History Of The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of the eastern island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles.
Successive waves of migration from migrant Arawaks , from the delta of Orinoco in South America , colonize the islands in the Caribbean. Around 600 BC, the Tainos arrive on the island, displacing the previous inhabitants. Latest Arawak migrants, the Caribs , began to invest the Lesser Antilles around 1100, and were attacking villages Tainos on the east coast where the Spanish landed in 1492 , marking the start of a new historical phase.
Summary |
The Pre-Columbian Era
Before the arrival of the conquistadors , the island, which was then called Quisqueya , was occupied by tribes of fishermen and farmers. Their geographical distribution is now virtually impossible to determine because these tribes were highly mobile one hand and very quickly they were decimated after the arrival of Europeans on the other. Very little evidence exists yet of their existence. However, we can cite four main ethnic groups: the lucayos the ciguayos , the Taino and Carib.
The arrival of settlers
The Indians host Christopher Columbus as if he were a god during his first trip in 1492. The explorer named the island "Hispaniola" (Spanish Island). But colonization was very violent and reduced the local population into slavery. Thus, in fifty years, it is exterminated by repressions, forced labor in mines, plantations and especially of epidemics. Of the 400,000 Tainos living on the island originally, 60000 are still alive in 1508 and only a few dozen in 1535. The desperate resistance against the Spanish Tano and slavery also resulted in many suicides.
As the local population no longer sufficient for mining and plantation work, the Spaniards captured from 1503 slaves in Africa. The influx of Africans will have a considerable influence on culture, politics and ethnic composition of the island.
Blacks of the same ethnic group will be separated. This allows the term to impose the Spanish language. Similarly, they will receive Spanish names and will be converted to Christianity. Thus the slave will ethnocide where Africans are losing their cultures and backgrounds. Their only identity is now based on the color of their skin (which may vary according to ethnicity). Subsequently the British colonists, Portuguese and French would also import African slaves. In the European mentality, blacks are seen as a whole, a unique people. This perception is reinforced by the racial theories that will be put in place to justify this slavery.
The first slave revolt in the Americas will be 1522 in Santo Domingo, where Wolof working in a plantation of sugar cane rose up against the admiral Don Diego Colon , son of Christopher Columbus. Many insurgents managed to escape and find refuge in the mountains where they form communities Maroon independent.
Colony
In the next century, French settlers occupied the West Island that Spain cedes to France in 1697 by the Treaty of Rijswijk.
The slave revolt in Saint-Domingue and French domination
In 1791 began the revolt of the Slaves of the French part of the island led by Toussaint Louverture and lead the 4 September 1793 by the abolition of slavery in this part of the island and two in February 1794 in all the colonies French.
In 1795 following the war in Europe, under the Treaty of Basel , Spain ceded the eastern part of the island to France (now Dominican Republic) Santo Domingo becomes entirely French.
In January 1802 , Napoleon Bonaparte sent 20,000 men to Santo Domingo with the desire to restore slavery. This episode, known by the name of expedition to San Domingo , leads to the arrest of some of the rebels. But it does not stop the uprising became a war of independence which ended in the independence of Haiti , the first free black republic in the world, 1 January 1804.
The French who remained in the eastern part of the island fought by residents Hispanico-Creole, under the command of Juan Snchez Ramrez , at the Battle of Palo Hincado on 7 November 1808.
Restoration of the Spanish colony
The French capitulation takes place in Santo Domingo on 9 July 1809. The country was then replaced voluntarily under the authority of Spain. The period between 1809 and 1821 is known as the "La Espaa Boba", literally the stupid Spain as that country is losing interest in a colony whose resources are exhausted, there exercised virtually no control.
The Haitian occupation
In 1821 , facing the movement of liberation in the Spanish colonies in America , the population rises again, and proclaimed independence on December 1.
Taking advantage of the opportunity and appeal to some insurgents, Haitian President Jean Pierre Boyer, invaded the country after nine weeks, between Santo Domingo on February 9 1822 and then reunited the entire island.
The military occupation lasted 22 years until the fall of Boyer, it is generally seen as a period of brutality, although the reality is more complex. The twenty-two years allow the expropriation of large landowners and aborted reforms to export agricultural products, to mandate military service, restrict the use of Spanish and eliminate traditional customs such as cockfighting.
But it ultimately reinforces the national feeling of Dominicans of Haitian who stand by their language, their culture, their religion and customs. This period also allows the end of slavery in the eastern part of the island.
Independence
On 27 February 1844 , despite continuing attacks by the Haitians, the Dominican Republic is again declared independent by the Fathers of the Fatherland, Ramn Matas Mella and Francisco del Rosario Snchez , hero of the Revolutionary War, and Juan Pablo Duarte then still in exile. But the military led by General Pedro Santana , after the capture of Santo Domingo came to power.
