By: Joanmys Pena

First, let’s start with a little bit of background story. The Dominican Republic is the eastern part of a Caribbean Island colonized by Spain, who later called the island Hispaniola and part of it Santo Domingo. The republic of Haiti is the west side of the island that was colonized by French buccaneers, but later on, it was formally taken by France. Spain thought they were the first ones to be on that side of the island, but the reality is that the Hispaniola was already taken by their previous owners (the island’s legitimate owners) the Tainos. Who didn’t fight with the Spaniards because of their passive nature? The Spaniard though had another idea in mind, taking the Tainos as their slaves, raping the females, and sometimes killing the males. Later in 1795, part of the island was taken by France but not for long. This era was 8 years long and it ended thanks to a treaty between Spain and France.

In the nineteenth century, Dominicans were planning to arm a revolution against Spain, being inspired by the French revolution, the same one that made the French give back the territory to Spain, the main point of this revolution was for Spain to live the small part of the island, an interesting thing is that they did not want their independence back, what they wanted was to be part of the Bolivar’s Republic of Colombia. They were disappointed after leaving Spain since they got invaded once again, this time by Haiti. This period lasted for over 20 years. But at length, the Hispaniola gained their independence once again this time deciding to be their own country and calling it the Dominican Republic.

What got to the intervention of 1915 was the “humanitarian interests, security consideration and economic interest” We know that the European powers were looking at the island because of its great natural resources, the United States was scared that the problems that were happening in the country will lead to one of the powers establishing their power into that country and that would cause to them losing all the connections that they made in 1844.

“The United States established diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic in 1884. Since its 1844 independence from neighboring Haiti, the country has seen a mix of coups, U.S. military interventions and occupations, military government, and democratic government.” U.S. Department of State. (2021, April 15). U.S. relations with the Dominican Republic – United States Department of state. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-the-dominican-republic.

The intervention took form by an American collecting customs revenues in the Dominican Republic, (Customs revenue means any amounts collectible by the Customs following the customs laws). The customs receipts were the primary source of governmental income, the United States would collect the money to make some payments on a series of loans that foreign governments were pressing to collect.
By doing this the United States saved the Dominican Republic from being overpowered by the European powers. “The World War was then in full swing, and it was generally believed, whether true or not, that Germany was looking with covetous eyes at this island” Chapman, C. E. (1927). The United States and the Dominican Republic. The Hispanic American Historical Review, 7(1), 84–91. https://doi.org/10.2307/2505764 page 86.

This plan worked well for the small country since it became more economically bigger with the help of the United States. Thanks to that help the Dominican Republic was able to make payments on loans “from 1905 through 1911, the Dominican Republic enjoyed a period of relative internal political stability” Soderlund, W. C. (1977). United States Intervention in the Dominican Republic 1916 and 1965: A Comparative Case Study. NS, North-South, 2(3/4), 87–108. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41804432 Page 89.

This however changed in the assassination of president Caceres in 1911, the Dominican Republic fell into their previous situation, it became a financially bad country again, civil wars were happening and they had presidential turnovers. The U.S began to have a greater interest in the internal affairs of the country. In 1914, a solution to all the chaos was brought by the United States. They were in charge of a new election of a new Dominican president to resolve the chaos in the country, Juan Isidro Jimenez and Horacio Vasquez were the candidates.

Juan Isidro was a president from 1899 to 1902, he was defeated in 1902 in a military revolt by Vasquez who was his vice president, he was once again a president in 1914 after winning the elections. The United States committed itself to his support. In April 1916 it was the United States who had total control of the country for eight years. You may think that after this the States made the once chaotic country a better and peaceful one but what happened is that a revolution took place, this time it was against the Americans.

“If the rebel forces now in Santo Domingo do not disarm and turn over their arms and ammunition to the United States forces by 6 a.m. Monday, May 15, 1916, I intend to occupy the city and forcibly disarm the rebels therein” admiral Russel to Arias, leader of the rebels. Soderlund, W. C. (1977). United States Intervention in the Dominican Republic 1916 and 1965: A Comparative Case Study. NS, North-South, 2(3/4), 87–108. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41804432 Page 91

Arias, however, left the city to the interior taking his troops and some ammunition. The next day the Marines occupied Santo Domingo.

“Whereas, the forces of the United States of America have entered the Dominican Republic to support the constituted authorities and of putting a stop to revolutions and consequent disorders, impeding progress and prosperity of the country. Now, therefore I make it known that it is my purpose to occupy the towns of Santiago, Moca, and La Vega It is not the intention of the United States Government to acquire by conquest any territory in the Dominican Republic nor to attack its sovereignty, but our troops will remain here until all revolutionary movements are stamped out and until such reforms as are deemed necessary to ensure the future welfare of the country have been initiated and are ineffective operation” admiral Caperton said reading a proclamation given by the U.S. Soderlund, W. C. (1977). United States Intervention in the Dominican Republic 1916 and 1965: A Comparative Case Study. NS, North-South, 2(3/4), 87–108. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41804432 Page 91-92.

The conflict ended when the United States gave power to the then-elected president of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, who won the election and was president of the republic from 1930 to 1961. It wasn’t till his assassination in 1961 that another intervention from the states took form.

The second intervention however had another concern in the United States. They were scared that the Dominican Republic will be another Cuba or a communist country.

On April 28, 1965, the occupation began. The US president ordered to restore order, sending marine corps to do this task while a civil war between loyalists and constitutionalist was happening in the island. The Americans thought that the Dominican military leaders were inefficient and indecisive. The states asked them to cease fired so that they could seek a political settlement between both parties.

“Your unannounced mission is to prevent the Dominican Republic from going communist’’ said the chief of staff, General Wheeler. United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966). Military Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2021, from https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_the_Dominican_Republic_(1965%E2%80%931966).

On May 5, the act of santo Domingo was signed by colonel Benoit (loyalist), colonel Caamaño and the OAS special committee. The act was to cease fire between both opposing parties. The act helped to make later negotiation but failed to stop the fighting. The leader of the loyalist began operation limpieza (clean up) to kill rebel resistance and to silence the most important Dominican radio channel “radio santo Domingo”.

The US, not giving up on the task, got their civilians to safety and partnered up with other countries’ military power like Brazil, Paraguay, Nicaragua, costa Rica, El Salvador, etc. to force a truce that would be done in august 31, 1965. After that united states troops began leaving the island, leaving the peace keeping to Brazilian troops. It wasn’t until September 1966 that the last troop left after electing a fair president who would do justice in the small island.
“The Dominican Republic has enjoyed peaceful transfers of power from one freely elected president to another since 1978” United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966). Military Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2021, from https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_the_Dominican_Republic_(1965%E2%80%931966).

Lastly, to this day the two countries work together in multiple things. The two governments work together to fight against Narcos, illegal movements or actions from people and human trafficking. These two countries also belong to a lot of the same different organizations like the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization . The states are also very open to Dominicans immigrants welcoming them to work in here to have a better future and education. Which thanks to the island poor education qualities a lot of people come and bring their kids to here hoping for them to become what they wish to be. Like my parents, who brought me and my little brother wishing for me to become a successful surgeon and for my little brother to be (who wishes to be something different every day) to be whatever he wants.

REFERENCES/LINKS:

1. U.S. relations with the Dominican Republic https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-the-dominican-republic
2. The United States and the Dominican Republic https://www.jstor.org/stable/2505764?origin=crossref
3. United States Intervention in the Dominican Republic 1916 and 1965: A Comparative Case Study http://www.jstor.org/stable/41804432
4. United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966) https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_the_Dominican_Republic_(1965%E2%80%931966)