Juan Lechín Oquendo papers, 1952-2002

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Summary

Creators:
Lechín Oquendo, Juan
Abstract:
The papers provide an overview of the life and career of a prominent Bolivian trade unionist and politician, Juan Lechín Oquendo who served as head of the powerful Central Obrera Boliviana for 35 years (1952-1987), and was vice president of Bolivia from 1960-1964. Correspondence, speeches and writings, reports, studies, copies of government documents and trade union records, printed matter, sound recordings of interviews, photographs, and memorabilia in the papers relate to miners' unions in Bolivia and the Central Obrera Boliviana, the Bolivian revolution of 1952, as well as subsequent political and economic developments in Bolivia.
Extent:
21 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes (8.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Juan Lechín Oquendo papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Background

Scope and content:

Acquired in 2004, the Juan Lechín Oquendo papers in the Hoover Institution Library & Archives provide an overview of the life and career of a prominent Bolivian trade unionist and politician. Lechín Oquendo served as head of the powerful Central Obrera Boliviana for 35 years (1952-1987), and in this capacity he not only defended the interests of Bolivian workers, but became involved in the turbulent politics of his country. At various times, Lechín Oquendo served as government minister, as vice-president of Bolivia, and as the leader of an important opposition party. During several periods of military rule in Bolivia, Lechín Oquendo was forced into political exile.

There are significant biographical materials in the papers. In addition to numerous clippings, the Biographical File contains a number of writings on Lechín Oquendo, including a major biography. The Speeches and Writings series contains Lechín Oquendo's autobiography, and in the Sound Recordings series there are a number of extensive interviews with him. The Photographs series contains a large number of prints depicting Lechín Oquendo, including many relating to his political and trade union activities.

The Political Parties and Trade Unions File is comprised largely of publications by Bolivian political parties and trade unions, including the organizations that Lechín Oquendo was affiliated with: the Central Obrera Boliviano, the Federacíon Sindical de Trabjadores Mineros de Bolivia, and the Partido Revolucionario de Izquierdo. Materials about the Bolivian economy, and especially its mining sector, can be found in the Subject File.

The Juan Claudio Lechín Weise File is devoted to Lechín Oquendo's son, and consists primarily of his published writings. The Printed Matter series consists largely of publications relating to Bolivian politics and history, with an emphasis on the National Revolution of 1952.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1914 May 18
Born, Corocoro, Bolivia
1944
Elected general secretary, Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia (FSTMB)
1952
Participates in Bolivian National Revolution as a member of the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR), and is named Minister of Mines. Becomes Executive Secretary of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB)
1960
Elected vice-president of Bolivia
1964
Leaves MNR and forms the Partido Revolucionario de Izquierda Nacional (PRIN)
1965-1971
In political exile
1971
Returns to Bolivia and is active in the creation of the Asamblea Popular
1972-1978
In political exile
1980
Runs unsuccessfully for president as candidate of the PRIN
1987
Retires as leader of the FSTMB and COB
2000
Author, Memorias
2001
Died
Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2004
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 11 series: Biographical File, Correspondence, Speeches and Writings, Political Parties and Trade Unions File, Juan Claudio Lechín Weise File, Subject File, Writings by Others, Printed Matter, Photographs, Sound Recordings, and Oversize Materials

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Box 23 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Juan Lechín Oquendo papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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