History of the Dominican Republic

Pre-European History

• Around 6000 years ago, the Caribbean islands were settled by hunter-gatherers from Central/Northern South America.
• Arawakan-speaking ancestors of the Taino moved into the Caribbean by 600 AD.
• The Taino established five chiefdoms in Hispaniola: Marien, Magua, Maguana, Jaragua, and Higüey.
• The Taino called the island Ayiti or Quisqueya.

Spanish Colony (1492–1795)

• Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, claiming the island for Spain, calling it La Isla Española, later Hispaniola.
• Columbus established the colony of La Isabela in 1493 and later Santo Domingo in 1496.
• The Taino population decreased drastically due to enslavement, disease, and violence.
• Sugar cane cultivation introduced, leading to the importation of African slaves.
• Frequent conflicts with French and English pirates.
• The Spanish ceded the western third of the island to France in 1697.

French and Haitian Rule (1795–1844)

• France gained control of the entire island in 1795.
• Toussaint Louverture abolished slavery in 1801.
• The Haitian Revolution led to Saint-Domingue's independence as Haiti in 1804.
• Jean-Pierre Boyer annexed the eastern part of the island to Haiti in 1822.

Dominican Independence and First Republic (1844-1861)

• Independence declared in 1844 by Juan Pablo Duarte and the Trinitarios.
• The Dominican Republic faced multiple invasions from Haiti.
• Political instability with numerous leadership changes.

Spanish Annexation and War of Restoration (1861-1865)

• The Dominican Republic became a Spanish colony again in 1861 under Pedro Santana.
• War of Restoration (1863–1865) led by figures like Gregorio Luperón.
• Spanish forces withdrew, restoring independence.

Second Republic and Instability (1865-1916)

• Frequent political instability with multiple coups and changes in government.
• The economy was largely based on agriculture and export of sugar.

U.S. Occupation (1916-1924)

• The U.S. occupied the Dominican Republic to stabilize financial and political conditions.
• They implemented reforms but faced resistance from guerrilla groups, the 'gavilleros'.

Rise of Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961)

• Trujillo took power in 1930, establishing a brutal dictatorship.
• Promoted economic development but with significant human rights abuses and corruption.
• Initiated the Parsley Massacre targeting Haitians.

Post-Trujillo Instability and Civil War (1961-1965)

• After Trujillo's assassination, power struggles ensued.
• Juan Bosch was elected but overthrown in 1963.
• The Dominican Civil War broke out in 1965.
• U.S. intervened fearing a communist takeover.

Joaquín Balaguer and Subsequent Politics (1966-1996)

• Balaguer ruled with an authoritarian style until 1978, then again from 1986-1996.
• Economic growth but allegations of human rights violations.

Modern Era (1996-present)

• Democratic elections have stabilized.
• Leonel Fernández and Danilo Medina have been key figures in recent politics.
• Current president as of 2020, Luis Abinader, represents a shift in political power.

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These notes highlight the key events and periods in the history of the Dominican Republic, emphasizing colonial influences, struggles for independence, political instability, and modern political developments.