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Plagued with years of internal strife, El Salvador has a long and bloody history. In recent years, since the nine-year ceasefire, El Salvador is slowly but surely tottering back to its feet.
The stark cultural differences characteristic of most Central American counties is sadly lacking here. Most indigenous culture has been destroyed; first by the colonizers and then the years of civil war that played havoc with the culture, society, economy and politics of the country.
The natural beauty of the country is astounding – majestic hills, lush green terrain and meandering rivers. However, El Salvador has the highest level of environmental damage in Central America, and Nature's bounty is under serious threat of destruction. Its rivers are clouded with pollution and there is large-scale deforestation.
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Historically Speaking
There are traces of the Olmec, Mayas and other ethnic groups such as the Chorti, Lenca and the Pokomame in the architectural history of El Salvador. By the 16th century, the Mayan civilization had collapsed and was replaced by the Pipil who are thought to be descendents of the Náhuatl-speaking Toltecs and Aztecs. The 16th century brought Pedro de Alvarado, a Spanish explorer who claimed the area for his country.
What followed was an era of agricultural boom but social decadence. The Spanish set up large plantations of indigo, balsam and cotton most of which were controlled by 14 dominant European families. Locals and slaves imported from Africa toiled on these lands and lived in inhumane conditions.
A fiery but unsuccessful revolt was organized by Father José Matías Delgado in 1811. It was brutally suppressed by the Spanish but not before the brave priest and staunch patriot was named the father of the country. But with Napoleon challenging the sovereignty of Spain and demands for accession gaining strength in El Salvador, the latter finally gained independence in 1821. Independence, however, did not bring a more equitable society, instead the landed elite continued to yield control over the people. Discontent against this elitist rule saw reflection in the unsuccessful Indian revolt of 1833 led by Anastasio Aquino.
In 1841, with the collapse of the Central American Federation comprising of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and El Salvador, the country acquired the status of a sovereign independent state. But independence saw the birth of a nation with tremendous political and economic instability. Indigo trade plummeted with the invention of synthetic dyes in Europe but traders in El Salvador soon shifted from exporting indigo to caffeine to Europe. Locals were forced by the government to give up their lands to big landowners and all land in El Salvador was soon converted into coffee plantations. The ‘Fourteen Families’ of El Salvador grew stronger and entrenched themselves into the political and economic structure of the country. The locals demonstrated their discontentment in a series of rebellions, all of which were brutally suppressed. Their supremacy continues till date.
The economic depression of the ’30’s deeply affected the economy of the country as the prices for coffee crashed. The alliance among the elite also degenerated and a dictatorship replaced the oligarchic system. The plantation owners as well as the workers felt the crunch and the latter expressed their discontentment through what is one of the bloodiest rebellions in the history of El Salvador. The revolt was brutally suppressed but this was the beginning of the worker’s movement in EL Salvador.
With the rising unrest amongst the lower classes, in 1931, General Maximilano Martinez replaced the president. But 1932 witnessed a wide scale revolution by the farm workers led by Augustin Farabundo Marti, the founder of the communist party. What followed is a gory catalogue of details. The military followed an organized massacre of all peasants involved and even those suspected of being involved in the rebellion. Marti was executed. Martinez remained in power till 1948 when he was deposed.
A certain level of economic stability was achieved by the 1960’s but stability did not mean equality and was achieved at the expense of the working class. Many Salvadorans illegally crossed the border into Honduras to find work. The 1960’s also witnessed the rise of a string rightist movement in the political arena. The ORDEN or "order", a paramilitary force was organized to curb the left parties.
The growing tensions between Honduras and El Salvador came to a head in 1969 when the "Soccer War" broke out. A World Cup soccer match between the two countries sparked off the conflict, hence the name. The sports event only added fuel to a fire that had been fed for years by the on-going border disputes and the illegal immigration of hundreds of Salvadorans into Honduras. Though active war lasted only about four days, relations between the two countries were strained for the next eleven years.
Tensions mounted in the domestic arena as the ORDEN became stronger and manipulated the presidential elections of 1972. Popular tilt was towards Duarte, the leader of the Christian Democratic Party but the elite supported, anti-communist candidate was instead installed as the President. This action resulted in the sudden emergence of a number of guerrilla groups. Later in 1981, these guerrilla groups organized themselves into the FMLN (Farabundo Martipara La Liberación Nacional). The government reacted by organizing ‘dead squads’ who conducted mass massacres and killings and the country was plunged into a bloody civil war. Interested in curbing the leftist movement all over the world, the United States donated large sums of money to the rightist wing indirectly assisting the murder of hundreds of Salvadorans.
The rebels were encouraged with the victory of the revolution Nicaragua and a plan was laid out to attack the government. However, in 1980, just before the attack, one of the main leaders, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated leading to an armed uprising.
In 1982, tired by the rumours of corruption in Durate’s government, popular support extended towards Alfredo Cristiani, the candidate of the right wing or the ARENA (the fourteen families had organized themselves into the Alianza Republicana Nacionalista or ARENA).
In 1992, an accord was signed between the government and the FMLN under UN supervision that has somewhat reduced the tensions between the warring forces in El Salvador. It has brought an end to active war and Salvadorans can now hope for some amount of normalcy in their lives. The 1997 elections have shown the emergence of a more democratic state.
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Habitat
El Salvador is bordered by Guatemala in the north, Honduras in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Its size does not match up to its population: El Salvador is the tiniest country in Central America and but records the maximum density of population in the area.
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The topography is highly uneven and craggy. The chain of volcanoes running across El Salvador from west to east slope is bordered on both sides by plains. Unlike the volcanic formations in the surrounding regions, these mountains are not high but they are active. The terrain dips in the south where it forms a tiny coastal strip. This strip is heavily cultivated and bears many cotton plantations. The highland areas surrounding the volcanic chain offer fertile volcanic soil and are also heavily cultivated. In the north lie the valleys of the Lempa River and Sierra Madre. About 150 rivers traverse the terrain of El Salvador to meet the Pacific Ocean.
However, intensive cultivation and industrialization is threatening the natural environment of the country. El Salvador is the only country in Central America that does not have environment protection laws. According to statistics only 1.5% of the original natural cover remains, the rest being cleared for cultivation or construction. This has had adverse effects on the fauna as well.
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