Andrew Sage

Even today, most of the population speaks some variety of Guarani alongside Spanish. Fast forward to the early 19th century, as South American nations began declaring independence from Spain, Paraguay took a unique approach.

Rather than aligning with the neighboring revolutionary movements, Paraguay, under the leadership of José Gaspar Rodríguez de la Defensia, declared independence in 1811 and adopted an isolationist authoritarian path. Francia ruled as the country's supreme dictator for nearly three decades, envisioning a self-sufficient, hermetic society.

Rather than aligning with the neighboring revolutionary movements, Paraguay, under the leadership of José Gaspar Rodríguez de la Defensia, declared independence in 1811 and adopted an isolationist authoritarian path. Francia ruled as the country's supreme dictator for nearly three decades, envisioning a self-sufficient, hermetic society.

Rather than aligning with the neighboring revolutionary movements, Paraguay, under the leadership of José Gaspar Rodríguez de la Defensia, declared independence in 1811 and adopted an isolationist authoritarian path. Francia ruled as the country's supreme dictator for nearly three decades, envisioning a self-sufficient, hermetic society.

He strictly controlled foreign influences, banned European migration, and restricted trade. By the mid-19th century, Paraguay had built up a significant state infrastructure under Francia's successor, Carlos Antonio López.

He strictly controlled foreign influences, banned European migration, and restricted trade. By the mid-19th century, Paraguay had built up a significant state infrastructure under Francia's successor, Carlos Antonio López.

He strictly controlled foreign influences, banned European migration, and restricted trade. By the mid-19th century, Paraguay had built up a significant state infrastructure under Francia's successor, Carlos Antonio López.

However, this era of economic development was short-lived as Paraguay entered the catastrophic War of the Triple Alliance between 1864 and 1870 against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay over territorial disputes. This conflict proved disastrous for Paraguay as they suffered staggering losses. Nearly 70% of its population died, its economy was shattered, and its territory was significantly reduced.

However, this era of economic development was short-lived as Paraguay entered the catastrophic War of the Triple Alliance between 1864 and 1870 against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay over territorial disputes. This conflict proved disastrous for Paraguay as they suffered staggering losses. Nearly 70% of its population died, its economy was shattered, and its territory was significantly reduced.

However, this era of economic development was short-lived as Paraguay entered the catastrophic War of the Triple Alliance between 1864 and 1870 against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay over territorial disputes. This conflict proved disastrous for Paraguay as they suffered staggering losses. Nearly 70% of its population died, its economy was shattered, and its territory was significantly reduced.

And yes, you heard me right, nearly 70% of its population perished, including most of its male population. In the war's aftermath, Paraguay was plunged into political chaos, economic ruin, and a period of foreign interventions. Due to the economic devastation of the war, the country became indebted to British creditors.

And yes, you heard me right, nearly 70% of its population perished, including most of its male population. In the war's aftermath, Paraguay was plunged into political chaos, economic ruin, and a period of foreign interventions. Due to the economic devastation of the war, the country became indebted to British creditors.

And yes, you heard me right, nearly 70% of its population perished, including most of its male population. In the war's aftermath, Paraguay was plunged into political chaos, economic ruin, and a period of foreign interventions. Due to the economic devastation of the war, the country became indebted to British creditors.

And with that leverage, Britain pushed for the development of a free market economy and privatization, which brought Paraguay into closer contact with the global economy and eventually led to a more pronounced class divide and establishment of an exploitative agricultural export system.

And with that leverage, Britain pushed for the development of a free market economy and privatization, which brought Paraguay into closer contact with the global economy and eventually led to a more pronounced class divide and establishment of an exploitative agricultural export system.

And with that leverage, Britain pushed for the development of a free market economy and privatization, which brought Paraguay into closer contact with the global economy and eventually led to a more pronounced class divide and establishment of an exploitative agricultural export system.

Land that had once been communally managed was swiftly privatized, driving indigenous communities and small farmers off their lands and into the workforce of larger estates. On those estates, workers would find themselves in debt bondage. Tied to the estates are small debts that workers owed to landowners would spiral into insurmountable debts that would become nearly impossible to repay.

Land that had once been communally managed was swiftly privatized, driving indigenous communities and small farmers off their lands and into the workforce of larger estates. On those estates, workers would find themselves in debt bondage. Tied to the estates are small debts that workers owed to landowners would spiral into insurmountable debts that would become nearly impossible to repay.

Land that had once been communally managed was swiftly privatized, driving indigenous communities and small farmers off their lands and into the workforce of larger estates. On those estates, workers would find themselves in debt bondage. Tied to the estates are small debts that workers owed to landowners would spiral into insurmountable debts that would become nearly impossible to repay.

Labourers, called peonies, were typically paid in vouchers or scrip that could only be redeemed at the estate store, where prices were exorbitantly inflated. Any attempt to leave or challenge the conditions was met with violent repercussions from estate managers, creating a cycle of economic entrapment that was essentially slavery by another name.