Page "History of Paraguay" Paragraph 4

Initiative and creativity were stifled for many years during the rule of a series of dictators.

From 1870 to 1954, Paraguay was ruled by 44 different men, 24 of whom were forced from office.

In 1954, General Alfredo Stroessner took advantage of the strong link between the armed forces and the Colorado Party to overthrow the government ; he ruled until 1989.