Patrick Safie
Professor Faulcon
HUM-2220
02 December 2018
El Salvador’s History
El Salvador is a country located on the Pacific Coast, it is actually the smallest country in Central America with the highest population. During presidency of Barack Obama, the United States of America agreed and signed a foreign policy that would focus on the economic growth, energy, climate control and regional and citizen security (Foreign Policy, 2012).
In the late 1500’s the first settlers settled in an area near the Gulf of Fonseca, this territory would later be known as El Salvador. Soon after the territory was conquered by the Spanish ruler King Charles I in 1524 until their independence in 1838 (Background 2012). Struggling with the independence this new nation was curse with constant revolutions and over-turning of the governments (Background, 2012). It was situated in the middle of the fresh region called “Central America” this sovereign state had neither resources nor growing economy, whereas other nations had industries to depend on once the colonial power leaves this nation was forced to start from zero.
In the beginnings of the twentieth century, El Salvador seems to establish a viable government and began to rebuild its economy. Then, later on there was an economic crisis of the 1930’s which occurs and the international markets plummeted and so did El Salvador. Externally, El Salvador was not a huge contender in the global markets, but internally the social, political and economic environment in El Salvador was tense. In 1932 the peasant workers in the rural countryside raised up against the land elites (Benavides, 2008). The government responded with was referred or known as “La Matanzas” [The Slaughter], many were killed, jailed or exiled (Benavides, 2008). Ruled by Military dictatorship the people feared the government and the events of “La Matanzas” justified their feelings. While the Military government was maintaining their power they would oppress the people and use “La Matanza” as an example on what they should continue to with the status quo. For a few decades the Military coup would succeed the people would continue to live in fear, poverty, and regret.
In the next few decades, the nation of El Salvador seemed relatively peaceful and the United States would maintain their stance as a neutral ally. With the issues surrounding the Cold War and the United States always in fear of a nuclear war, the United States remained focus on their containment policy and would not get involved unless the threat of communism was an issue. Meanwhile, the people living in El Salvador were faced with famine; impoverish living conditions, no education nor any advancement in life. The dreadful positions the people faced led to the upcoming generations to mobilize and build an opposition. The success of the communist/guerilla fighters also known as the Sandinista in Nicaragua would set the tone that freedom and change can happen (Stanley, 2006). Although, the success of their neighboring country would be at the defeat of the United States the guerilla fighters in El Salvador were confident that if they were to band together their outcome could be the same. The United States on the other hand knew that with the victory of the Sandinistas that they needed to observe the internal workings of El Salvador and if need be intervene for the fear is that another country would fall to the hands of Communism (Stanley, 2006).
By the 1970s the environment within El Salvador was chaotic. The people and the government were in constant conflict, the students were protesting against the Military and the working class was creating an opposition; by the late seventies the opposition had a strong following and were calling themselves the “Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front” (FMLN) also known as Frente Farabundo Martı´ para la Liberacion Nacional (Stanley, 2006). With the support of the Sandinistas FMLN was growing stronger and in the early 1980s the FMLN was in full combat against the Government (Stanley, 2006) (Wolf, 2009). The 1980s Government was controlled by the PNC party. Starting to be defenseless the PNC Party was losing ground and allowing the FMLN to gain more territory and recruits. This fumed the Military and caused the General Major Roberto D’Aubuisson to assemble the Salvadorian elite class and form a new party called Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) in which they focused on controlling the FMLN guerillas and warranting that the impoverish population remain in their class structure. Worried with the power of the masses some of the Military officials that were also a part of the ARENA party were leading so-called death squads that were not only killing FMLN guerrillas but innocence people (Wolf, 2009). This created mass hysteria which caused many Salvadorians to migrate north to United States and elsewhere.
With Nicaragua controlled by the Communist party called Sandinistas the United States officials started to become increasingly worried that the Salvadorian Government might fall (Wolf, 2009). Unlike the Presidents before him, President Reagan took an interest in El Salvador to protect the United States interest and contain the spread of Communist (Papp, 2005). Even if the early 1980s election showed that the conservative party won the election and the government the United States was determined not to lose another country to communist (Papp, 2005). This marked the beginning of the United States interest and will solidify the relationship between El Salvador and the United States. Entering the 1990s with the El Salvador’s civil war continuing with no sight of slowing down and the communist party still at full force the United States took the position of not only funding the ally side, but to send in troops and diplomats to stride for a peaceful resolution. Strategically and successfully the United States was able to commence a peaceful agreement with both sides [Salvadorian government & guerrilla group, FMLN] settling their differences and agreeing to stop fighting. The United States intervention was a success; however the country of El Salvador was so devastated from the war that the political, economic, and social structures were dismantled. It would take years and several allies to help rebuild the nation. In addition to the detrimental loss of lives and homes cause mass migrations to the north and created large number of refugees seeking asylum in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere (Hobby, 2007).
The United States was indifferent on the migration issue, while president Carter welcome and granted asylums to those seeking stability in the United States President Reagan chose to send the people back and refuse permitting them to stay (Hobby, 2007). Despite the variance in policies with the United States the people did not stop coming and with the haunting memories of the war it made the decision to leave even easier.
The election of the ARENA candidates in 1994 and 2000 marked a pivotal moment in the rebuilding of El Salvador. It revealed that while the civil war had ended the affluent population in El Salvador still held the majority in government (Hobby, 2007). The United States did not address the inner workings of the elections; yet were just pleased that the external view of the election showed that the country was working in a democratic fashion. Despite the fact that the communist party was gaining members in the legislative body its momentum was slow. Externally, the nation of El Salvador was rebuilding its economy and strengthening its trade agreement within Latin America and the United States. Additionally, the country was making great strides in the global community; it became a member of the World Trade Organization in 1995, where the United States of America represented 48.5% of its exports (Understanding the WTO: Membership & Observers, 2012). In contrast with other trading allies the U.S. consumes a bulk of El Salvador goods which explains why the relationship between the two nations is admirable. Also, through the trade agreements set-forth between the two nations and regulated by the WTO signifies the U.S. Foreign Policy and idealistic approach. Moreover, the country has borrowed from the International Monetary Fund, but is in good standing as of the Press Releases dated in third quarter of 2011 (El Salvador- Third Quarter Review of Stand by Arrangement, 2011). Similar to the outlook of their strongest ally, United States of America, El Salvador joined the United Nations in 1945. It has since been dedicated to building coalitions, establishing open markets with outside investors, supporting the humanitarian effort led by the United Nations and elsewhere (Filosophia). As an active member in many international government organizations El Salvador has also needed to trust the faith of nongovernmental organization to come into their borders and assist in natural and unnatural disasters like Hurricane Ida which destroyed rural areas and left people without resources (El Salvador: MSF Responds in Wake of Devastating Floods, 2009).
It is apparent through the history of El Salvador, political restructure pre and post-civil war of the 1980s and the continual support of allies along with memberships of pertinent organizations globally that El Salvador has increase its economic interdependence as well as mobilized itself as faithful contender in the global economy.