El Salvador
This collection features materials about El Salvador,
primarily focusing on its post-colonial period and subsequent civil war. El
Salvador has felt the prolonged effects of colonialism since its independence
in 1821. After independence, the country was governed by wealthy families who
controlled the economic stability of El Salvador. Many of our materials focus
on the freedom fighter Farabundo Marti, who led a popular rebellion in the
1930s but was unsuccessful. Between the 1930s and the 1980s, oppressive regimes
continued to control El Salvador and poverty and political violence was common.
Many opposition parties rose as tensions continued to grow. In 1981 five
revolutionary organizations formed to create Frente Farabundo Marti para La
Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) to begin the first major military offensive against
the government. This led to a civil war that lasted from 1981 to 1992.
Throughout El Salvador’s post-colonial period, the oppressive governments were
backed and financially supported by the U.S. in an effort to protect their corporate
interests, and prevent the spread of communism and Marxism.
Documents
2 Documents Found
![El Salvador: Terror and Hope](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
The terror of the El Salvador government’s armed forces from 1980 to 1990 is discussed. The discussion centers around the murder of the Arch Bishop of Oscar Ramiro and other members of the clergy within the Catholic church. The Catholic church’s alleged connection to the Salvadoran Armed Opposition (FMLN), through its assistance to the poor that had been ravaged by government bombings, is also examined. Primary accounts of torture by the government by a few people are also available.
![Interview With Ramon Cordona](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Call Number: LA 100Collection: El Salvador
Beginning with some children singing, this tape segues a few minutes in to an interview with Ramon Cordona, a representative of the FMLN to the United States. He tells the story of his humble beginnings and experiences with the FMLN, the construction of the FMLN forces, history of El Salvador and other issues of injustice in the war-torn country.
2 Documents Found