Revolutionary Nationalist Movement

Quick Facts: Who was Revolutionary Nationalist Movement?

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Revolutionary Nationalist Movement

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A center-right, conservative political party that led Bolivia's National Revolution.

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Origins & Early Life

The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (, MNR) is a centre-right, conservative political party in Bolivia. It was the leading force behind the Bolivian National Revolution from 1952 to 1964. It influenced much of the country's history since 1941. The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement was begun in 1941 by future presidents Víctor Paz Estenssoro and Hernán Siles Zuazo. It soon attracted some of the brightest members of the Bolivian intelligentsia.

Career & Major Achievements

Among the party's most prominent supporters were Humberto Guzmán Fricke, Juan Lechín, Carlos Montenegro, Walter Guevara Arze, Javier del Granado, Augusto Céspedes, Lydia Gueiler, Guillermo Bedregal, and Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, a number of whom later became presidents of Bolivia. At the time of its establishment it was a leftist/reformist party, along the lines of similar Latin American parties such as the Brazilian Labour Party, the Socialist Party of Chile, the National Liberation Party in Costa Rica, Dominican Revolutionary Party, the Guatemalan Revolutionary Action Party, the Mexican Institutional Revolutionary Party, the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance in Peru, Democratic Action in Venezuela. The MNR first came to power in 1943, as supporters of the reformist military regime of Gualberto Villarroel. The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement led the leftist Bolivian National Revolution of 1952 and ruled the country until 1964 when it was overthrown by the military coup of René Barrientos. During the presidencies of Paz Estenssoro (1952–56 and 1960–64) and Hernán Siles Zuazo (1956–60) were the top leaders of the Revolutionary period, establishing the universal vote, nationalizing the tin mines, and instituting an extensive agrarian reform.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During this time many of the old elitist parties which had previously dominated Bolivian politics either disappeared or faded into irrelevance. This left the MNR in the center of the Bolivian political spectrum. Siles and Paz split in the 1960s over Paz's ambitions and personal control of the party. Filled with many strong personalities, the party had in fact begun to fragment along political and personal lines since the late 1950s, with Wálter Guevara being the first to leave and the popular Juan Lechín being expelled in 1964. Siles went on to form the Revolutionary Nationalist Leftwing Movement (MNRI) and Lechín the Revolutionary Party of the Nationalist Left (PRIN).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1941: 1941 Milestone — It influenced much of the country's history since 1941.
2. 1943: 1943 Milestone — The MNR first came to power in 1943, as supporters of the reformist military regime of Gualberto Villarroel.
3. 1952: 1952 Milestone — It was the leading force behind the Bolivian National Revolution from 1952 to 1964.
4. 1964: 1964 Milestone — Filled with many strong personalities, the party had in fact begun to fragment along political and personal lines since the late 1950s, with Wálter Guevara being the first to leave and the popular Juan Lechín being expelled in 1964.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Revolutionary Nationalist Movement

True or False: “Did the MNR remain a purely leftist party throughout its entire history in Bolivia?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The party initially started as leftist/reformist but later shifted towards the center-right and conservative spectrum.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Revolutionary Nationalist Movement