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Jan 1, 1502
Nicaraguan Territory is Claimed by Spain
Along with other countries in the area, Nicaragua was founded by the Spanish. First a place not for living because people were more interested in gold of the other areas. Animal livestock was the most preferable way to develop the economy at this point. Leon and Granada was founded in 1520s. Relatively no lived there till the 17th century.
Outside Info: The mestizo group did exist, though many of the original inhabitants did die of disease or in mines. -
León and Granada
Through time through initial interest by the Spanish and later interest by the British, Nicaragua developed economic growth. Two groups of wealthy people emerged León’s by animal products and Granada by regional agricultural trade. However, it also developed hostility between the two groups: León is free trade and Granada is protectionist.
Britannica: Leon and Granada are of the Spanish and not British. Granada gains from trading with Spain. Leon gains from trading with other Spanish colonies. -
Nicaragua’s Independence was Formally Declared
During this time period Nicaragua had huge domestic turmoil. Which was created from the free-trade and protectorate forces. They had many bloody disputes for power. Foreign powers (mostly the US and Britain) also tried to gain some control.
Britannica: During the cause for independence Leon actually backed out causing Granada to be punished by Spain. Leon didn’t really want to be independent at first. -
The William Walker Incident
This United States soldier took over Nicaragua during its domestic turmoil at this time. It took the British Navy and an invasion by the US Marines to get rid of Walker. This sets of Nicaragua’s tendency to call for US during domestic disputes.
Britannica: The reason foreign intervention occurred was because gold was found in California. Nicaragua seemed to be a good place for “interoceanic traffic”. -
José Santos Zelaya
He broke the 35 year long conservative administration as a liberal dictator. He stayed in power for 16 years despite foreign and domestic opposition. However, he opened the country to foreign investments and modernized Nicaraguan infrastructure. However, opposition grows and US is called to kick out Zelaya.
Britannica: US invades due to rumors of a second canal to be built by Japan in Nicaragua competing with the Panama Canal. Zelaya actually resigned, but US did not recognize the successor. -
United States Starts to withdraw and Creation of National Guard
US doesn’t feel comfortable interfering by marines in Nicaragua anymore. However, they didn’t want to just leave Nicaragua alone. Thus, the National Guard was created to take its place. However, this doesn’t end well and Nicaragua erupts into chaos and only stops when forced to sign treaty by massive US force and National Guard.
Britannica: Adolfo Diaz is the conservative President the US was working with. They had to bring him back to compromise the government after the mistake of leaving. -
President Hoover Withdraws the US
The US leaving Nicaragua once again. This time due to the Great Depression and arguments that funds should be used domestically. This leaves a gap of power that is exploited by Somoza later. This time it seemed the US left a more stable government.
Outside source: The US left Nicaragua because it was too expensive to fight Sandino. Also the fight in Nicaragua wasn’t popular in the US. Also Somoza was the US first pick as the head of National Guard. -
Sandino is Assassinated
Augusto Sandino had been a liberal fighter until he turned against the National Guard and refused to sign the “no fight” treaty. Sandino is very influential and fights against an US Nicaragua. Sandino is assassinated by a National Guard member while negotiating a peace treaty with Nicaraguan President.
Outside source: Sandino saw the unfairness that ensued through foreign intervention of the affairs of the Nicaraguan country. He was outspoken and persuasive in his ideals. -
Somoza Garcia is President
Somoza forced his uncle off the presidency and makes the Congress name him his uncle’s replacement. Somoza retained power by constantly changing roles, which kept him good with Nicaraguan groups and the US. However, he was corrupt and the money that was earned through coffee prices went to his or his crony’s pockets. He is assassinated.
Britannica: Not really all up to the Congress to make him President. They did have a rigged election. -
Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle Rule
This is the continuation of the Somoza dynasty. Luis was the President, however, he was sickly. Thus, Anastasio had to become the leader more often than Luis. Anastasio is less politically equipped and faced opposition with more force; this results in his demise.
Britannica: Luis did manage to rule long enough to have a better reputation than his father. He let Honduras slide on their idea of border also helped in Bay of Pigs Invasion. -
FSLN is Created
The Sandista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was a group created for opposing Somoza. As seen through their namesake, they were trying to follow the ideology of Sandino. They were a group of university students and small Marxist revolutionary group. They saw that it was inevitable that for the country to turn around, a revolution would occur.
Outside Source: This group soon becomes the center of the coalition government as the organizer, however, it breaks apart because FSLN partly communist. -
Earthquake at Managua
It is considered the turning point of the Somoza rule. An earthquake had occurred which destroyed Managua. Somoza took the foreign aid and used it to enrich himself and co. However, at this point he had completely alienated former fellow liberals. The economic decline resulted in a loss of his supporters and all segments of the country was against him.
Outside source: Police were supposed to evacuate the city and shoot looters on the spot. Managua is a major city where most of the economy was. -
Anastasio Somoza Debayle Flees Nicaragua
The Somoza empire is finally gone. This regime was universally hated. Nicaraguan economy was in a ruin along with ruins because of a revolutionary fight occurring. A five-member junta was created as a government. People saw this as a new hope for the country as anything could be better than the economic disparity and repression during the Somoza rein.
Britannica: Anastasio had gotten rid of the previous government and created a triumvirate to rule temporarily, this allowed for his influence.
