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History of El Salvador

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There is evidence that the Olmec were present in El Salvador from as early as 2000 BC. The step-pyramid ruins located at San Andres and Tazumal also indicate that the Maya resided in western El Salvador for 1000 years or more. Other groups that occupied the eastern part of the country comprise the Lenca, Chorti, and Pokomam.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the inhabitants of El Salvador were predominately the Pipil Indians, offspring of the Aztecs and Toltecs, who probably journeyed to the area in the 11th century, right after the Maya dynasty collapsed. Their culture was influenced by a maize-based agricultural economy that sustained several cities and a multifaceted culture.

Spain staked its claim to El Salvador by the conquistador, Pedro de Alvarado. In 1525, Pedro de Alvarado, a lieutenant of Cortés, subjugated the country of El Salvador. The Spanish cultivated plantations of cotton, indigo, and balsam in the country. The agriculture soared during the 1700s, although a group of fourteen prestigious European families retained power of the majority of the land.

El Salvador was able to announce its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821, together with the other countries of Central America. For decades after declaring its independence, El Salvador endured frequent revolutions and wars in opposition to other Central American states. Unfortunately, the country was under the rule of a chain of military dictatorships from 1931 to 1979.

One of the most notable of El Salvador's oppositions against another Central American state is the "football war" with the country of Honduras. In 1969, El Salvador marched into Honduras in response to Honduran landowners deporting several thousand Salvadorans. The war lasted four days and became known as the "football war" due to the fact that it began at a soccer game between the two countries.

The United States became involved in the country in the 1970s. For years El Salvador had endured increased landlessness, a poor economy marked by unemployment and overpopulation, societal inequalities, and tyrannical measures of dictatorship ruled since 1961 by the right-wing National Conciliation Party (PCN). The United States assisted the military dictatorship. Regrettably, between the years of 1979 and 1981, nearly 30,000 people died, killed by right-wing death squads, who had the power of the military behind them.

During the years of 1984 to 1989, José Napoleón Duarte was president. He presented an option to the political extremes of right and left, however, Duarte in himself was not able to end the war. In 1989, Alfredo Cristiani, who belonged to the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), was elected. Finally, the government signed a peace treaty with the opposing guerilla forces on January 16, 1992. This brought an official end to the twelve-year civil war in which 75,000 civilians died.

Unfortunately, many Salvadorans did not view their present state to be any better than it was preceding the civil war. Poverty, unemployment, and a high number of guns in the country piloted the way for a high homicide rate. Hence, it may come as no surprise to know that approximately 20% of Salvadorans presently live out of the country.

Although the civil war had ended, El Salvador was not finished experiencing its share of troubles as a country. Natural disaster soon hit the country in 1998. Hurricane Mitch stormed through El Salvador, leaving over 30,000 homeless and 200 dead. Earthquakes were next to hit the country in January and February 2001. These major earthquakes destroyed nearly 20% of the country's housing. Things got even worse during the summer of 2001 when a severe drought ruined 80% of El Salvador's crops. The result was a famine in the countryside.

In 2005, El Salvador sanctioned a free-trade agreement with the United States. Today El Salvador's name still brings to mind images of the vicious civil war that pillaged the country in the 1980s amidst the mountains and farmlands. The people of El Salvador are glad to know this most violent feature of El Salvador's history is over today.

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