Costa Rica obtiene su independencia el 15 de septiembre de 1821 y se adhiere a la Repblica Federal de Centroamrica. Sin embargo, el Pacto Federal se disuelve de facto entre 1838 y 1839 y cada provincia declara su independencia. Es en este contexto que Costa Rica se convierte en Repblica en 1848. Junto con otros pases centroamericanos, Costa Rica participa en la guerra contra William Walker en 1856. Durante la batalla de Rivas de Nicaragua, el 11 de abril de 1856, se distingue el Hroe Nacional de Costa Rica, Juan Santamara. Desde muy temprano, Costa Rica adopta una poltica a favor de la enseanza con el objetivo de garantizar la perenidad de las instituciones democrticas. La enseanza gratuita y obligatoria se instaura en 1869. El militarismo no prospera, y el funcionamiento del pas est solidamente fundado sobre tres poderes claramente definidos. Durante esta segunda mitad del siglo XIX, el pas tambin conoce una transformacin econmica y social gracias a la expansin de las exportaciones de caf y a la institucin del sufragio universal en 1889. Los dirigentes adoptan una reforma educativa de influencia liberal que toca a todos los costarricenses, lo cual permite afianzar los pilares democrticos. El nacimiento de la Segunda Repblica y la abolicin del ejrcito En 1948, tras la anulacin de las elecciones por parte del Congreso, los partidarios del candidato opositor Otilio Ulate lanzan una ofensiva armada, al considerar que eran los vencedores legtimos de la eleccin. La confrontacin civil estalla entre los partidarios de Ulate, dirigidos por Jos Figueres, y el grupo que apoya al expresidente Caldern Guardia. La confrontacin se extiende por pocas semanas, entre marzo y abril, pero marca profundamente al pas. Los partidarios de Ulate vencen y Jos Figueres toma el mando de una Junta Militar que se mantiene en el poder durante 18 meses. Al final de este perodo, entrega el poder a Otilio Ulate, considerado como el vencedor de las elecciones anuladas en 1948. Durante el perodo de la Junta Militar, una nueva Constitucin, que conserva la normativa social del perodo de Caldern Guardia (1940-1944), es adoptada. Esto da nacimiento a la Segunda Repblica, an vigente el da de hoy. Esta nueva Constitucin crea un poder electoral independiente (el Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones), responsable de garantizar la transparencia de las elecciones futuras. Por otra parte, Jos Figueres decide abolir el ejrcito, estimando que ste implicaba gastos intiles y que no garantizaba la estabilidad del pas. El compromiso a favor de la paz Desde hace ms de medio siglo, Costa Rica no tiene ejrcito, apostando as a los instrumentos que el Derecho Internacional proporciona para solucionar los diferendos entre los pases. La abolicin del ejrcito ha permitido, en particular, financiar sectores como la educacin, la salud y el acceso a los servicios de agua potable y electricidad. Desde 1949, las elecciones se desarrollan regularmente cada cuatro aos y la alternancia poltica es parte de los valores y principios polticos de Costa Rica. El compromiso del pas a favor de la paz no armada fue confirmado en 1983, cuando el Presidente Monge declar la neutralidad perpetua de Costa Rica en los conflictos armados, y dicho compromiso tuvo un alcance internacional muy significativo en 1987, cuando el Presidente Arias recibi el Premio Nobel de la Paz, en el marco de su contribucin a la firma de los Acuerdos de Paz en Amrica Central. Brief historical review of Costa Rica Independence and beginning of democratic life Costa Rica obtains its independence the 15 of September of 1821 and it adheres to the Federal Republic of Central America. However, the Federal Pact dissolves de facto between 1838 and 1839 and each province declares its independence. It is in this context that Costa Rica becomes a Republic in 1848. Along with other Central American countries, Costa Rica participates in the war against William Walker in 1856. During the battle of Rivas of Nicaragua, 11 of April of 1856, distinguishes the National Hero of Costa Rica, Juan Santamara. From very early on, Costa Rica adopts a policy in favor of education with the objective of guaranteeing the perenniality of democratic institutions. Free and compulsory education was established in 1869. Militarism does not prosper, and the functioning of the country is firmly founded on three clearly defined powers. During this second half of the nineteenth century, the country also experienced an economic and social transformation thanks to the expansion of coffee exports and the institution of universal suffrage in 1889. The leaders adopt a liberal education reform that touches all Costa Ricans , Which allows to consolidate the democratic pillars. The birth of the Second Republic and the abolition of the army In 1948, following the annulment of the congressional elections, supporters of opposition candidate Otilio Ulate launched an armed offensive, considering them to be the legitimate victors of the election. The civil confrontation erupts between supporters of Ulate, led by Jose Figueres, and the group that supports former president Caldern Guardia. The confrontation lasts for a few weeks, between March and April, but it marks the country deeply. The supporters of Ulate are due and Jos Figueres takes command of a Military Junta that stays in the power during 18 months. At the end of this period, he hands over power to Otilio Ulate, considered the winner of the annulled elections in 1948. During the period of the Military Junta, a new Constitution, which retains the social norms of the Caldern Guardia period (1940-1944), is adopted. This gives birth to the Second Republic, still in force today. This new constitution creates an independent electoral power (the Supreme Electoral Tribunal), responsible for ensuring the transparency of future elections. On the other hand, Jose Figueres decides to abolish the army, considering that it involved useless expenses and that did not guarantee the stability of the country. The commitment to peace For more than half a century, Costa Rica has no army, thus betting on the instruments that international law provides to settle disputes between countries. The abolition of the army has made it possible, in particular, to finance sectors such as education, health and access to drinking water and electricity. Since 1949, elections are held regularly every four years and political alternation is part of Costa Rica's political values and principles. The country's commitment to unarmed peace was confirmed in 1983, when President Monge declared Costa Rica's perpetual neutrality in armed conflicts, and this commitment had a very significant international reach in 1987, when President Arias received the Nobel Peace Prize, as part of his contribution to the signing of the Central American Peace Accords.