Paraguay

Abstract

HISTORY. Paraguay gained independence from Spain on 14 May 1811. In 1814 Dr José Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia was elected dictator, and in 1816 perpetual dictator, by the National Assembly. He died 20 Sept. 1840. In 1844 a new constitution was adopted, under which Carlos Antonio Lopez (first elected in 1842, died 10 Sept. 1862) and his son, Francisco Solano Lopez, ruled until 1870. During the devastating war against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay (1865–70) Paraguay’s population was reduced from about 600,000 to 232,000. Argentina, in Aug. 1942, and Brazil, in May 1943, voided the reparations which Paraguay had never paid. Further severe losses were incurred during the war with Bolivia (1932–35) over territorial claims in the Chaco. A peace treaty by which Paraguay obtained most of the area her troops had conquered was signed in July 1938.