'Ecuador's History' History

lordlance from nowherelandia - 01/11/08 14:09

The coastal region and the high Andean basins of what is now Ecuador were inhabited by Indian tribes when the first Europeans reached the area's Pacific coast in 1526. The Inca Empire extended over the highland region to an area near to Quito. The first Spanish settlement in Ecuador was established in 1534 at Quito on the site of an important Inca town of the same name. Another settlement was established four years later near the mouth of the river Guayas on the site of Guayaquil. Expeditions initaited by Francisco Pizarro, who discovered and conquered Peru, founded the settlements and extended Spanish rule over the highland basins and coastal lowlands. Ecuador was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru until 1740, when it was transferred to the Viceroyalty of New Granada (together with Colombia and Venezuela). With hardly any gold or silver, Ecuador did not attract many Europeans settlers during the Spanish colonial period, which lasted until 1822.

The first uprising against Spanish rule took place in 1809, but only in 1822 did Ecuador gain independence as part of the Federation of Gran Colombia, from which it withdrew in 1830. A long period of strife and instability followed, caused mainly by struggles between conservative and liberal elements, clerical and anticlerical movements, and large landowners and owners of small farms or platations. The country was run by dictators, and the army palyed an important role in internal politics. During the first century of its independence, Ecuador had changed its contitutions 13 times and only few of its presidents had managed to serve a full four-year term.

The economic development associated with the cocoa boom at the end of the nineteenth and the first querter of the twentieth century helped to improve and stabilize the country's administration, despite the frequent turnover in rulers -18 presidents between 1897 and 1934- and 25 presidents between 1934 and 1988.

Comment #1 Lenny (63.176.159.154) - 11/07/08 08:53

This site has information on the Complete history of Ecuador dating back to 12, 000 BC. So enjoy.

• History of Ecuador

Comment #2 steven (63.176.159.47) - 12/08/08 13:56

that website gave me everything i need for my report. thank you.

Comment #3 Shauna (63.176.159.110) - 01/07/09 00:29

This website was very helpful for my college paper. I could just use this one website for all my research and did not have to take out extra time to find our more information. thanks for the link to the site.

Comment #4 Net Scourge (63.176.159.75) - 04/28/09 16:38

Here's more:

The tribes in the northern highlands of Ecuador formed the Kingdom of Quito around 1000. It was absorbed, by conquest and marriage, into the Inca Empire. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro conquered the land in 1532, and throughout the 17th century a Spanish colony thrived by exploitation of the Indians. The first revolt against Spain occurred in 1809. In 1819, Ecuador joined Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama in a confederacy known as Greater Colombia.

When Greater Colombia collapsed in 1830, Ecuador became independent. Revolts and dictatorships followed; it had 48 presidents during the first 131 years of the republic. Conservatives ruled until the revolution of 1895 ushered in nearly a half century of Radical Liberal rule, during which the church was disestablished and freedom of worship, speech, and press was introduced. Although it was under military rule in the 1970s, the country did not experience the violence and repression characteristic of other Latin American military regimes. Its last 30 years of democracy, however, have been largely ineffectual because of a weak executive branch and a strong, fractious Congress.

Peru invaded Ecuador in 1941 and seized a large tract of Ecuadoran territory in the disputed Amazon region. In 1981 and 1995 war broke out again. In May 1999, Ecuador and Peru signed a treaty ending the nearly 60-year border dispute.

• Ecuador History

Comment #5 Tanya (109.111.97.12) - 07/04/10 23:25

All of those information are great most especially for those who have a school paper to submit that has the history of the beautiful Ecuador as their topic. And also, all of those info would be great for those who loves the country very well. If you can all share here some important information and details, kindly keep them all posted. All of those posts would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

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