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Period: to
The Somoza Years
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Somoza Garcia elected president
After Somoza Garcia won in the December 1936 presidential
elections, he diligently proceeded to consolidate his power
within the National Guard, while at the same time dividing his
political opponents.
Source: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/ This source is from a database of many different country studies.
info:Thus, in 1938 Somoza García named a Constituent Assembly that gave the president extensive power and elected him for another eight-year term -
Arguello is sworn in
Major because Somoza Garcia is not president he is the chief director of the National Guard. This is one of the first times we see him using these "puppets" to maintain power. Source:http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/ This source is from a database of many different country studies. info:The dictator reacted to criticism by creating a puppet government to save his rule. He had the PLN nominate the elderly Leonardo Argüello, believing he could control Argüello from behind the scenes. -
A powerful earthquake hits Nicaragua
This leads to the National Guard looting most of the remaining business establishments in Managua which the international community found out about and were shocked to hear. Thus begins the Somoza demise.
Source: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/ This source is from a database of many different country studies.
info: As a result of his greed, Anastasio's support within the business sector crumbles. A revived labor movement increased opposition to the regime and the deteriorating economy. -
FSLN seize home of former government official
On December 27, 1974, a group of FSLN guerrillas seized
the home of a former government official and took as hostages
a handful of leading Nicaraguan officials, many of whom were
Somoza relatives. Further weakened the Somoza regime.
http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/ This source is from a database of many different country studies.
info: The government and the guerrillas reached an agreement on December 30 that humiliated and further debilitated the Somoza regime -
Somoza Debayle resigns
On July 17, 1979, Somoza Debayle resigned, handed over
power to Urcuyo, and fled to Miami. The former Nicaraguan
dictator then established residence in Paraguay, where he lived
until September 1980, when he was murdered, reportedly by
leftist Argentine guerrillas. The end of the Somoza regime.
Source: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/ This source is from a database of many different country studies.
info:The insurrection left approximately 50,000 dead and 150,000 Nicaraguans in exile
