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By Ann Antkiw (EXPLORING COSTA RICA 2006 - THE TICO TIMES)
WELCOME TO PARADISE; A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK
COSTA
RICA is a tiny country famous for its
enlightened approach Towards democracy, advocacy, steadfast development and
stability. Over the years Costa Ricans have carved a haven of peace and
prosperity in a region often tormented by civil conflict. Historical events,
visionary leaders, the abolition of the army, plus the people's distinctive
characteristics and ambivalence are the catalysts that have made Costa Rica, "Rich Coast"
in Spanish, the exceptional nation it is today.
1869-1890: General Tomas
Guardi; revises the constitution, establishing free compulsory education in
1869. He over throws the government in 1870, rules for 13 years and is
responsible for initiating forces that shape the liberal-democratic state. He
abolishes capital punishment, curbs the power of coffee barons, and uses
earnings and taxation to finance roads and public buildings. U.S. entrepreneur Minor Keith ii contracted to
build a railroad linking San Jose to the Caribbean coast in exchange for a land grant on both
sides of the track. It takes 20 years to build. Keith cultivates bananas using
West Indian and Asian laborers brought to work the railroad Bananas flourish
and displace coffee as major export.
The first democratic elections are held in 1889 and the
opposition party wins. The country becomes
the only true democracy in Central America.
The railroad is inaugurated in 1890 and nine years later Minor Keith founds
the United Fruit Company.
1914-1939: World War I followed by the Great Depression cuts short
booming export trade. Social injustice becomes at issue and in 1917 Minister of
War Federico Tinoco overthrows the democratically elected president and forms a
dictatorship. After opposition from the people, he’s exiled. During the 1930s
conditions deteriorate rapidly; the country is on the verge o revolution. The
Communist Party becomes the voice of the workers.
1940-1948: Rafael Angel Calderon is elected president (1940). Radical
social reforms undercut Communist support and continue during Teodoro Picado's
administration (1944-1948). With support from Catholic Church and Communist
Party socialized medicine, housing and child welfare programs, minimum wage
laws, the right to unionize and a university system are implemented.
1948-1949: Calderon, seeking a second refuses to hand over power when
the lection process is declared fraudulent. His opponent Otilio Ulate accepts
defeat. Outraged citizens join "The National Liberation Army," led
by still-revered Jose "Pepe" Figueres. A month of armed conflict
ends when Figueres promises to hand over power after 18 months. The Communist
Party is banned, Calderon exiled and "The National Liberation Army"
becomes the National Liberation Party. On December 1, 1949, Figueres's interim
government abolishes the army. They nationalize public utilities, the banking
system and declare it mandatory that all citizens, 18 and over, vote in
elections held every four years. Women and blacks finally receive the vote.
1950-1999: Solidarity, plus post-war economic boom, result in peaceful
prosperity, encouragement of private enterprise and expansion of the welfare
state. Disease hits banana plantations, thousands unemployed. Tensions with Nicaragua reach
a climax when dictator Anastasio Somoza and exiled Calderon attempt an armed
rebellion that fails. In 1972 during Figueres's third and final presidency,
global rise in coffee prices brings influx of capital, infrastructure
investment. The coffee market collapses in 1979. Economic crisis ensues when
country is unable to meet debt obligations. Stabilization is restored with enforcement
of currency regulations, controlled inflation, financial constraints.
Prominence hits Costa Rica in 1987, when President
Oscar Arias wins Nobel Peace Prize for formulating a Central American Peace
Plan. The country feels proud: the national soccer team reaches second round of
the 1990 World Cup. Swimmer Claudia Poll wins country's first Olympic gold
medal. Famous astronaut Franklin Chang makes return visits to space.
In 1990, Rafael Angel Calderon, son of the 1940s great
reformer, succeeds Arias. His father's adversary, "Pepe" Figueres,
dies that year and ironically it's Calderon's duty to declare a day of
mourning. In 1994, Jose Maria, Pepe's son, succeeds the younger Calderon, this
time without the use of force. Presidents Jose Maria Figueres and his successor
Miguel Angel Rodriguez face the problem of adapting to the modern world,
establishing new social reforms and maintaining traditions.
2000-2004: New millennium brings many changes. Proposed Central
American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with United States sparks civil unrest.
President Abel Pacheco, elected 2002, is plagued massive demonstrations,
ministerial resignations, corruption scandals, strikes and demands for higher
wages by every sector of society, plus disgust against his supp0t of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Former President Oscar Arias'
attempt to overturn ban on presidential reelection is successful. Tibetan
spiritual leader XIV Dalai Lama's visit brings message of peace. Despite the
problems the afflict the country, Costa Rica
still remains the most economically stable, democratic peace-loving nation in Central America.
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Do you like to know what happened in the 18 centuries before 1869?
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