Background

The Dominican Republic is a nation in the Caribbean sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It initially started as a Spanish colony, becoming their stronghold in the region [1] [2]. They eventually won their independence after fighting a bitter resistance against Haiti. However, the 19th century saw much political turmoil as revolutions and dictators launched coups and counter-coups again and again. In 1861, the Spanish were even invited back to take control of the country [2]. However, it did not take long for they were forced out once again.

The United States has always had some interest in the island nation, starting with a declined invitation to President Grant to take control of the Dominican Republic [2]. By the early 20th Century, many Americans had invested in sugar plantations springing up all around the country. Because of the already established US presence, the US military seized control from 1916-1924 to enforce peace and US influence [6]. In addition to disbanding the Dominican Army, a puppet government was created in order to benefit American investors. Though, while domestic investment suffered during this time period, political stability was maintained in addition to reforming infrastructure and developing an educational system. The most important result of the US occupation would be the training of an internal Dominican Army designed to maintain law, order, and public security [5]. This army would lead to power being taken away from civilians, creating many opportunities for the military to step in and seize power throughout the later 20th century.

The Dominican Army under Rafael Leonidas Trujillo took control of the country in 1930 setting up a repressive dictatorship backed by the full support of the military [1] [2]. He used every method from intimidation, torture, and assassination to keep his political opponents terrified and unable to act against his government [3]. He did receive US support because of the generous benefits given to American investors in addition to his anti-Communist stance. However, when Trujillo began to seize control of major industries including American-owned ones, the US began to shift against him. He was assassinated after being linked to the abortive killing of Venezuelan President Romulo Betancourt leaving a huge power gap in the Dominican Republic [6].

In 1962, the first free elections in 40 years were held in the Dominican Republic leading to the election of Juan Bosch [1] [2]. The United States saw his socialist leaning as a threat, however shortly after his victory in the elections; he was disposed from power by a three-man military Junta [5]. The Junta soon found itself in a difficult situation with a failing economy, the result of a crippled sugar export market. People within the country began to grow impatient and tensions grew, eventually leading to the Junta trying to quell the opposition with force. This led to an outright rebellion with the Soviet-oriented Dominican Revolutionary Party mobilizing and arming large numbers of civilians, creating chaos and anarchy [6]. However, some of the Dominican military stayed loyal to the original government calling themselves the Loyalists while the rebels called themselves the Constitutionalists.

By 1965, tensions continued to flare between the two factions with wide-spread fighting disrupting the peace. US President Lyndon B. Johnson decided to send some 12,500 US troops to intervene in order to re-establish the peace and to restore a working democratic government to power [3].

Summary of Conflict

The United States military was ordered into the Dominican Republic in 1965 in order to protect American lives and to prevent a possible Castro-type takeover by Communist elements [3] [4]. Initially only 1,530 marines were airlifted into Santo Domingo to protect US citizens from harm. However, the 82nd Airborne Division was called into action as well as Special Forces, psychological units, and marines. With a combination of paratrooper and naval landings, the Navy and Army units conducted mass evacuations of civilians from the island [3]. They then created a defensive line running across the country to separate the rebels from the remnants of the pro-government forces. House to house fighting occurred while US forces continued to link up and establish safety zones for civilians and other individuals [4]. The marines and the army units created the “All American Expressway” enabling food, water, and medicine to be driven into the city. This also meant an end to the civil war within the country as the US forces had divided the island in two leaving both sides facing US forces [3] [4]. US military personal shifted responsibilities from fighting to peacekeeping. Later that year, the Organization of American States was able to mediate an official end to the conflict reestablishing the government.

The Dominican Republic in the Present

After the US intervention in the Dominican Republic, the vice-president of the disposed dictator Trujillo, Dr. Joaquin Balaguer, came to power with US support. He stayed in power for the next 12 years winning election after election in supposedly rigged votes. However, in the elections of 1978 he was forced to step down after President Jimmy Carter’s administration pressured him to step down [2]. The next few presidencies were filled with allegations of massive corruption and misappropriation of government funds. Balaguer would again rise to power in the elections of 1986. One of the major complaints lodged against his government involved the mistreatment of migrant workers from Haiti. However, he declared victory once again in the 1994 elections. Though, the Organization of American States and other international observers agreed the vote was rigged.

At this point, the people of the Dominican Republic grew tired of his rule and tensions flared. Balaguer eventually comprised with the main opposition leader promising to stay in power for only two years. The first clean elections, as decided by the intentional community, happened in 1996 leading to the election of Dr. Leonel Fernandez [2]. Even though the Dominican economy enjoyed its greatest success under his administration, allegations of corruption saw him being voted out of office in 2000. In 2003, huge banking scandals rocked the Dominican economy sending it into recession [1]. The largest banks in the country all declared bankruptcy severely damaging the reputation of the government and the money supply. In 2004, Fernandez was again voted into office on the platform of reform and change. However, new higher taxes, high inflation, and other economic issues plagued his administration. Even with growing tension against Fernandez, he won the election of 2008 once again.

The Dominican Republic has seen much violence and political instability over the decades with ruthless dictators like Trujillo and two separate US occupations. Only recently has the country begun to slowly inch towards a full democratic system free of power mongrels like Balaguer. However, the Dominican military still holds great influence within the country and the government. The threat of force and aggression is still a present factor in the Dominican Republic, only time will tell if this will lead to growing tension and bloodshed.

Analysis of Critical topics

The Dominican Republic saw much infighting and domestic turmoil during the 19th century, with many self-imposed dictators and revolutions. The most infamous of these was Trujillo who ruled the country with an iron fist starting in 1930. After his death, the Dominican Republic created a new constitution in 1962. However, the newly elected President Bosch saw himself being overthrown in a short manner of time by the right-wing leaning military. However the Junta that took power was faced with an economic crisis leading to another military counter-coup creating a civil war between the Communist leaning Constitutionalists against the Loyalists still loyal to the Junta.

President Lyndon Johnson was under enormous pressure to stand up for defending Democracy against another potential Communist government arising in the Caribbean. In addition, much of the crude oil, critical imports/exports, and supply routes for military actions abroad of the US flowed through the Gulf of Mexico nearby making it critical for the US to maintain control of the region. In addition, it was feared that communist elements could use the Dominican Republic as a staging ground for further aggression as evidenced by the revolution in Cuba. Finally, the civil war in the DR arose quickly putting US citizens in danger leading the US Ambassador to the DR to recommend military action.

President Lyndon Johnson was successful in achieving the great majority of his stated goals including preventing a Communist takeover of the Dominica Republic in addition to establishing a climate for free elections. A new Dominican Constitution was created in 1966, and the DR gained some degree of stability and economic well-being. However, power mongrels like Balaguer continued to rig elections preventing political advancement towards a more representative government. In addition, massive corruption plagued many of the administrations even leading to a damaging banking recession. Though, progress has been made with several recent government freely elected, but corruption among other issues continues to be major issue.

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