-
Jan 26, 1522
Gil González Dávila discovers Nicaragua
At this point, the explorer Gil González Dávila finds Nicaragua and names it after a local chief. -
Nicaraguan Independence
This was the day the Nicaragua declared independence from Spain. This was the time that most colonies were fighting for independence. At this time they were part of Mexico. -
Other Nicaraguan independece
On this date, Nicaragua left the United Provences of Latin America, the conglomerate they left after leaving Mexico. -
William Walker captured the capital
As a mercenary, he wanted to take control of all of Latin America after the Spanish left the area. He then was the ruler of Nicaragua until he was taken out by a large combination of forces. His legacy would remain to hinder US and Nicaragua relations. http://web.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/history/ -
British give up Nicaraguan coast
The British left Nicaragua at this time although it wasn't formally part of the country until much later. -
Zelaya takes power
Zelaya was a liberal who took power and established a dictatorship with himself as supreme ruler after a coup. -
U.S. marines land in the Port of Corinto
During political unrest and revolution. the United States sent in troops to protect US citizens. They also mined the area for resources while they were there. -
Knox Note written
After two Americans are shot, the Knox note is written to give the US legitimacy to intervene in Latin America -
Zelaya is pulled from office
Zelaya was the liberal president and did not support the United States intervention so the United States took action to impose a conservative, puppet government. -
Bryan-Chamorro Treaty is signed
This treaty was primarily made to give the United States rights to build a canal. The more important part, however, is that it gave them the rights to build bases in Nicaragua and take control of several islands. It really gave the US quite a lot of power. http://wais.stanford.edu/Nicaragua/nicaragua_andproposedcanal4902.html This source was written by Ronald Hilton for Stanford University. He was quite a well thought of writer because of his investigation on the Bay of Pigs. -
Civil War erupts
It all started with a coup from the National Guard, which the United States trained. They fought against the democratically elected government for approximately a year. -
US witdrawl
After sending in more troops to try and help the unrest, the Unites States pulls their final troops from Nicaragua. They then leave Anastasio Somoza in charge of the national guard. -
Anastasio Somoza assassinated
After the first leader was assassinated, his heirs took over and ruled for many more years under a brutal dictatorship. This event showed haw many were dissatisfied with the government. -
Sandinista National Liberation Front is founded
This group was a revolutionary group that fought heavily against the dictatorship. This started a long conflict between the two groups. -
Somoza dictatorship falls
The final Somoza dictator resigns and flee to Miami for refuge. The new government storms the capital and takes control of the government, which many Nicaraguans supported wholeheartedly.
