Bolivia during World War II

During World War II, Bolivia maintained a stance of neutrality and did not actively participate in the conflict. However, its geographical position and the global nature of the war meant that it was not entirely unaffected.
Bolivia officially declared its neutrality at the outbreak of World War II and remained largely uninvolved in the conflict. This decision was influenced by the country's desire to avoid being drawn into the war and to protect its own interests. Despite its neutral status, Bolivia's economy was impacted by the war. The global demand for tin, which was one of Bolivia's main exports, increased significantly due to the war effort. This resulted in economic benefits for Bolivia as tin prices rose, leading to increased production and export revenues. Bolivia maintained diplomatic relations with both the Allied and Axis powers during the war. However, it leaned more towards the Allied side, especially after the United States became a major trading partner and source of economic assistance. Although Bolivia did not actively participate in the war, it did take some measures to strengthen its military defenses. This included modernizing its armed forces and improving infrastructure, particularly in remote border areas. Bolivia's position in South America also influenced its experience during the war. The country had territorial disputes with neighboring countries, particularly Chile, and these tensions continued during the war years. After WW2 members of the Third Reich made their way to Bolivia: Hans Ertl and Klaus Barbie.
Overall, Bolivia's neutrality allowed it to avoid direct involvement in the conflict, but the war still had economic and geopolitical implications for the country.
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SOURCES
- The Cambridge History of Latin America. Latin America since 1930. Spanish South America. Volume 8 (Leslie Bethell).
- Latin America During World War II (Thomas M. Leonard, John F. Bratzel).
- A Concise History of Bolivia (Herbert S. Klein).
- Bolivia and the United States: a limited partnership (Kenneth D. Lehman).
IMAGES
Images from commons.wikimedia.org.
VIDEO
Video material from:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKDdo56dhrKkpZI
La Paz, Bolivia 1943 (parte 1)
kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqbRlZ2Hl6yNhck
1930: Across Bolivia
kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXjNc3-irqp-g7s
The Chaco War (1932-1935) Bolivian troops documentary film
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MUSIC
"Lost Frontier" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
"Constancy Part One" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
"Lost Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
SOUNDS
Freesound.org.
E-MAIL
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[@HistoryHustle]

Argentina during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXzTYoSQidCdi5I Chile during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS5qoJ9qdqnnMU Colombia during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmGvqn6ngdarrbM Paraguay during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5uuXmaKesungrc Peru during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ6whXuFl5mthrM Suriname during World War II kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6mrpqifmtyAnas

[@marcoskehl]

✅ 👍

[@kameronsharp8691]

The intro shot was awesome.

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍

[@elcondor7627]

I am an adopted Bolivian living in the Netherlands. I studied Latin American Languages and Cultures with an emphasis on history. Very interesting documentary. I will surely pass this documentary on to a group of adopted Bolivians who want to know more about the history of their country that is little known here in Europe. Just one thing: Villaroël is pronounced as written here. So it's Vi-ya-ro-el. Keep up the good work!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your reply. Great You wanna share the video. Please do!

[@jamesalexander3530]

Born in the US, my father MIA in the Indochina war, mom married a Bolivian army officer, a member of the military junta with Nazi style German uniforms. We lived in La Paz and Santa Cruz. I was raised there for 12 years. My happiest memories from my childhood were spent there. At age 11 i carted ammo and food for the rebels during the 1960 falange FSB revolt in Santa Cruz facing the MNR government. The US embassy played a major part in rushing me back to the US before the Bolivian sectet police found a list of those volunteers like myself.

[@HistoryHustle]

That is really interesting to read. You must have seen so much. Feel free share more of your experiences, I read them with great interest.

[@jamesalexander3530]

@@HistoryHustle been working on my autobiography for 20 years. When done I'll self publish for anyone who cares to read. Thank you. Gracias.

[@markjamison9677]

Interesting history my late wife was Bolivian and my wife now is from Bolivia both from Santa Cruz Bolivia . My late father Inlaw was a lawyer and was hiding from the military when he met my mother Inlaw in Camari Bolivia my late wife actually seen Che before he died sitting at a store outside she said two weeks later he was dead . A lot interesting history in this part of the world . Sounds like you live an interesting life as well .

[@mjstbnsn6294]

Thanks for your videos about South America in WWII.

