Bolivia broke off diplomatic relations with Germany

Bolivia during World War 1


Bolivia declares it neutrality of the Great war broke out, the country never declares war on the Allies or Central Powers.

The provocations that pushed them to take the step were due to German U-boats. In 1916 a neutral Dutch ship carrying the Bolivian Minister to Germany and his family was torpedoed; after a year had passed the upper classes and intellectuals were still angry and when the United States declared war Bolivia broke relations on Friday 13 April 1917.

Bolivia was the first Latin-American nation to break off diplomatic relations with Germany on April 13, 1917. The Bolivian protest against the submarine warfare as conducted by Germany was couched in very strong terms, and the Department of Foreign Eelations of Bolivia sought to unify Latin-American action to enforce the rules of international law. The Bolivian President in his message to the Congress, on Aug. 6, 1917, fully indorsed the stand taken by President Wilson in defense of the principles of humanity and justice.