Wil Steuer u.s. Quest 12

By William Steuer
  • Jan 1, 1502

    Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to visit the coast of Central America

    1502
    Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to visit the coast of Central America
  • Jan 1, 1522

    The first Spanish explorers, led by Gil Gonzalez de Avila, arrive and establish colonies in what is now Nicaragua

    1522
    The first Spanish explorers, led by Gil Gonzalez de Avila, arrive and establish colonies in what is now Nicaragua

  • American William Walker becomes involved in the civil war and seizes control of Nicaragua, declares himself president, and legalizes slavery

    1856
    American William Walker becomes involved in the civil war and seizes control of Nicaragua, declares himself president, and legalizes slavery

  • General José Santos Zelaya takes control of the country, setting up a dictatorship and keeping a tense relationship with the United States

    1893
    General José Santos Zelaya takes control of the country, setting up a dictatorship and keeping a tense relationship with the United States

  • Augusto César Sandino launches attacks on U.S. troops in Nicaragua, hoping to encourage them to leave

    1927
    Augusto César Sandino launches attacks on U.S. troops in Nicaragua, hoping to encourage them to leave

  • General Anastasio Somoza orders Sandino to be killed

    1934
    General Anastasio Somoza orders Sandino to be killed

  • General Somoza becomes president, starting the 43-year Somoza dictatorship

    1936
    General Somoza becomes president, starting the 43-year Somoza dictatorship

  • General Somoza is assassinated; his son Luis Somoza Debayle becomes president, continuing his father’s tradition of corruption and strict control of the country

    1956
    General Somoza is assassinated; his son Luis Somoza Debayle becomes president, continuing his father’s tradition of corruption and strict control of the country

  • The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) is established to try to remove the Somozas from power

    1961
    The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) is established to try to remove the Somozas from power

  • Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a leader in the fight against the Somozas, is murdered, sparking a strike and uniting many Nicaraguans with the FSLN

    1978
    Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, a leader in the fight against the Somozas, is murdered, sparking a strike and uniting many Nicaraguans with the FSLN