[@HistoryHustle]

Next month: Uruguay 🇺🇾

[@Fred-px5xu]

Outstanding video lecture on Bolivia during WWII. We in The United States have largely forgotten this episode of our history. Many young people believe that we and Great Britain fought alone against the Axis. Thank you once again for sharing your video content, and God bless you and family!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply

[@mirola73]

Oh man your educational system is as bad as the Soviet, now Russian, the reasons why are very different though. The Soviets, now Russians, also think it's them alone that beat the Nazis.............nothing is further from the truth as without the USA the Soviet Union could not have achieved what it had.

[@benketengu]

I am from the United States I have always been baffled by the lack of knowledge in our history. How many of us know about our troops fighting the Bolsheviks during the Russian revolution inside of Russia. We controlled part of the Siberian railroad. Another Simple example I was born in Arkansas, as a kid I was fascinated by knives so I had always been impressed with Jim bowie. He was a slave trader I didn’t know it . Nor did I know that the Texas revolution was really all about making slavery legal in what is now Texas but then it was and Mexico and Mexico did not allow slavery. Good for Mexico ! I don’t think Davie Crockett agreed with slavery. He had had a fight with his wife he needed to get out of the house for a while.

[@stephenbroadbridge8325]

We in Trinidad and Tobago have a park with a war memorial to remember our country men that lost their lives serving in WWII . The park is called Memorial Square.

[@williamrossetter9430]

Excellent video on Bolivia! This Dutchman contributes much to history and it is appreciated by us who want to know more about South America. Kudos!

[@HistoryHustle]

Great to read. Many thanks.

[@xvsj5833]

Interesting nugget of history Stefan. Love your content and presentations !! Thank you and cheers! ✌🏻💪🏻

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks again Jesse!!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Another great vid from our Travelin' Teach 👍 Greets from Grun' 🇳🇱, TW.

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍

[@prabczuk]

Great job! You covered all of the WW2 highlights regarding Bolivia. You could follow up on Japanese deportations and internments in the US suffered by Japanese and Japanese Bolivians during the war . There is a book , by Antonio Mitre on this subject I recommend,, Náufragos en Tierra Firme. You can also look into Ernst Rohm head of the SA who was instructor at the Bolivian military academy before the war and was recalled by Hitler himself to head the SA. Congrats on your work so far ! Man you could do entire videos just on Klaus Barbie , the butcher of Lyon and or on Mauricio Hoschild , the Bolivian Schindler ……

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for your reply!

[@mammuchan8923]

Amazing opening shot, those mountains are breathtaking. Very interesting the role resources like minerals play in human history and wars and politics

[@davidchunkyonion]

This was a very interesting episode. Well-done!

[@marykrueger6039]

Another fascinating video as always Traveling Teacher Stefan. Thank you. You're a great history teacher

[@bigsarge2085]

Interesting as usual, thank you!

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks!

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

This was an extremely interesting lecture Professor Stefan! I love your discussions outside of the normal topics surrounding ww1 and ww2! Very well said sir!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your reply Nick!

[@mgrzx3367]

Glad you said you're Dutch, I thought your Boston accent was awful. My mistake earns you a sub. Informative video, arigatou gozaimasu Sensei. 🌸

[@HistoryHustle]

Boston accent? Interesting. Never heard that before. Welcome to the channel 👍

[@davidraper5798]

Obscure but interesting and well presented as usual.

[@xvsj5833]

Thanks!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many, many thanks again Jesse. I really appreciate your generocity. Have a great week. Cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@larryobrian]

Always appreciate your videos thank you so historic

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching!

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Excellent. Thank you. BZ. A lot of information. Roughly how many hours to research and make the video?

[@josephstanick8395]

Very informative!!

[@HistoryHustle]

Great 👍

[@user-vd9iv1zy9k]

Man you are awesome!! I have a two question for ya Will you make a video about only serbian SS unit, called: 1st Belgrade Special Combat Squad of the Gestapo and their lider Strahinja Janić? Ps. You are great! Thank you gor all informations you shared with us.

[@danielmota1095]

Great historical lesson!! muchas gracias dank.

[@HistoryHustle]

🇧🇴👍

[@nledaig]

Very good. Interesting and succinct.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@MrHmjg]

more great work...

[@HistoryHustle]

👍👍👍

[@jflatley38]

Go Bolivia!!! Wish you guys weren't in such a terrible economic state nowadays. I wish my country (USA) would help more nowadays. Gracias por su apoyo en la segunda guerra mundial, ojalá pudiéramos apoyarlos a uds hoy en día les siento una gran simpatía...

