Febrerista Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Febrerista Revolution?

Subject:

Febrerista Revolution

Known for:

A 1936 military coup that ended Liberal rule and ushered in an era of strong nationalism.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The February Revolution in Paraguay was a military coup d'état on February 17, 1936, that ousted President Eusebio Ayala and brought to power colonel Rafael Franco. The revolution marked the end of Liberal Party rule in Paraguay and started the ascendancy of military dictatorships that lasted for more than half a century. Franco's government had three lasting impacts; it played a key role in shaping Paraguayan nationalism, implemented Paraguay's first major land reform (the confiscation, and breaking up, of some large private land holdings), and officially recognized labor rights. Franco was overthrown on August 13, 1937, but his influence and that of febreristas continued to influence Paraguayan politics and eventually led to the Paraguayan Civil War in 1947 and establishment of the Revolutionary Febrerista Party in 1951. The revolution has been described as a "joint Marxist and fascist coup" which "laid the groundwork for the pro-Nazi dictatorship of Higinio Morínigo in 1940".

Career & Major Achievements

The main idea behind the Revolution can be summoned with a fragment from a play by Julio Correa about the war: "After this war...we will embrace the tricolor, in this war we have demonstrated who we are..., that we are strong in the face of wrong, that we have strength and heart. We are going to expel all the Bolivians and later we will expel all of the traitors and thieves. Our country is ours..., we won it with sweat, tears and blood. All the Paraguayans after this war will have a piece of land on which to build their homes." After armistice was signed on June 12, 1935, President Eusebio Ayala quickly dismissed many soldiers from the army and were sent home without pensions, and due to the economic recession they were left unemployed, with many of them staying in Asuncion in search of better opportunities. By the end of Chaco War, Ayala's Liberal Party was split into various factions and there was no guaranteed successor for Ayala, whose term was coming to an end, and was seen as supporting José Félix Estigarribia, the popular commander of the Paraguayan forces in the Chaco War, ascending to the presidency.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, there was growing suspiction that Ayala would use the powerful position in the military of Estigarribia to amend the constitution to secure another term. Adding to the political tensions of the time, Estigarribia also had opponents within the military, who were disenchanted with his management of the war; in particular, military officers believed that he should have taken Santa Cruz de la Sierra (which borders the Chaco frontier). Said officers would coalesce in the figure of Colonel Rafael Franco, a populist officer with a history of being a military troublemaker; in 1928, and acting without orders, he had ordered an attack on the Fort Vanguardia from the Bolivians, resulting in international arbitration that ordered Paraguay to rebuild the fort for the Bolivians. As a result, Franco was relieved from his military duties, only to be reinstated following the beginning of the Chaco War. After the war, Franco had been appointed director the Military College by Ayala, with the encouragement of Estigarribia, in hopes to quell the more radical voices in the military.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1928: 1928 Milestone — Said officers would coalesce in the figure of Colonel Rafael Franco, a populist officer with a history of being a military troublemaker; in 1928, and acting without orders, he had ordered an attack on the Fort Vanguardia from the Bolivians, resulting in international arbitration that ordered Paraguay to rebuild the fort for the Bolivians.
2. 1935: 1935 Milestone — " After armistice was signed on June 12, 1935, President Eusebio Ayala quickly dismissed many soldiers from the army and were sent home without pensions, and due to the economic recession they were left unemployed, with many of them staying in Asuncion in search of better opportunities.
3. 1936: 1936 Milestone — The February Revolution in Paraguay was a military coup d'état on February 17, 1936, that ousted President Eusebio Ayala and brought to power colonel Rafael Franco.
4. 1937: 1937 Milestone — Franco was overthrown on August 13, 1937, but his influence and that of febreristas continued to influence Paraguayan politics and eventually led to the Paraguayan Civil War in 1947 and establishment of the Revolutionary Febrerista Party in 1951.
5. 1940: 1940 Milestone — The revolution has been described as a "joint Marxist and fascist coup" which "laid the groundwork for the pro-Nazi dictatorship of Higinio Morínigo in 1940".

Notable Quotes by Febrerista Revolution

“Our country is ours... we won it with sweat, tears and blood. All the Paraguayans after this war will have a piece of land on which to build their homes.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Febrerista Revolution

True or False: “The February Revolution immediately established stable governance that lasted for decades without internal conflict.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The revolutionary government was unstable and eventually overthrown by a Liberal counter-revolution within eighteen months.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. Housman — Historical peer (Died in 1936) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Born in 1936) (1936): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Alain Badiou — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Al Capone — Historical peer (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Historical peer (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Abanindranath Tagore — Historical peer (Died in 1951) (1951): Pioneering figure of the Bengal School, modernizing Indian art against Western influence.
• Abdullah I of Jordan — Historical peer (Died in 1951) (1951): Ruler of Jordan who transitioned from British protectorate to independent Hashemite King.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Abdurrahman Wahid — Historical peer (Born in 1940) (1940): Influential Indonesian politician, Islamic leader, and fourth President known for pluralism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Febrerista Revolution