State of New Bavaria

The State of New Bavaria (German: Staat Neubayern) was a short-lived Nazi remnant state established during the Andean Shadow War in Bolivia from September 1947 to March 1948. Created by the Andean Liberation Front (ALF) under the leadership of Klaus Barbie, it represented one of the most ambitious attempts by former Nazi officials to establish a new German state following World War II. The territory, centered around La Paz and extending into parts of the surrounding altiplano region, existed as a de facto independent entity for approximately six months before its dissolution by combined Bolivian and international forces.

The flag of the State of New Bavaria, combining Nazi symbolism with Andean elements, on display at the La Paz War Museum

Establishment and Territory

Following the successful ALF offensive of September 15, 1947, Klaus Barbie and his followers seized control of key government buildings in La Paz, including the Presidential Palace and National Congress. Within days, they had established control over much of the city and surrounding regions, declaring the formation of a new state that would serve as the nucleus for their envisioned "Fourth Reich" in South America. The territory of New Bavaria encompassed approximately 15,000 square kilometers of land, including La Paz and strategic portions of the Altiplano Corridor.

The state's administrative center was established in the former Bolivian Presidential Palace, which was renamed the "Reichskanzlei der Anden" (Reich Chancellery of the Andes). The ALF leadership implemented a governing structure that closely mirrored that of Nazi Germany, with Barbie assuming the role of Reichsführer (Reich Leader) and establishing various administrative departments headed by former SS officers and local collaborators.

Government and Administration

The State of New Bavaria operated under a strict military administration, with former Nazi officials holding most key positions of power. The government was organized into five main departments: Internal Security, Economic Affairs, Military Operations, Racial Affairs, and Foreign Relations. The Department of Alpine Agriculture was particularly notable for its attempts to implement German farming methods in the challenging Andean environment.

The state implemented a series of laws and policies based on Nazi ideology, including racial segregation and the persecution of indigenous peoples. However, practical necessities often forced the regime to modify its approach, as it required the cooperation of local populations and businesses to maintain basic economic functions. This led to an unusual hybrid system where Nazi racial theories were inconsistently applied, with some indigenous groups being classified as "Honorary Aryans" based on dubious anthropological theories about ancient Germanic migrations to South America.

Economic and Social Policies

The New Bavarian regime attempted to establish an autarkic economy based on German models, with particular emphasis on military industry and resource extraction. The Andean Industrial Complex was established to coordinate these efforts, focusing on mining operations and the production of military equipment. The state also implemented a rationing system and established a new currency, the Andean Reichsmark, though it was never widely accepted outside ALF-controlled territory.

Social life under the New Bavarian regime was strictly regulated, with all aspects of public life subjected to Nazi ideology and military discipline. The regime established the "Andean Youth" organization, modeled after the Hitler Youth, and attempted to implement German-language education in schools. These policies met with significant resistance from the local population, contributing to the state's eventual collapse.

Military Forces

The military forces of New Bavaria consisted of approximately 8,000 personnel, including former Nazi military officers, local recruits, and mercenaries. The army was organized into three main components: the Andean Wehrmacht (regular army), the Gebirgsjäger (mountain troops), and the Andean SS (security forces). These forces were equipped with a combination of World War II-era German weapons smuggled through the ODESSA Network and captured Bolivian military equipment.

The state's military strategy focused on controlling key mountain passes and transportation routes, with particular emphasis on maintaining connections to Nazi exile communities in other parts of South America. The Mountain Warfare Training Center established near La Paz became an important facility for adapting German military doctrine to the challenging Andean terrain.

International Relations and Diplomacy

The State of New Bavaria failed to receive recognition from any established nation, though it maintained informal connections with other Nazi exile communities throughout South America. The regime attempted to establish diplomatic relations with several nationalist and far-right movements in neighboring countries, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful due to international pressure and the growing isolation of the ALF forces.

Collapse and Aftermath

The state's existence came to an end in March 1948 following a series of successful offensives by Bolivian forces supported by the Pan-American Defense Coalition. The fall of La Paz on March 12, 1948, marked the effective end of the New Bavarian state, though some ALF forces continued to resist in remote areas until their final defeat in 1949.

The collapse of New Bavaria led to the dispersal of its leadership, with many former officials fleeing into the Nazi exile network throughout South America. The experiment in creating a Nazi state in the Andes became a cautionary tale about the persistence of fascist ideologies in the post-war period and contributed to increased international cooperation in tracking down escaped war criminals.

Legacy

The brief existence of the State of New Bavaria had lasting implications for South American politics and security cooperation. The experience led to the formation of several international agreements, including the Andean Security Cooperation Treaty, and influenced the development of counter-insurgency strategies throughout the region. Today, the former administrative buildings of New Bavaria house the Museum of Resistance and Democracy, which documents this unique chapter in South American history and serves as a reminder of the importance of opposing totalitarian ideologies.

See Also

• Operation Bolivian Condor
• Andean Liberation Front (ALF)
• Battle of Huayna Potosí
• La Paz Documents
• South Atlantic Ratline

References

• "The Failed Fourth Reich: A History of the State of New Bavaria" (Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, 1995)
• "Nazi Administration in the Andes: Documents from the New Bavarian State" (Journal of Latin American Studies, 2008)
• "Mountain Warfare and Fascist State-Building in Bolivia" (Military History Quarterly, 2015)