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@thedavistheory7674]

Hi, Bolivian here, to me it makes sense to have close ties with the main western power because of our common history as colonies from European powers, and everything we share as people from the American continent, but instead our current leaders prefer to align with china and those other countries, despite our own culture being vastly influenced by us culture....but I think that's because of all the populist crap they have been telling and I think that has generated a sort of resentment towards the US specially among people from the countryside, mainly because of previous dictatorships and bad governments that have been supposedly tied to the US, which has led to our current situation... whether that's true or not or whether that justifies our current relationship I don't know....but I hope better times will come, greetings from Bolivia my friend!

[@jflatley38]

@@thedavistheory7674 saludos!

[@wilhelmheinzlindemanhartma5354]

@@thedavistheory7674 Hola bro, de que ciudad eres, yo de La Paz.

[@CARL_093]

good job bro

[@HistoryHustle]

🇧🇴👍

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Another wonderful historical coverage video was shared by an excellent ( History Hustle) channel and introduced by 🙏 Sir Stefan... the historical coverage about Bolivian 🇧🇴 intervened in WW2.

[@ameyakulkarni6493]

HI I LIKE UR VIDEOS

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@user-wj6no2zb4f]

How can you afford too go to so many countries in just a short amount of time?

[@seumanualdepolitica2148]

Valeu!

[@HistoryHustle]

Many thanks for your donation!

[@TimoWW2]

Hi, great video. I got question for you, beacause i need help for my research. What divisions could non volksdeustche Slovaks join? Thanks, any informations would be much appreciated.

[@HistoryHustle]

Don't know. Sorry. Anyone?

[@TimoWW2]

@@HistoryHustle Yes, i spent like 7 hours searching😂 but i found that man named Jan Takac which is non germam name fought in Frundsberg division. Do you think he could join german division if he was only maybe half german?

[@TimoWW2]

@@HistoryHustle I got some info for u in book that im reading I found that Slovaks joined mosty 24. Karstjäger ss

[@tareacristiana7182]

amazing research.. thanks from a bolivian

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Much of this is usually left out of the US history and geography books ,even at the University level.

[@arnaldogonzalez1678]

Can you do a video on Bolivian civil wars? There are 3 important ones to note, such as the war that involved sucre and la paz in 1865, the war of 1898 and 1952? These wars are really important in regards to how our country came to be and how the results of these conflicts has lead to our current situation.

[@HistoryHustle]

Not anytime soon.

[@StevenGuderian14]

That beginning part was epic!! Loved how you had the drone floating there. Was that a voice-over? Or, like you could sombow, connect a wireless mic to your drone, to talk?

[@HistoryHustle]

The tour guide filmed me!

[@StevenGuderian14]

@HistoryHustle AWESOME!!. Definitely worth it!!!

[@hansleijonmarck9768]

Wy was tin so important? Was its use in canned food crutial or in electronics?

[@HistoryHustle]

Yes.

[@luizrobertomagalhaes5413]

Hello Stefan - And what about Brazil during the WWII?

[@fredengels8188]

base americana em Fernando de Noronha

[@frank-rk5sq]

"Mestizo" might be a misnomer for the elites of Bolivia, since the term implies a thorough blend of White and Indian. The Bolivian upper class, especially in certain regions such as Santa Cruz or Sucre is probably mostly White (and not just Spanish) with a more minor indigenous admixture. Those in the middle class have more Indian heritage, but it is hard to say, outside of a careful study, how much.

[@timchiu501]

Exactly 👍 I am a foreigner living in Bolivia. I went to Santa Cruz from El Alto, it’s almost like another country. Even within La Paz there are zones (Achumani, Calacoto) that are full of “white people” with blonde hair. I couldn’t believe that they are Bolivians. I almost thought that I was in Europe. Not to mention the news reporters in the TV, it seems that they have an obsession with European descendants with this job. The social elites traditionally are all European looking (until the rise of MAS), while 90% of the people that you met in the streets aren’t. In my opinion , it’s a somehow racially segregated society, but the locals are just fine with it. Everyone lives in their own neighbourhood and has their own lifestyle.

[@jankusthegreat9233]

Im the third to like this video and first to comment

[@DR.DRE.123.]

Congratulations?

