Introduction
The first stage in the history of Ecuador dates back to Aboriginal societies, approximately 15,000 to 20,000 BC. Those people had their own social organization, with beliefs, rituals and ceremonies themselves, and an economy based primarily on agriculture and harvesting. Traces of its existence can be found in different parts of the country, mainly in the ceremonial centers and archaeological sites discovered. Their existence lasted until the sixteenth century, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived. Scientists and scholars that stage divided into four periods: Paleoindian or Preceramic, Formative, Regional Development and Integration Inca.
Organization of the Incas (1,000 B.C.)
The Central Cordillera of the Andes was the place seat of the Inca Empire. In an extension that exceeded the four thousand square kilometers, stretching from southern Colombia to northern Chile, over a territory called Tahuantinsuyo. The Incas integrated and a large population of ethnic groups with dozens of languages, customs and economy based on land use. In Ecuador, this village has expanded across the Andes, occupied some parts of the coast and exerted considerable influence in Quito.
Arrival of the Spanish and purpose of the Tahuantinsuyo (1532)
In 1532 began with the end of the Tahuantinsuyo prison Atahualpa. Hard clashes occurred between Europeans and the Incas, who resisted being conquered. For Spaniards, America was a land full of riches, exploited according to the Crown. Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro were the main protagonists of the era and submitted so bloody native peoples. Several strategies were implemented by the Europeans, including the use of indigenous rival warlords among themselves.
Hearing Quito in the Colony
The Royal Audiencia of Quito was established in 1563 as an administrative body attached to the Crown of Spain. It was extended for the north to Pasto, Popayan, Cali, Buenaventura and Buga, in the current territory of Colombia, and to Piura, in Peru, for the south. Its first president was the Spanish Hernando Santillan. From its inception until the eighteenth century, the Audiencia of Quito was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Later he orders of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, headquartered in Santa Fe, until after the abolition of the latter, again depend on the Viceroyalty of Peru. However, later, the King Philip V determined that re-emerged as part of the New Grenada, after being restored this Viceroyalty. Judicial and socially, the Audiencia of Quito must follow the guidelines of the Viceroyalty of which part.
The political and administrative end of S. XVIII
Distrust was part of the colonial society because of the ambiguous situation in which desenvolvía Audiencia of Quito. The Marquis de Selva Alegre (1753) centralized State and established a monopoly of alcohol and snuff. Thus came the famous rebellion of Estancos, joined by other surveys of the natives. Then came administrative reorganizations which enabled greater tax revenue. In the late eighteenth century’s presidency Luis Francisco Hector, Baron de Carondelet, who achieved a greater role in Quito as control of the Superintendent of the Royal Treasury and the creation of a General Captaincy.
Rupture with Cologne and Independence
The social decline accelerated in the second half of the eighteenth century. There are several factors that historians attribute the collapse of the colonial system. One of them, an end to the production of silver in Potosi. The production of textiles dropped sharply. The reforms also limited the power of the elite private. The Independence took place between late eighteenth century and the early decades of the nineteenth century. Their causes were external and internal. One of them, the influence of the French Revolution in the region.
The Great Colombia
After Independence, the three most important cities in the country, Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, joined the Gran Colombia in 1822 on different dates. Bolivar became president of this new nation formed also by Venezuela and New Grenada. With goals administrative organization, the territory was divided into the departments of Venezuela, Cundinamarca and Quito. But the integration of these peoples generated resistance and problems due to the emergence of private interests and ambitions through the process, all of which contributed to its disintegration.
Formation of the State Republican
Following the collapse of Gran Colombia was established the Republic of Ecuador in 1830. Since then the political struggles have characterized life Republican. The new State failed to integrate its different regions. Sierra and Coast were developed by different paths. It also formed local self-governing powers which came into conflict with the State and, moreover, managed their own resources. Nor there was a unified currency, which seriously affected the existence of a central authority.