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Colombia
in the 1980s became known for its role in the illegal drug trade,
and for political instability and violence caused by this problem.
But much of this is a recent development in Colombia's history
that began in the 1530s, when Spain conquered local Indian kingdoms.
This is the story of how Spain's "new Granada" evolved
into Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, and modern Colombia.
- 1000
A.D.-Chibcha Indians flee attacks by Caribe
Indians and settle inland.
- 1492-Columbus
discovers the New World; Spanish settle in Panama. Colombia
discovered by Columbus in 1502.
- 1536-1538-Quesada
conquers Colombian interior, defeating the Chibchas. Spanish
colonies grow, based on encomiendas (forced labor)
and commercial flotas (fleets) to Spain.
- 1655-England
conquers Jamaica from Spain, begins harassing Spanish shipping
and ports. Buccaneer Henry Morgan sacks and burns Panama
City (1671)
- 18th
Century-A series of European wars weaken Spain, bringing
reform and conquest to her American possessions.
- 1810-1819-Wars
of Liberation produce an independent "Gran Colombia" (1821),
a multiregional republic led by Simon Bolivar.
- 1823-Monroe
Doctrine declared by U.S. President James Monroe,
rejecting European influence in South American.
- 1830-Venezuela
and Ecuador complete their secession from Gran Colombia; Bolivar
dies in exile.
- 1830s-1880s-Colombia
has factional strife and civil war; new constitutions, in
1853, 1858, 1863, & 1886.
- 1850-Clayton-Bulwer
treaty (U.S. and Britain) declares neutrality of proposed
Panama Canal.
- 1878-Colombia
gives French syndicate exclusive rights for 99 years to build
a canal. 50,000 French workers die of disease and accidents.
- 1894-New
Panama Canal Company (American) officially takes over assets
of the French syndicate.
- 1899-1902-Thousand
Day War (civil war) kills 112,000 in Colombia.
- 1903-Panamanian
rebels, supported and encourage by the U.S., secede from Colombia.
- 1904-1914-Panama
Canal is built as a U.S. public works project. Panama Canal
opens August 15, 1914. The U.S. intervenes in Panamanian affairs
four times by 1920.
- 1948-1958-La
Violencia, a ten-year period of civil war in Colombia
following assassination of Gaitan. 200,000 die.
- 1957-1973-Colombia
governed under Frente Nacional, an agreement providing
for alternating Liberal and Conservative presidencies. Panamanian
resentment of U.S. Hegemony grows.
- 1970s-1980s-Colombian
peasants turn to cultivation of illegal drugs, primarily for
U.S. markets. Para-military violence escalates; Colombia's
judicial system virtually collapses.
- 1977-The
Panama Canal Treaty is renegotiated, stipulating return of
the canal to Panama in 1999.
- 1989-The
U.S. invades Panama and deposes Manuel Noriega.
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