Nicaraguan History - Up to and Including the Somoza Dynasty (Jan. 1 used if date unknown)
By emazloom
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Nicaragua's formal independence is declared
Though full Nicaraguan independence was not formally declared until April 30, 1838, Nicaraguans consider their independence [from Spain] to have been initially earned on September 15, 1921 (https://vianica.com/go/specials/5-independence_Nicaragua.html). Nicaraguan independence is celebrated annually in September. The source from which additional information was acquired was a webpage focused on Nicaraguan history in general, though the page I used was specific to the country's independence. -
Jose Santos Zelaya seizes power
Zelaya took power in Nicaragua by force and stayed in power as a ruthless liberal dictator for 16 years. He modernized Nicaragua and grew businesses but was generally hostile towards the U.S. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Santos-Zelaya).
The source from which additional information was acquired was a general encyclopedia page on Zelaya himself; the information was broad, but it included more about Zelaya's negative attitude towards the U.S. than the U.S. government source did. -
Zelaya is driven out of power
Zelaya was driven from power by a conservative-driven revolt supported by the United States marines. Marines remained in Nicaragua to support subsequent conservative governments, and the U.S. lent money to Nicaragua. These events allowed U.S. influence to grow. However, Zelaya's past attitude was allegedly a result of fears of U.S. economic domination and potential separation of the east coast of Nicaragua from the rest of the country. He fled to Mexico in 1910.
Same source as previous event. -
The United States Withdraws Troops - The Stage is set for a Somoza Dynasty
The U.S. withdrew troops during the Great Depression. As casualty lists grew, more Americans wanted the marines home. Control of the Nicaraguan National Guard was given to the Nicaraguan government whose president appointed Anastasio Somoza Garcia (his nephew) as Guard director.
http://countrystudies.us/nicaragua/10.htm
Additional information was derived from a U.S. Library of Congress source; information about the impact of U.S. troop removal in Nicaragua came from a U.S. hindsight perspective. -
Somoza Garcia orders the assassination of Augusto Sandino
This particular action was one of Garcia's most notable actions as National Guard chief during his ascent to power. Somoza ordered Sandino's assassination without confronting his uncle, the Nicaraguan president. The National Guard was ordered to massacre all Sandino supporters (mostly in rural areas) following the assassination; this political repression somewhat resembles that in Chile under Pinochet.
http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/deaths-somoza-george-evans
(source used multiple times) -
Juan Bautista Sacasa resigns, Anastasio Somoza Garcia takes power
Following U.S. troop removal and assumption of power as director of the National Guard, Somoza Garcia's influence increased, and he began to act independently of Sacasa. Sacasa's popularity dwindled; he was deemed a poor leader. Somoza Garcia used military force to confront his uncle and put close associates into key political positions. He later won the 1936 election. Same source as previous.
Information from the U.S. Library of Congress provides a hindsight perspective on Nicaraguan events. -
Somoza loses support, uses puppets to stay in power
Some liberals opposed Somoza’s decision to run for reelection in 1944 and subsequently formed the Independent Liberal Party. The U.S. government had also ceased to support Somoza Garcia. Somoza responded by having the PLN nominate an elderly man (Arguello) who he believed he could control and by rigging the election in that candidate’s favor. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=123213
Source written by Thomas Walker on a site documenting political leaders and candidates -
Leonardo Arguello is no puppet - Somoza regains power through a coup
Somoza staged a coup when he felt Arguello’s leadership challenged his power as chief of the National Guard. Arguello was removed under charges of attempting to undermine army discipline. Benjamin Lacayo Sacasa, a family associate, was given the provisional presidency. By consequence, the U.S. refuses to recognize the Nicaraguan government.
http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=123213
(same as previous) provided insight into why getting rid of Arguello seemed legal -
Anastasio Garcia and the constitution of 1947
Somoza Garcia called a Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution in 1947 using anticommunist rhetoric in hopes of regaining support and recognition from the U.S. government (he succeeded in 1948). This Constituent Assembly also selected Victor Reyes, Somoza's uncle, as a new president. SOURCE: page 590 of Heads of States and Governments Since 1945 (book) by Harris M. Lentz. Gave brief summaries of Nicaraguan leaders and how they came to power during the time in question; fact-specific. -
Anastasio Somoza Garcia is assassinated (dies 8 days after attack)
Somoza Garcia used patronage to concentrate power and wealth as a leader. This caused many to dislike him (not just conservatives). He was shot by a young poet in Leon while he was running for reelection. The presidency went to Garcia's son, Luis Somoza Debayle. The assassination was followed by a violent political repression campaign.
http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/deaths-somoza-george-evans
Source by George Evans, an author with a Nicaraguan wife (ties to country). Was anti-Somozas. -
Anastasio Somoza Debayle takes office as Nicaraguan Presidency
Luis restored the constitutional ban on reelection in an attempt to open the government. He was an anticommunist leader who gained U.S. support. His brother, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, led the National Guard and was more severe; he was responsible for the political oppression campaign in 1956. When Luis' health prevented him from running, Anastasio took his place in the 1967 election (UNO created against him) and won. Luis died of a heart attack shortly afterwards. (SOURCE: same as event 13) -
The City of Managua is destroyed in an earthquake
After the city of Managua was destroyed in an earthquake, the government failed to provide food and resources, and National Guard members looted the city. It was later found that foreign aid from Costa Rica etc. mostly benefited the Somozas; this turned nearly everyone in the country against them. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/earthquake-rocks-managua
This source was written by an unidentified author for history.com, a public site affiliated with the History Channel (TV). -
Anastasio Somoza Debayle resigns and flees Nicaragua
Debayle stepped down in 1972 but put himself back in office following the Managua earthquake. He was reelected in 1974 after repealing a ban on consecutive terms and banning most parties from participating in the election. Over time, the Somozas' wealth was revealed and resented. The U.S. withdrew support; conservatives and Sandista demanded resignation. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anastasio-Somoza-Debayle
Same core resource as prior events; source gave general information on Debayle.
