, Argentina was the capital. Paraguayans didn't like to take orders from Argentina.
1811 Paraguay declared its independence from Spain.
1814 Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia became the head of the government.
1816 Francia was made the dictator for life. He governed by military force. He prohibited immigration and trade with other countries. Paraguay became completely isolated. However, they developed a strong sense of independence and unity.
1840 Francia died. Carlos Antonio Lopez was chosen to govern the country.
1844 Paraguay adopted a republican constitution. Lopez was named president. He reversed many of Francia's policies.
1862 Lopez died. His son, Francisco Solano Lopez, was elected president with dictatorial powers.
1864 Paraguay went to war with Brazil. Argentina refused to let the Paraguayan army travel through their country, so Lopez declared war on Argentina.
1865 Uruguay joined the war on the side of Brazil and Argentina.
1870 The war ended when Lopez was killed.
1870-1932 Many different political groups fought for control of the government. During this Paraguay had more than 30 presidents.
1932 Paraguay went to war with Bolivia over the ownership of Chaco.
1935 Bolivia and Paraguay signed a truce.
1937 Paraguay received Chaco as part of its territory.
Mid 1900s The government developed programs to encourage farmers to use modern tools and methods.
1939-1945 During World War II the Paraguayan economy improved. The United States provided loans to the country in order to secure their friendship.
1945 Paraguay declared war on Germany and Japan. However, not one troop fought in the war.
1947 Civil War broke out
1947-1993 The National Republican association also called the Colorado Party dominated politics.
1954 The National Republican association also called the Colorado Party dominated politics.
1958-1988 Stroessner was reelected seven times. He used military and police to keep control of the government. Many of the opponents were imprisoned or sent into exile.
1989 During a coup Stroessner was overthrown. General Andres Rodriguez Pedotti became president.
1992 Paraguay adopted its current constitution.
1993 Since this year Paraguay has held regular democratic elections.
1999 Vice President Luis Marai Argana was assassinated. President Raul Cubas Grau and the former army chief, Lino Oviedoio Silva, were blamed for the assassination. Cubas resigned and he and Oviedo fled the country. Luis Gonzalez Macchi became the next president.
Works Cited
Wilkie, Richard W. "Paraguay." Worldbookonline.com.