In the 1200s this region was conquered by the Incas, who made the earlier inhabitants slaves. From the 1500s until the 1800s the Spanish ruled Bolivia. In 1825 Simon Bolivar, for whom the country is named, led Bolivia to its independence from Spanish imperialism. Through many wars Bolivia has lost precious land to its conquering neighbors. Chile gained the Pacific coast, Chaco, an area rich in oil, has become part of Paraguay, and Brazil took over rubber-growing areas. These conquests took place from 1879 - 1935. Political instability has been a major problem afflicting Bolivia. Most of the strife was caused by militant miners who wanted more protection, pay, and benefits. Many coups and counter coups occurred to try to combat these problems. In 1981 a military junta elected Gen. Villa as President. Later in 1982 the military junta resigned to allow the Congress, which was democratically elected, to take control. Bolivia's inflation rate is the highest in the world despite efforts to control it. The U.S. helped Bolivia fight cocaine trafficking with troops and helicopters in 1982. @
