AMIGOS in Paraguay

The pre-colonial history of Paraguay is marked by the presence of indigenous peoples, particularly the Guarani, who had established intricate societies with distinct cultures, languages, and social organizations. The Guaraní inhabited the region bordered by the Paraguay and Paraná rivers long before Europeans arrived, estimated to be around 2000–1000 BCE. They belonged to the Tupian linguistic group and shared many customs with other indigenous peoples in the tropical forests. Women were engaged in agriculture, growing crops like maize, cassava, beans, and sweet potatoes, while men hunted and fished. These communities were centered around religious and communal practices and operated independently. Living in large, thatched dwellings grouped in villages, they were semi-nomadic and warlike, often fortifying their villages with defensive palisades. In the 15th century, Guaraní tribes faced frequent attacks from raiders of the Gran Chaco region. However, they retaliated fiercely, even venturing into the edges of the Inca empire to confront their enemies. This made them natural allies to early European explorers seeking quicker routes to the mineral riches of Peru.  

Top of FormThe establishment of the first colonial settlements began in the early 16th century with the foundation of the port and stronghold, which would become Asunción del Paraguay, on August 15, 1537, by Juan de Salazar de Espinosa, until the last foundations in the first quarter of the 17th century. The first Spanish colonists, unsuccessful in their quest for gold, settled peacefully among the Guaraní in the Asunción region. The city eventually became the center of Spanish influence in southeastern South America, which came to be known as the "Mother of Cities," as it served as the starting point for the settlement and repopulation of various cities in the region. The colonization strategy included establishing a boundary with Brazil through a line of forts to counter Portuguese expansion, founding villages, settling the Guaraní to provide food, labor, and soldiers, and promoting extensive Guaraní-Spanish intermarriage. This led to the rapid emergence of a national identity blending Indigenous and Spanish cultures. 

The 17th century was characterized by the isolation of the province, the cessation of immigration, yerba mate production, the implementation of the encomienda system, and the organization of indigenous communities. In 1617, during Hernandarias' governorship, the province was divided into two governorates: Paraguay and Buenos Aires. Consequently, Paraguay lost its access to the maritime zone of the Río de la Plata estuary. 

For over 150 years starting in the early 17th century, Jesuit missions in southeastern Paraguay governed the lives of 150,000 Indigenous people in 30 (encomiendas) settlements. These missions were centers of religious conversion, agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, and functioned as strategic outposts against Portuguese expansion. However, they faced challenges from both Portuguese forces and Spanish-Portuguese attacks, leading to the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 and the subsequent decline of the settlements. 

Paraguay gained independence from Spain in 1811, following the May Revolution led by José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. The post-colonial period was marked by political instability, internal conflicts, and territorial disputes. Paraguay experienced a series of wars, including the Paraguayan War (1864-1870), also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, which resulted in significant loss of life and territory for Paraguay. The post-war period saw efforts to rebuild the country's economy and infrastructure, as well as the emergence of political leaders such as Francisco Solano López and Carlos Antonio López. However, political turmoil persisted throughout much of the 20th century, including periods of dictatorship and authoritarian rule. The 1992 constitution established a democratic system, improving the protection of fundamental rights. 

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