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
United Freedom Front Communique #9
Publisher: United Freedom FrontDate: 8/21/1984Volume Number: 21-AugFormat: CommuniqueCollection: El Salvador
Communique from the United Freedom Front claiming responsibility for the bombing of General Electric offices of the aerospace strategic planning and aircraft division in New York. At the time, GE was the fourth largest military contractor to the United States and their products were involved in bombing of civilian populations, human rights violations and mass murders.
