The Decade of the Seventies in El Salvador: Prelude to Revolution
Abstract
El Salvador is coming to the and of a civil war that cost more than 80,000 lives. This thesis surveys the factors that led to this war and, soon thereafter, to U.S. involvement. The introductory chapter provides background material concerning the historical, economic, social, and political development of El Salvador. The pattern of land tenure, which was dominated by large coffee plantations and concentrated ownership of land in the hands of a few elite, would eventually lead to a politically and economically powerful oligarchy. Oligarchic domination of politics, supported by the military, created a situation that denied the majority of the population access to economic security and political power. This resulted in the political polarization of society and the repression of those expressing discontent. The decade of the 1970s brought the solidification of leftist organizations and the involvement of the military in politics. The coup of 1979 presented a real opportunity for reform and a centrist solution to the polarization of politics. The impact of proclamations and reform policies that a succession of juntas enacted following the 1979 military coup are examined to determine their successes and failures and their impact on the political realm. The paper concludes with the election of 1982, during which civilian politicians were put into power for the first time since 1931.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 05, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA255311
Entities
People
- James R. Crouch Sr.
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College