User:Carwil/1952 Bolivian National Revolution

The 1952 Bolivian Revolution, popularly known as the National Revolution (Revolución Nacional) marked a major historic shift in Bolivian politics. It inaugurated a period of rule by the Nationalist Revoultionary Movement (MNR), which lasted from April 9, 1952, to November 4, 1964. Over those twelve years, the MNR led a process of modernization which changed the political, economic, and social direction of the country.

The revolution led to several of the largest fundamental changes in public participation in Bolivian life. Firstly, this came through the redistribution of land through an agrarian reform that did away with the regime of landlord rule in the west of the country. Second, the indigenous-peasant majority and women were incorporated for the first time into the national political scene by the establishment of universal suffrage. The state took control of natural resources, nationalizing the largest industry of tin mining, and became central to the Bolivian economy. It was a social revolution that was on a level with the Mexican revolution and which predated the Cuban revoultion. It was carried out amid the Cold War and was the only social revolution which counted on the support of the United States.

Seizure of power
The MNR won the 1951 elections. Immediately, a military junta, backed by the mining oligarchy, was formed to prevent them from arriving to power. In the face of this Army reaction, the Corps of Caribineros and Police had a key role in beginning the revolt that would later win the backing of the population and the miners who arrived at the Milluni mine.

On April 9, 1952, this Corp was mobilized by the Interior Minister, General Antonio Seleme Vargas, to take over strategic institutions, including the prefectures (departmental governments) and military barracks throughout the country. In the city of La Paz,during the early morning hours, the Captain Zeballos and July 21 Regiments, the Departmental Police Brigade, Carabinero and Police School cadets, and the General Directorate of Caribineros and Police, all of which had arms and ammunition, mobilized to take over strategic zones. These forces distributed arms to MNR civilian cadres and well as volunteers. Army Captain Israel Téllez led the capture of the Plaza Antofagasta arsenal, and distributed arms to civilian combatants. Armed miners marched on La Paz and blocked troops on their way to reinforce the city. Estimates of the death toll range from 500 to 3,000.

Before General Seleme resigned his post and turned over leadership, a "Revolutionary Government" was formed on April 10, with Hernán Siles Zuazo at its head, alongside Juan Lechin Oquendo. The two were carried on the shoulders of a massive crowd of Bolivian workers to the Palacio Quemado, where they assumed power until the return of MNR leader Víctor Paz Estenssoro, who was in exlie in Buenos Aires.