Costa rica 1

A Brief Government Summary of Costa Rica

By jenrich0131
  • 1502

    European discovery of Costa Rica

    European discovery of Costa Rica
    Christopher Columbus first explored Costa Rica in 1502 and found that there were already indigenous tribes living there
  • 1522

    "Rich Coast"

    "Rich Coast"
    Spanish Conquistador, Gil Conzalez Davial settled in Costa Rica. The country was named the “Rich Coast” by Christopher Columbus as he believed there to be much gold within its shores.
  • 1561

    First Spanish Colonization

    First Spanish Colonization
    Spain's Juan de Cavallón y Arboleda leads the first successful colonisers into Costa Rica.

  • Coffee Arabica

    Coffee Arabica
    Coffee was introduced to Costa Rica by Spanish colonists who brought it from Arabia. Quickly becoming its principle export at the time.

  • Independence from Spain

    Independence from Spain
    Central America gains independence from Spain. A 2 year dispute ensues over whether Costa Rica should join an independent Mexico or a confederation of Central American states.

  • United Provinces of Central America

    United Provinces of Central America
    Costa Rica joins the United Provinces of Central America, which also embraces El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

  • Complete Independence

    Complete Independence
    Costa Rica becomes fully independent to have its own representative democratic republic.

  • Attempted Hostile Takeover

    Attempted Hostile Takeover
    Under the leadership of Juan Rafael Mora, Costa Rica takes the lead in organising Central American resistance against William Walker, the US adventurer who took over Nicaragua in 1855. William Walker was an American physician, lawyer, journalist and mercenary who organized several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking colonies under his personal control, an enterprise then known as "filibustering".

  • Bananas!

    Bananas!
    U.S. businessman Minor Cooper Keith introduces banana cultivation and starts the United Fruit Company.

  • Introduction to Dictatorship

    Introduction to Dictatorship
    Frederico Tinoco ousts the Elected president, Alfredo Gonzalez, is ousted by his own Minister of War, General José Federico Alberto de Jesús Tinoco Granados. His reign would be short lived as he himself deposed two years later

  • Let's try Socialism

    Let's try Socialism
    President Rafael Angel Calderon Guradia, founder of the United Christian Socialist Party (PUSC), introduces liberal reforms, including recognition of workers' rights and minimum wages. He only stays four years.

  • Bloodiest event in 20th-century Costa Rican history

    Bloodiest event in 20th-century Costa Rican history
    44 day civil war over a disputed presidential election result. The National Liberation Army (an anti communist group, supported by the U.S., rose up against the government). Approximately 2000 people lost their lives and this was defining event with lasting effects to today. Costa Ricans (known as Ticos) abhor military conflict and continually seek to live peaceful lives.

  • The Verdiblancos (aka National Liberation Party)

    The Verdiblancos (aka National Liberation Party)
    1949 - Jose Figueres Ferrer, co-founder of National Liberation Party (PLN), elected president and begins ambitious socialist programs, including introducing a social security system and nationalizing banks. He would later serve 3 terms as president across 3 decades.
    New constitution gives women and people of African descent the right to vote; armed forces abolished and replaced by civil guard;

  • Time for a change

    Time for a change
    Oscar Arias Sanchez (PLN) elected president on a neutral platform after decades of economic decline under socialist policies and pressure from the U.S. to weigh in against the Sandinistas fighting in Nicaragua.

  • Nobel Peace Prize

    Nobel Peace Prize
    President Oscar Arias Sanchez devised a plan that led leaders of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to sign a peace plan. He wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

  • Disgruntled workers

    Disgruntled workers
    Energy and telecommunications workers strike over President Pacheco's privatisation plans; teachers strike over problems in paying their salaries. Strikes prompt three ministers to resign.

  • Corruption at the highest level

    Corruption at the highest level
    Mounting concern over corruption as three former presidents - Jose Maria Figueres, Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Rafael Angel Calderon - are investigated over contractor payments. http://www.coha.org/paradise-lost-costa-rica-falls-victim-to-corruption-and-clientelism/

  • Country split over trade deal

    Country split over trade deal
    National referendum narrowly decides in favour of ratifying the Central American Free Trade Agreement (Cafta).
    -Meant to reduce US-Central America trade barriers
    -Opponents fear competition will ruin economy
    -Narrowly approved in referendum in October 2007
    -Also includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic

  • Cuba is back in the picture

    Cuba is back in the picture
    President Arias says Costa Rica to re-establish ties with Cuba, 48 years after they broken off in 1961.

  • First Woman President

    First Woman President
    2010 February - Costa Rica elects first woman president, Laura Chinchilla, she represents the National Liberation Party.

  • Current president

    Current president
    The current president of Costa Rica is Carlos Alvarado Quesada. He is a member of the center-left Citizen’s Action Party and won the presidential election with the support of 61% of the voters. The CAP platform is based on encouraging citizen participation and involvement in politics.