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American Marines occupy Nicaragua
In an effort to control much of Latin America, Herbert Hoover and his predecessors had stationed troops in Nicaragua. These troops were pulled, but after the country devolved into chaos, were sent back in January 1927. This prevented a civil war from breaking out, which could have potentially resulted in a leftist victory. According to Wikipedia, designado Adolfo Diaz actually requested the troops to be sent back in. -
Sandino's Revolution
Following the treatise that secured a truce, Augusto Sandino refused to give up his belligerence and engaged the US in undeclared guerilla warfare. He and his movement was a symbol of resistance to the American government across Latin America, and hence, he was seen as a great leader. He was assassinated by the Nicaraguan National Guard in 1934. According to Wikipedia, Sandino is still revered, and was unanimously named a "national hero" in 2010. -
Somoza Garcia is appointed director
Anastasio Somoza Garcia is appointed the director of the Nicaraguan National Guard, and begins to rapidly increase his power. According to Wikipedia, he ousted Adolfo Diaz, who requested the American troop's presence. -
Somoza Garcia takes the presidency.
Anastasio Somoza Garcia consolidated power within the National Guard, rapidly developing his influence. He acted independently or Sacasa, the president at the time to assassinate Sandino. He then used his power to remove his uncle from power and appointed himself president. According to Wikipedia, Somoza then realigned the Constitution to empower himself, as well as filling important positions with his friends and family. -
Somoza Garcia's Reign
Somoza Garcia was a clever politician, and changed roles numerous times to maintain power. At some points he supported fascism, but at others he took an anticommunist stance, and he also supported the US in World War II, and was rewarded with military aid. He also allowed a weak opposition to remain as a facade for democracy, while mercilessly crushing any real opposition. According to Wikipedia, Somoza was elected by a fraudulent gap of over 100,000 voters. -
Somoza Garcia is Assassinated
Somoza is assassinated in 1956. According to Wikipedia, he was shot by a poet by the name of Rigoberto Lopez Perez. -
Transfer One.
The power is transferred to Garcia's son, Luis Somoza Debayle. He favored slightly more liberalization than his father, but was in poor health, and suffered a fatal heart attack in 1967 -
Transfer Two
Shortly before his brother's death, Anastasio Somoza Debayle took office. He had no political finesse, and preferred brute force. This only encouraged the opposition, and he fled the country, but was killed in exile in Paraguay in 1980
