Anarquistas en Oruro (Bolivia). Trincheras de lucha contra la crisis y la guerra, 1930-1932

Abstract

The anarchist movement in Oruro (Bolivia) achieved notable development between 1930 and 1932. Nevertheless, the commonly used geographic frame for anarchist studies on Bolivia makes this history still partially unknown. To this end, and by means of an ample documentary record, in this article we propose to recuperate the organizational experience and combat led by anarchists among the workers of Oruro. We will address the principal milestones and subjects who gave life to this movement, dwelling in particular on the battles that they fought against crisis, unemployment and hunger, and near the end of this period, war. Additionally, we will analyze the state repression they endured and the disputes with other left-wing currents. In this way, the present article manages to reveal certain hitherto unexplored aspects of the Federacion del Trabajo de Oruro (Oruro Workers’ Federation), related to its social base, the dynamics of its activity at the time and its links with other social and political actors. We also reveal the causes of both this period’s short, but significant, boom, as well as its decline.