The Conservative Hegemony in Colombia (1904-1930): A Historical Overview

The hegemony of the Conservative Party in Colombia spanned from 1904 to 1930, characterized by the political monopoly of the Conservative Party and significant influence of the Catholic Church. It can be divided into three key phases: antecedents, the quinquennium of Reyes, and the full hegemony period.

The antecedents of the Conservative hegemony include the founding of the Conservative Party in 1849 by Mariano Ospina Rodríguez in response to the Liberal Party's establishment in 1848. This led to the Regeneration government between 1886 and 1899, marked by the 1886 Colombian Constitution and the War of a Thousand Days from 1899 to 1902.

The separation of Panama in 1903, claimed by the United States, was a consequence of the weakened state of Colombia after the War of a Thousand Days. The Panama Canal became a strategic interest for the US, as seen with President Theodore Roosevelt's involvement.

The quinquennium of President Rafael Reyes from 1904 to 1909 was characterized by progressive policies that aimed to boost the economy, stimulate industry, and improve infrastructure. Reyes focused on expanding Colombia's railway and road networks, as well as modernizing the banking system. However, his modernization efforts faced strong opposition from the ruling elites, leading to his resignation in 1909.

The period saw a coalition between liberals and conservatives, with a conservative hegemony in place. Presidents during this time included Rafael Reyes, Carlos Eugenio Restrepo (1910-1914), Jose Vicente Concha (1914-1918), Marco Fidel Suarez (1918-1922), Pedro Nel Ospina (1922-1926), and Miguel Abadia Mendez (1926-1930).

Carlos Restrepo implemented excellent fiscal policies, leading to a budget surplus in Colombia. He signed the Treaty of 11th, securing a $25 million indemnity from the US for the loss of Panama. Jose Vicente Concha faced serious economic crises during World War I, which stimulated Colombia's industry. Marco Fidel Suarez introduced the 'Estrella Polar' doctrine, aiming for strategic alignment with the US. Pedro Nel Ospina received the $25 million indemnity for Panama's loss and established key institutions like the Bank of the Republic.

Miguel Abadia Mendez's presidency was marked by severe crises, including the impact of the 1929 US stock market crash and the Banana Massacre in Antioquia. The country suffered from the effects of the Great Depression and labor unrest, particularly in the banana plantations owned by the Fruit Company.

In 1929, there were significant student protests in Bogotá, Colombia, stemming from educational issues. These protests were highly publicized and marked by a series of marches.

Under conservative hegemony, Colombia experienced notable developments. Firstly, coffee cultivation expanded, becoming a crucial sector in the Colombian economy. Secondly, transportation infrastructure saw growth with the expansion of the national railway network and local roads, along with the initiation of commercial aviation. Thirdly, there was industrial development through the importation of machinery, although this led to foreign control of the industry.

During this period, there was a profound ideological dominance of Catholicism in Colombia. The Catholic Church became a controlling agent of the state, influencing educational curricula and civil matters such as marriages and baptisms. The Church also wielded significant political influence, exemplified by figures like Monseñor Miguel Builes and Monseñor Herrera.

Several significant events marked conservative history in Colombia. These include the separation of Panama from Colombia in 1903, the quinquennium of Rafael Reyes from 1904 to 1909, the founding of the Union Obrera in 1913, the assassination of Rafael Uribe Uribe in 1914, the arrest of Manuel Quintín Lame in 1915, the establishment of the Banco de la República de Colombia in 1923, and the creation of the Federación Nacional de Carreteras in 1927.