Dominican Republic History – Facts, Events, Figures
When foreigners take a closer look at the history of the Dominican Republic for the first time, they can’t help but notice that the calendar is full of holidays. Fact is – these are not just reasons to have a day off, these are each connected to an important event or a figure from the past. Dominican Republic history was full of turbulent events that all played their part in forming what is today and tranquil, tropical island. Let’s take a look at facts from the Dominican Republic history in a brief timeline of important events and figures as they happened.
Dominican Republic History – Discovery
Undocumented history of the Dominican Republic started many a century ago with Taino Indians, but it wasn’t until famous explorer Christopher Columbus discovered it during his voyage to the New World on December 5, 1492 that the island became officially known. This event started the documented history of the Dominican Republic and also a very quick end to native Taino population.
Quisqueya – as natives used to call it was a home to about 600,000 Tainos when Columbus’ ships arrived. The newcomers were welcomed with peace and hospitality and Columbus took immediate liking of the island. He gave the island a new name – Hispaniola and referred to it as “paradise” in his journals.
Dominican Republic History – Settlements
When Columbus’ crew discovered gold in the rivers of Hispaniola, the island attracted many Europeans and come 1493, the first settlement was formed in La Isabela. As more settlements were established in upcoming years, peaceful Taino Indians were forced into slavery. Over the next 25 years an entire population of Tainos was wiped out and Europeans started bringing slaves from Africa to work on plantations.
Dominican Republic History – Pirates of the Caribbean
Bartholomew, brother of Christopher Columbus who was appointed governor of Hispaniola founded the city of Santo Domingo on the southern shores of the island in 1496. The city quickly grew and became the representative seat of the Spanish royal court however that popularity didn’t last all that long. Come 1515, the gold deposits had dwindled so many settlers moved to Mexico where Herman Cortes discovered silver. Few settlers who remained on the island grew live stock and made their living by selling food and leather to the ships passing by on their way to Mexico where riches were. The Caribbean became the breeding ground for the pirates praying on merchant ships sailing between Spain and American mainland.
Dominican Republic History – Haiti
Up until 1697, Hispaniola was fully under control of the Spanish king but then French explorers arrived and claimed western part of the island, which remained separated from the Spanish part (currently the Dominican Republic) and became the Republic of Haiti in 1804. French brought in hundreds of thousands of slaves from Africa and Saint Domingue – as it was called at the time became the richest colony in the Caribbean.
Slaves eventually took advantage of high numbers and revolted in 1791. Unable to fight back but unwilling to give away sugar cane colonies, the French made an pact with the slaves and abolished slavery in 1794. This brought an end to three years of fighting and gave the French the opportunity to focus on expanding their territory towards the East, where the lands were controlled by Spaniards. Up until 1809 the entire island of Hispaniola was under French rule.
Dominican Republic History – La Trinitaria
Spain got the Dominican Republic back in 1809 and declared it an independent state in 1821. Few weeks later, the area was invaded by Haitian forces who took over Santo Domingo. Once again, the entire island of Hispaniola was under control of the Haitians and their rule lasted for 22 years.
Unwilling to give up their land to Haitians, Juan Pablo Duarte formed an underground resistance group he called “La Trinitaria” and launched series of well timed attacks against Haitian army, ultimately forcing the invader to retreat. The eastern side of Hispaniola was reclaimed for the Spaniards again and on February 27, 1844 it adopted the name “Dominican Republic” and declared independence. This is when the history of a country called the Dominican Republic officially begins. The events of February 27, 1844 are of big significance to the people of the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Republic History – Civil War
The beginnings of the Dominican Republic were characterized by unsettling political disputes and civil war that lasted for 70 years. As if the fight for the leadership within was not enough, the disputes continued with Haiti and Dominican Republic lost its independence, returning the power to the Spanish throne. The independence was then regained in 1865 during the day which is commemorated by the Dominicans as Restoration Day.
Dominican Republic History – US Interventions
The domestic unrest continued into the 20th century. US Forces entered Dominican Republic to restore order in 1916 and stayed until 1924 when democratically elected government of the Dominican Republic took the office. However, the democratically elected government was overthrown by Raphael Leonidas Trujilo – US appointed head of Dominican army who abused his position and power to form a dictatorship. His repressive rule lasted until 1961 when he was killed in a successful assassination attempt. This event is a public holiday for the people of the Dominican Republic.
The political unrest did not go away with death of Raphael Leonidas Trujilo, though. US Marines were sent in one more time to occupy the Dominican Republic as per orders issued by Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1966 the power over Dominican Republic was given to Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, a member of PRSC (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano) thanks to a rigged election. He was replaced in 1978 by Antonio Guzman who led the country until his death in 1982.
Joaquin Balaguer ran for the president again in 1986 and won the race – this time legitimately. His presidency lasted until 1996 when he was replaced by democratically elected president Leonel Fernandez of PLD (the Party of the Dominican Liberation). He was replaced by Hipolito Mejia in 2000 and got re-elected for another 4 years in 2004 and then again in 2008. He’s current president of the Dominican Republic.
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