[@rjames3981]

Very interesting and beautiful scenery 👌 Story of Klaus Barbi and Hans and Monica Ertl is fascinating.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@normanfernandez-robert4962]

The largest producer of tin was British Malaya. It benefitted from their tin deposits being on the surface. Bolivia's tin was deep underground.

[@HistoryHustle]

Yet Malaya was taken by Japan in 1942.

[@ameyakulkarni6493]

MAKE A SAME KIND OF VIDEO ON BRAZIL ECUADOR VENEZUELA URUGUAY DURING WORLD WAR 2

[@HistoryHustle]

👍

[@NoWoke2099]

Please do a video on the Bolivian MNR government

[@HistoryHustle]

Not anytime soon.

[@NoWoke2099]

@@HistoryHustle How about the country during the Great War?

[@genarosiles2951]

Bolivian here. Your segment about the Chaco statement is false and not well statement, let me correct you: Firstly, Bolivia was the last country in south America to have Prussian influence in its military and culture. Secondly, you say that Bolivia was a powerful country in the sense in military power. This is a false statement, Bolivia was suffering due the lost of the Pacific War, The Acre War... In the 1926's President Hernando Siles, was a good leader and good president in my nation, yet slowly a cold war was surging between Paraguay and Bolivia due to a conflict over land in the great Chaco. Brief violent encounters happened in the forts settled by us and the Paraguayans, resulting deaths. Hernando Siles then decided to make peace in Paraguay, yet he was targeted by the Masons for doing peace. And worst of all, the people of La Paz, had a fever for war, which Hernando Siles was under heavy stress, he knew that People wanted war, so he tried to "calm them" with the contract of Hans Kundt and the contract of the Vickers House weapons. The Masons, Daniel Salamanca wanted conflict due to the national honor, so it occurred one of Bolivia bloodiest revolution, the 1930s revolution or the "Red Sunday". Which Hernando Siles was exiled with Hans Kundt. Thirdly, Daniel Salamanca WAS NOT OVERTHROWN by Luis Tejada. YOUR STATEMENT is wrong and tells a half truth. A Coup happened by the Military Commanders against Salamanca due to his poorly management in the war, causing internal struggle in its commanders. If you want to tell my country story contact me, but don't spread half truth. I tell you this because Hernando Siles was my great grandfather. I thank you for trying, but the American POV of Latin America history is poor because they don't try to talk with Historian of latino america. Thank you. Reply if you want to contact me, cause the is interesting content here.

[@HistoryHustle]

Interesting to read. Thanks for sharing. My sources are in the description. Thanks for taking the time to write your insights down.

[@genarosiles2951]

​@@HistoryHustle your welcome buddy, I will talk you in IG or email you if you want to learn more about latin America history.

[@genarosiles2951]

@@HistoryHustle Sent you a mail, bud.

[@timchiu501]

@@genarosiles2951wow, your grandfather is Hernando Siles, that’s so cool! Are you still living in Bolivia or have you emigrated to other countries already? I am a foreigner and I am living in Bolivia now. It’s a country where it defies all my understanding of how a country normally should be. There are so many things that I still can’t understand, yet they fascinate me.

[@genarosiles2951]

@@timchiu501 I still live here and investigate about my lineage, my history and what legacy I carry with. I deeply love him. Bolivia is... Well it's a beautiful land but it's government is truly awful.

[@davidhenderson6733]

Cornwall, Romans, same old same old its progress great info .

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for watching.

[@davidhenderson6733]

@@HistoryHustle Thanks, when your chanel pops up i always give it a listen keep up the good work.

[@Gustavogukpa]

Bolivia best leader was German Busch Becerra. Also he was Latam first left wing dictator. He did comitt suicide, that is settled, but yeah it was a common legend that he was murdered. An interesting thing about Busch is that Hitler was like "Hey, a leader with german blood and using an ideology with socialism in the name, he probably is pro nazi" so he gave Busch a limousine. Busch hated fascism so much that he took the car and crashed it into La Paz junkyard.

[@thedavistheory7674]

Actually I think the best leader was Andres de Santa Cruz

[@Gustavogukpa]

@@thedavistheory7674 I respect your view

[@marcoskehl]

15:04. This climb deserves a like by itself. ヽ(͡◕ ͜ʖ ͡◕)ﾉ👍 Obrigado, Stefan! 🍀 🇧🇷

[@HistoryHustle]

😎👍 Hope you are doing ok! Heard about the floods in the south.