The first constitution was adopted on 6 November 1844. The government will be headed by a president with many liberal tendencies, but Article 210, imposed by force to the constitutional assembly by Pedro Santana , gave it the same privileges as a dictator until the war of independence is not over. They used him to win the war but also to persecute, execute and drive into exile his political opponents, including Duarte was the most important.
In 1861 , during his tenure as president, Santana had to reattach the Dominican Republic to Spain because of the excessive pressures of Haiti. This connection is disputed and the 16 August 1863 , the Restoration War broke out. In 1865 , thanks in part to General Gregorio Luperon fighting Santana, independence is restored.
The twentieth century and political instability
Because of economic difficulties, fear of interventionism and of internal disorder, the United States establish a protectorate over the country in 1906. In 1916 , this protection becomes a military occupation that ended in 1924 with the holding of new elections which saw the victory of Horacio Vasquez. U.S. military authorities introduce some reforms that were made in the United States during the Progressive era , including the reform of taxation, finance and public administration, development of primary education, the creation of National Police and the construction of a road network that includes a highway between Santiago and Santo Domingo.
From 1930 , Rafael Trujillo , an American ally, reign as a dictator. During his dictatorship, marked by ruthless repression and a cult of personality without reserve, the whole economy goes under its control. He leads a policy of public works and manages to stabilize the financial situation. But in August 1960 , the Organization of American States (OAS) imposed diplomatic sanctions against him for his complicity in the attempted assassination of President Venezuelan Rmulo Betancourt. These penalties lead to his assassination on 30 May 1961. In November 1961, the Trujillo family, forced into exile in France withdrew.
During the Holocaust of World War II , the Dominican Republic is the only American country to open its borders to Jews in Europe.
In January 1962 , a Council of State composed of moderate members of the opposition is established with powers legislative and executive separate. OAS sanctions were lifted January 4, after the resignation of President Joaquin Balaguer Ricardo January 16, Rafael Bonnelly headed the Dominican government. In 1963 , Juan Bosch was declared president, but a military coup to overthrow him in September of that year.
After the coup, a triumvirate took power and the dictatorship reappears 24 April 1965. But a new military coup broke out soon after, the military and then begin to fight, thus preparing the return of Bosch. On April 28 , following the fear that the country fell under Communist control, the U.S. military officially involved to protect and evacuate foreign nationals. The U.S. military remains in the territory until September 1966 and handed over to the Inter-American Peace Force , a force in Latin America led by Brazil, which will be dismantled in 1967.
In June 1966 , President Balaguer, leader of the Reformist Party (which today is called Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), was elected in May 1970 and May 1974. Both times, most opposition parties must withdraw their applications because of pressure and violence by pro-government militants. Balaguer conducting economic reforms to open the country to foreign investors while protecting the state industries and private interests. The economic development model ambiguous produced mixed results. The rate of growth remained robust in the past nine years in power de Balaguer (average annual growth rate of 9.4% between 1970 and 1975). Foreign investment (mainly American) and foreign aid grow while foreign exchange earnings from sugar exports reached a high level thanks to high commodity of this international market. But the good macroeconomic performance are not accompanied by equitable distribution of wealth created. In the elections of May 1978 , Balaguer was defeated by Antonio Guzman of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). The inauguration of the Guzmn August 16 is the first transfer of power to happen peacefully.
Today
The PRD candidate for president, Salvador Jorge Blanco , won the elections in 1982 , and the PRD gained a majority in both houses of Congress. To revive the economy, the government is implementing drastic austerity measures recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In April 1984 , prices of basic commodities are rising, the riots have increased and have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people through law enforcement.
Balaguer returned to the presidential palace with his victory in 1986 and 1990. To revive the economy, he initiated a series of major public works. However in 1988 , the country slipped into economic depression characterized by inflation and currency devaluation. Economic difficulties, coupled with problems of access to basic services (electricity, water, transport) have aroused popular discontent which is the cause of protests, sometimes violent, but mostly of a general strike that paralyzed the country in June 1989.
In 1990 , Balaguer, establishes the background of economic reforms. After signing an agreement with the IMF , balancing the budget and reducing inflation, the Dominican Republic is experiencing a period of economic growth marked by moderate inflation, a balance between import and export, and a GDP in constant increase.
The elections of 1986 and 1990 were generally perceived as being legal, but some election fraud has marred the two wins, the election of 1994 is also an opportunity for fraud. Opponents calling for a constitutional and electoral reform, a compromise is found, and President Balaguer assumed the post for a short duration. In June 1996 , Leonel Fernndez was elected president for a term of four years, now the official term of office. In May 2000 Hiplito Meja Domnguez was elected president and in May 2004 , Leonel Fernndez was re-inaugurated president, the transfer of power takes place on August 16 2004.
See also
| Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize Canada Costa Rica Cuba Dominica USA Guatemala Guadeloupe Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Panama Dominican Republic Saint Lucia Salvador |
Loading ...