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Nicaragua Gains Independence from Spain
Nicaragua's independence came in small steps and this was the first. After gaining independence from the Spanish crown, Nicaragua became part of the Mexican Empire. In https://vianica.com/go/specials/5-independence_Nicaragua.html, I read that Nicaraguan Miguel Larreynaga led the Central American Independence and his legacy is honored on the ten córdoba bills. -
Nicaragua Becomes Part of the United Provinces of Central America
Nicaragua declared its independence from Mexico and became part of the United States Province of Central America which also consisted of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. In the Office of the Historian of the U.S. Department of State, it states that these five Central American states were formed under the General Manuel Jose Arce. Nicaragua's long struggle for independence is reflected in its unstable and dependent government even after Nicaragua becomes its own sovereign state. -
William Walker Takes Over Nicaragua
American William Walker's leadership negatively impacted the country's domestic affairs, causing neighboring nations, and the U.S. Marines, to expel Walker from Nicaragua. This course of action demonstrates Nicaragua's tendency to rely on the U.S. to fix its domestic problems. In the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History website, it stated that Walker ordered General Ponciano Corral's execution on November of 1855, allowing Walker and his own expansionist agenda to reign over Nicaragua. -
Liberal Revolution and the Rise of José Santos Zelaya
José Santos Zelaya rose as a liberal dictator who strengthened nationalist sentiments. He is also contributed to increasing exports of coffee and banana, which allowed Nicaragua to grown into an even stronger sphere of influence. According to a book authored by Jeffrey Paige entitled "Coffee and Power: Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America", the term "coffee elites" were used to describe wealthy individuals and leaders, such as Zelaya, who profited from the coffee industry. -
Jose Santos Zelaya is Ousted
Conservative opposition groups along with the U.S. marines help oust liberal Zelaya from power. An archive of U.S. intervention in Nicaragua from the U.S. Department of State states that at the time, Zelaya's policies threatened the U.S.'s political and commercial interests in Nicaragua. The same source states that many Nicaraguans felt like there was a foreign takeover of their "political, banking, and railroad systems." -
The Formation of the National Guard
The Nicaraguan government decided to establish its own National Guard with hopes that the U.S. would withdraw their forces. After the U.S. marines left, Nicaragua experienced significant political and economic turmoil as the government lost control of its country. According to the U.S. government "Report of the Public Safety and the Nicaragua National Guard" document, the National Guard was initially bipartisan, but eventually entangled itself in political matters, making them ineffective. -
U.S. Sends Marines Back to Nicaragua
The U.S. sent troops back into Nicaragua because of fear that a civil-war would result in the emergence of a leftist government. This action eventually led to a truce. During the turmoil, the most influential Nicaraguans of the 1900s emerged: Augusto César Sandino and Anastasio Somoza García. In the U.S. "Report of the Public Safety program and the Nicaragua National Guard", it states that the National Guard soon fell loyal to Somoza, and remained so until the dynasty fell. -
Herbert Hoover Removes U.S. Troops from Nicaragua
Herbert Hoover announced that all U.S. troops be removed from Nicaragua. By withdrawing forces, the U.S. allowed a power vacuum to emerge in Nicaragua which was filled by Anastasio Somoza García when he assumed the role of the president of the National Guard. He began defying the President's (his uncle) orders and acted independently. In the U.S. government report mentioned previously, it states that the "true authority of law and order" in Nicaragua rests with the Guard. -
Anastasio Somoza García Becomes Dictator
Somoza García forced his uncle Juan Bautista Sacasa, President of Nicaragua, to resign. García then proceeded to name himself dictator, founding the Somoza dynasty. According to a Nicaragua Timeline document created by Stanford University, the Somoza regime lasted for 34 years and was supported by the United States government. Although many U.S. officials did not agree with the actions of the Somoza family, they viewed the dynasty as loyal anti-communists. -
Anastasio Somoza García is Assasinated leading to the Establishment of the Somoza Dynasty
After his dad's assassination, Luis Somoza Debayle assumes the presidency and his younger son Anastasio Somoza Debayle becomes the director of the National Guard. This event is important because the Somoza dynasty is established. In the document "The Somoza Era, 1936-74" found on the Library of Congress website, it says the two brothers organized a fake conservative party called the PCN to give the election a democratic appeal after the Conservative Party refused to participate in the election. -
The Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961 and Somoza Debayle's Support as Head of National Guard Strengthens Political Opposition
In the Britannica encyclopedia, it states that Somoza Debayle assisted the U.S. with the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba while he was the head of the National Guard. This cooperation demonstrate the diplomatic ties between the two countries and their friendly relationship exemplifies the sympathetic attitude the U.S. had towards right-leaning leaders, like the Somozas, in Latin America. It demonstrates the anti-communist attitude of Debayle Somoza that led the Marxist group FSLN to revolt. -
The Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional (FSNL) is Formed to Revolt Against the National Guard and Somoza Debayle
In a study conducted at Brown University, it states that the FSNL wished to destroy the capitalist system that was created under the Somoza dynasty and supported by the U.S. This event is important because it was the first political opposition that was successful. Somoza Debayle accepted the fact that the FSNL would not stop its revolution causing him to eventually flee from Nicaragua. Thus, the formation of the FSNL paved the way to the fall of the Somoza dynasty. -
Earthquake Hits Managua, Nicaragua
In the BBC article "1972: Earthquake wreaks devastation in Nicaragua", it states that the U.S., Mexico, and neighboring countries provided aid to the victims of the earthquake. After the public and government officials discovered that international aid went into the pockets of the Somoza family, Nicaraguans (and institutions, such as the Catholic Church) turned against the Somoza dynasty. This is important because it was turning point of the public attitude towards the Somoza dynasty.
