In December 1931, El Salvador’s civilian president, Arturo Araujo, was overthrown in a military coup. Such an event was hardly unique in Salvadoran history, but the 1931 coup proved to be a watershed. Araujo had been the nation’s first democratically elected president, and although no one could have foreseen the result, the coup led to five decades of uninterrupted military rule, the longest run in modern Latin American history. Furthermore, six weeks after coming to power, the new military regime oversaw the crackdown on a peasant rebellion in western El Salvador that is one of the worst episodes of state-sponsored repression in modern Latin American history. Democracy would not return to El Salvador until the 1990s, and only then after a brutal twelve-year civil war. In Authoritarian El Salvador: Politics and the Origins of the Military Regimes, 1880-1940, Erik Ching seeks to explain the origins of the military regime that came to power in 1931. Based on his comprehensive survey of the extant documentary record in El Salvador’s national archive, Ching argues that El Salvador was typified by a longstanding tradition of authoritarianism dating back to the early- to mid-nineteenth century. The basic structures of that system were based on patron-client relationships that wove local, regional, and national political actors into complex webs of rival patronage networks. Decidedly nondemocratic in practice, the system nevertheless exhibited highly paradoxical traits: it remained steadfastly loyal to elections as the mechanism by which political aspirants acquired office, and it employed a political discourse laden with appeals to liberty and free suffrage. That blending of nondemocratic authoritarianism with populist reformism and rhetoric set the precedent for military rule for the next fifty years.

Every country has its unique stories, and El Salvador is no different. For the first time, the magic of the Salvadoran nights is coming to you in English. For hundreds of years, parents have shared unique stories with their children, like the twins whom a Shaman transformed into the Cadejos because of their antics, or the vain and beautiful woman who scares bad men in the rivers at night, the Siguanaba. It's time that you could discover more about the unique Salvadoran folklore and transport yourself to a new land. Are you ready to travel in time and discover El Salvador? This volume includes: - The good and the bad Cadejo - The Siguanaba - Cipitio - The Headless Priest - The Black Knight - The Guirola Family - The Partideño - The Squeaky Wagon - The Owls - The Lady of the Rings - The Cuyancua - The Fair Judge of the Night - The Managuas - Chasca “The virgin of the water” - The Fleshless Woman - The Enchanted Ulupa Lagoon - Our Lady Saint Anne - The Midnight Yeller - The Lempa River - Devil’s Door - Comizahual “The white woman” - Izalco Volcano - The Moon’s Cave - The Amate Tree - The Pig Witch - The Tabudo - Mr. Money and Mrs. Fortune - Princess Naba and the Balsam Tree - The Tamales Woman of Cuzcachapa Lagoon - The Living Rock of Nahuizalco - Alegria Lagoon Siren

Plagued by political instability, economic hardships, and massacres of innocent men, women, and children, El Salvador has fought for freedom throughout the centuries. No other reference source captures the suffering and adversities this ever-evolving country has faced. El Salvador's tumultuous history and recent past are clearly documented in this comprehensive volume, filling a void on high school and public library shelves. This work offers the most current coverage on this tiny Latin American nation's struggles, covering from the pre-Columbian era to economics and politics in the 21st Century. Complete with interviews and accounts from former rebels and guerillas and other victims of the country's struggle for freedom, this volume highlights a unique account of El Salvador's past-the viewpoints from the civilians who lived through it. Students will find The History of El Salvador to be an invaluable source for social studies, history, current events, and political science classes.

El Salvador is home to spectacular Mayan ruins, active volcanoes, the vibrant capital city of San Salvador, and unspoiled beaches along the Pacific Coast. This book delves into El Salvador’s colorful history, development, economy, food, and environment, and its place in the world today. All books of the critically-acclaimed Cultures of the World® series ensure an immersive experience by offering vibrant photographs with descriptive nonfiction narratives, and interactive activities such as creating an authentic traditional dish from an easy-to-follow recipe. Copious maps and detailed timelines present the past and present of the country, while exploration of the art and architecture help your readers to understand why diversity is the spice of Life.

El Salvador is a mix of native and Spanish customs and traditions. This attractive new book introduces children to the fascinating history and celebrations of the Salvadoran people and highlights their art, folklore, and literature.

Long a destination for serious surfers, El Salvador remains the “undiscovered” destination in Central America, inexpensive to visit and rich in local color. In this new El Salvador guide you’ll find great information on the best places to stay, eat, and travel. And with a special surfing section and complete information on events, activities, and national parks, you’ll never be wanting for something to do.