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1821- Nicaragua declares Independence from Spain
The source, from the US Library of Congress, describes the independence of Latin American States during the 1800s. Audiencia of Guatemala formally declared its independence from Spain on September 15, which led to many provinces, including Nicaragua, declaring their own independence from Spain during the same time. Source: (http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/7.htm) -
1823- United Provinces of Central America declare independence from Mexico.
This information comes from the US Library of Congress, as described above. The declaration of independence by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua was a result of separatists feelings. Nicaragua, however, had internal conflicts and trouble industrializing which did not lead to formal independence until April 30, 1838. Source: (http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/7.htm) -
1850s-The Walker Affair (Source because it won't fit in the description: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/jackson-lincoln/essays/filibuster-king-strange-career-william-walker-most-dangerous-i)
William Walker took over Nicaragua while there were trade differences between Nicaragua's largest cities, Leon and Granada. Many neighboring countries pitted against Walker. Ultimately, the US came to help with the Civil War that resulted from the turmoil, beginning Nicaragua's reliance on the US military for intervention and assurance of control.
The above information comes from Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History specifically written by T. J. Stiles, a Pulitzer prize winning author. -
1909- Fall of Santos Zelaya (Source does not fit in description: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdspace.unm.edu%2Fbitstream%2Fhandle%2F1928%2F2583%2FResearch%2520Paper%2520Kerevel%2520final.doc%3Fsequence%3D1)
Zelaya fell due to opposition from conservatives that eventually erupted into a revolt that with the support of US Marines. US had interests in the area because of wanting to build a canal, or a passage for trade, and they believe Zelaya blocked this chance so they engaged in helping oust him, according to a research paper sourced below. The paper comes from a student at the University of New Mexico written in 2006, it re-examines the politics of U.S. intervention in Nicaragua. -
1933- President Hoover withdraws US Marines
The US Marines were withdrawn from Nicaragua. The decision was made as a desire to improve "future American policy" relations with Latin America as relations with Japan and Germany worsened. This led to Somoza Garcia moving to fill the "power vacuum" left by the departure of the US. This information was from the newspaper publishing of the Chicago Tribune released March 22, 1930.
(http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/03/22/page/8/article/u-s-to-recall-marines-from-nicaragua-duty) -
1934- Sandino is assassinated by the National Guard
Somoza is found to have orchestrated the assassination of Augusto Sandino by the National Guard. This paves the way for Somoza to gain control of Nicaragua. This information is from a timeline of Nicaragua on Stanford's website, sourced below. (Source: http://web.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/timeline/) -
1936- Somoza Garcia forces his uncle to resign
In June 1936, Somoza Garcia forced his uncle to resign and instructed the Nicaraguan Congress to name him as his uncle's replacement. The Somoza family line rules Nicaragua under a dictatorship which is found to be fueled by US funds. The above information is from the pdf as well as the Stanford timeline explained in the previous event. (Source: http://web.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/timeline/) -
1936- Somoza Wins Power (Source will not fit in the description: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/11.htm)
Somoza Garcia wins in the presidential election, which is seen as the official beginning of the Somoza rule. This is significant because it is the starting point of dictatorial family rule that will last for over 40 years to come. His rule was supported by his ownership and control of large portions of the economy, military control of the National Guard, and US backing. The information above is from a US Library of Congress source providing information on the Somoza Era. -
1941- Nicaragua enters World War II
Nicaragua enters World War II on the side of the Allies to show support to the US. US rewarded Nicaragua with military aid as a result. To ensure aid continued, Somoza kept an anticommunist stance at international events. He even sends forces to Guatemala to help U.S. oust Jacobo Arbenz, a socialist. This information is sourced from the same Stanford timeline mentioned above. (Source: http://web.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/timeline/) -
1947- The Constitution of 1947 (Source would not fit in desc: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/11.htm)
The Constitution of 1947 was released, with a great amount of "anticommunist rhetoric," it therefore appeared Nicaragua was taking a stance against communism. This is significant because the US primary goal at the time was to contain the spread of communism and this continued their military and financial support of Nicaragua and thus fueled further growth of the Somoza regime. This information is sourced from the same US Library of Congress webpage on the Somoza Era as above. -
1967- Anastasio Somoza Elected President (Sources: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/11.htm and http://www.newsofinterest.tv/politics/book_summaries/anastasio_somoza/index.php)
After the death of his ill brother, Anastasio Somoza was elected president and due to the death he was also named director of the National Guard. This status allowed him to have political and military control, which lead to great corruption in the country. It is significant because it accelerated opposition from populist forces and showed growing discontent with the Somoza regime. The above information is source form the same as above and a political website with background on Anastasio. -
1972- Powerful Earthquake in Managua (Sources: http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/11.htm and https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/events/1972_12_23.php)
A powerful earthquake destroyed the capital city of Managua, leaving many dead and homeless. Water and electrical power systems were damaged. This is significant because many surviving businesses were looted by the National Guard as a part of "relief" and during reconstruction, the government illegally funneled and used relief aid, producing more unrest. This information is from the Library of Congress source and a Earthquake Hazards Program that logs all earthquakes. -
1978- FSLN Seige of National Palace (Source: https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/timeline-nicaragua.php)
The FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front) took over the National Palace and held government and Congress officials hostage. The Somoza regime was isolated and fell in 1979 as a result. FSLN gains support due to international opposition to the Somoza regime for human rights violations. This is significant as it ultimately leads to the fall of the Somoza's and the rise of the Sandinistas, making Nicaragua a Socialist State. This information is from a timeline by Brown University.
