The Nicaraguan Revolution Flashcards
Augosto Caesar Sandino
A liberal general and farm owner who refused to lay down his arms until the US left Nicaragua. Seen by US as bandit leader but Latin Americans saw him as nationalist hero. After US left in 1933, wanted Sacasa as president. Killed in 1934 by Somoza’s National Guardsmen after a meeting with Sacasa.
Liberals and Conservatives
Citizens of Leon as liberals, citizens of Granada as conservatives. Liberals recruited William Walker and his mercenaries during the 1855 civil war.
William Walker
Adventurer from Tennessee and mercenary who fought in 1855 Nicaraguan Civil War on the side of the liberals. Declared himself president of Nicaragua after victory and was driven out in 1857. Killed in Honduras in 1860
Foreign Interest
Conservative party helps foreign markets by forcing peasants to work as laborers harvesting cash crops such as coffee and mahogany for Europe and the US.
Zelaya
Liberal party general elected to presidency in 1893, seen as dictator or nationalist. Wanted to deal with Britain and Japan to make canal through country, US encourages conservatives to rebel. Forced to resign in 1909.
National Guard
Organized in the 1920s. Trained and equipped by the US. Supposed to be loyal to democratic system, but was not.
Anastasio Somoza Garcia
Chosen by US to lead National Guard. Nicknamed Tacho. In 1936 he used the National Guard to install himself as president. Assassinated by a Nicaraguan poet in 1956.
Luis Somoza Debayle
Succeeded Tacho, his father, in 1956. Died in 1967 of natural causes.
Anastasio Somoza Debayle
Nicknamed Tachito. West-Point educated. Succeeded his older brother in 1967 and ruled until 1979 when he was forced to flee. Fled to US and then Paraguay where he was assassinated in 1980.
Sandanista Front For National Liberation (FSLN)
Founded in 1961 by a group of anti-Somoza militants including Carlos Fonseca, Tomas Borge, and Silvio Mayorga. Saw Somozas as a puppet of the US. Got name from Sandino. Wanted a socialist revolution. Were dissident Elites. Split between 1975 and 1977 but reformed in 1978/1979.
Carlos Fonseca
Prime mover of FSLN and poor son of a single mother. Joined Nicaraguan Socialist Party when he was at university. Died in combat against Somoza forces in 1976.
Prolonged People’s War
Distinct faction of FSLN. Led by Borge and Henry Ruiz. Said rural warfare was key to success.
Proletarians
Distinct faction of FSLN. Led by Jamie Wheelock. Thought urban working class would lead to success.
Third Force
Also known as Insurrectionists and the Christian Wing. Led by Daniel and Humberto Ortega. Expanded their ranks with non-Marxist socialists. Recruited everyone and were much more successful with organizing widespread insurrection.
Clergy
Began to tell poor people that education, medical care, and decent wages were rights to which they were morally entitled to.