 | This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference.
Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump. |
Portal:Paraguay/Selected article/2
The
Chaco War (1932–1935) was fought between
Bolivia and
Paraguay over control of the northern part of the
Gran Chaco region (the Chaco Boreal) of
South America, which was incorrectly thought to be rich in
oil. It is also known as
La Guerra de la Sed (Spanish for "War of Thirst") for being fought in the
semi-arid Chaco. It was the bloodiest military conflict fought in South America during the 20th century. The war pitted two of South America's poorest countries both having previously lost territories to neighbors in 19th century wars. During the war both countries faced difficulties in obtaining arms and other supplies since their
landlocked situation made their
foreign trade and arms purchases dependent on the willingness of neighboring countries to let them pass by. In Particular Bolivia faced external trade problems coupled with poor
internal communications. While Bolivia had income from lucrative mining and a better equipped and larger army than Paraguay, a series of factors turned the tide in favour of Paraguay which came by the end of the war to control most of the disputed zone, and was finally also granted the largest portion of the disputed territories in the peace treaties. (
Full article...)
Portal:Paraguay/Selected article/3
A
Jesuit Reduction was a type of settlement for
indigenous people in
Latin America created by the
Jesuit Order during the 17th and 18th centuries. In general, the strategy of the Spanish Empire was to gather native populations into centers called
Indian Reductions (
reducciones de indios), in order to
Christianize, tax, and govern them more efficiently. The Jesuit interpretation of this strategy was implemented primarily in an area that corresponds to modern day
Paraguay amongst the
Tupi-
Guaraní peoples. Later reductions were extended into areas now part of
Argentina,
Brazil, and
Bolivia.
Jesuit reductions were different from the reductions in other regions because the indigenous people (Indians) were expected to convert to Christianity but not necessarily to European culture. Under the leadership of both the Jesuits and native caciques, the reductions achieved a high degree of autonomy within the Spanish colonial empire. With the use of Indian labour, the reductions became economically successful. When their existence was threatened by the incursions of Bandeirante slave traders, Indian militia were created that fought effectively against the colonists. The resistance by the Jesuit reductions to slave raids, as well as their high degree of autonomy and economic success, have been cited as contributing factors to the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Americas in 1767. The Jesuit reductions present a controversial chapter of the evangelisational history of the Americas, and are variously described as jungle utopias or as theocratic regimes of terror. (Full article...)