[@marcoskehl]

@@HistoryHustle I am doing fine. Ivoti is around 400 m above sea level, half way on the ridge. But the people on the lowlands are suffering. We are helping each other. Thank you! 🇧🇷

[@JenniferinIllinois]

You mean the proud Bolivian navy was not involved in World War II? ;)

[@HistoryHustle]

They were stuck on Lake Titicaca.

[@GustavoHenrique-kp5sq]

Gérman Busch had such a tragic story

[@HistoryHustle]

True.

[@213AcaciaAvenue]

5:10 must be a typo, pretty sure neither Bush was US president in 1938 😅

[@HistoryHustle]

I stand corrected yes.

[@fredengels8188]

Europa, 1939 Todos decían que no en las cancillerías (Años de guerra caliente Varios años antes de la guerra fría) Todos decían que no Cuando dijo que sí Bolivia Jorge Drexler

[@julianshepherd2038]

Didn't they make Hitler's afternoon pick-me-up

[@sebastianravinet3415]

Why do people insist in pretending Bolivia is/was or ever will be a country?

[@HistoryHustle]

Cause it is.

[@EdMcF1]

Bolivian General Staff WW2 Threat Assessment from belligerents: U-boat threat: Minimal: Aerial attack threat: likewise: Land invasion: Unlikely in the medium-term.

[@HistoryHustle]

Lol, true that.

[@alanstrong55]

Living in a mountainous country allows their people and soldiers to grow stronger. They likely gave strong support for America. Tin is vital. It is still valuable to this day. Give me a tin mine for my birthday.

[@MusicJunky3]

Nou ja, wat kom ik nou tegen ! (maar goed hoor )

[@HistoryHustle]

🇧🇴👍

[@pyeitme508]

The thing about Bolivia now a narco state 😂

[@royale7620]

Bro used gigachad for thumbnail 😂😂

[@thomasbleming7539]

FYI Che died in early October 1967.

[@HistoryHustle]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bruceboyer8187]

Stating that Standard Oil exploited" is a biased position. So they paid for it not stole it. When tje govt took their property that is stealing.

[@HistoryHustle]

Exploitating oil is a neutral term. Exploitating people is not a neutral term, but I never sad that.

[@gondolacrescent5]

Please remind our young people that Great Britain and most of its commonwealth, the United States and the Soviet Union fought and defeated the Axis powers.

[@HistoryHustle]

Your point regarding this video?

[@dsmoke1972]

President Bush in 1938?

[@HistoryHustle]

You got it: German Bush.

[@globalcitizen8321]

German Busch, the descendant of German immigrants to Bolivia.

[@jackrosario9990]

Bolivia did what the United States wanted and that's all that counts and they help get che too!

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok👍

[@bruceboyer8187]

The "had to work in the mines" is again your bias. They choose to work in the mines, not forced. Yes working conditions were "bad" so bad that people chose those jobs rather than take lower paying but "better" jobs. Your narative is through the lens of a socialist not a free men and free marks rights of men to their own property" perspective.

[@HistoryHustle]

Your are seeing things that aren't there.

[@HenriHattar]

Bolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, ...In 1940 it had a population of a bit more than 2.5 million, including kids and old people, so a lot of this inf is a bit of bullshit.

[@HistoryHustle]

Care to explain?

[@HenriHattar]

@@HistoryHustle Mo explanation needed. It is there for any one to find if they LOOK!

[@globalcitizen8321]

However, the contribution of Bolivia with Tin during the war was very important. HenriHattar, you shouldn't undermine the historical contribution of this country to the Allies during the war.

[@HistoryHustle]

Strong arguments.

[@HenriHattar]

@@globalcitizen8321 TRUTH is NOT undermining! The information provided was absolutely NOT correct and statiscal information which is ON THE RECORD is there , if you are not too lazy to go look!

[@mollkatless]

It's cool that Bolivia has the rainbow flag, I had no idea they were so open to alternative lifestyles. Although their garish military costumes, and high kicking "you-go-girl" marching attitude might have served as a clue. Well done, Bolivia

[@HistoryHustle]

Ok👍

[@GROZNAYA]

Despite the flag looking like a Tetris rainbow it has nothing to do with queerdom.

[@arnaldogonzalez1678]

It’s called the wiphala, and it can trace its origins to the Incan/Tiwanaku period. It’s meant to represent the different departments of my country but it’s used as a political tool by the government. Quite sad really