Causes of the Nicaraguan Revolution Connor Campbell and Patrick Blatt

A Brief Chronology of Events Augusto Sandino leads a revolt against US intervention (1927-1933) Anastasio Somoza begins the Somoza dynasty with USA’s help (1937) The Sandinistas lead a successful rebellion against Somoza (1970-1979) The Reagan Administration backs the Contra’s in overthrowing Sandinistas (1980)’s

- Nicaragua

Background: Sandino The revolutionary figure who inspired the later revolts -Sandino took up arms in 1926 against the US occupation of Nicaragua -Lead a rebellion against the Nicaraguan Government from 1927- 1933 - Drew the USA into an undeclared war against the rebellion -Known as the “bandit” by the US Government -Became a hero in the eyes of many Latin Americans -Was assassinated by men working for Anastasio Somoza Garcia Augusto Cesar Sandino

Cause:Augusto Sandino Sandino helped inspire the goals of the Nicaraguan Revolution Sandino empathized patriotism, civil liberties, and constitutional government He desired to give peasants the right to buy and sell their crops Sandino desired a social revolution and the expulsion of American forces Sandino’s execution lead to lasting animosity against the Somoza family As such, Sandino’s execution lead to lasting anger towards the Somoza Dynasty -The Sandinistas took on his name -Murals, poster, and slogans were used to keep Sandino’s memory

Anastasio Somoza Garcia (1896-1956) -Began the Somoza Dynasty -Used Marriage and Bribery to gain political strength -Rose quickly through the political ranks -Became leader of the National Guard in 1933 -Used his power to get himself “elected” as president -He took office in January of 1937

Mural of Sandino

Mural of Sandino

Background:The Somozas Anastasio Somoza Debayle Anastasio Somoza Garcia Luis Somoza Debayle

The Policies of Anastasio Somoza -Somoza worked to decrease Nicaragua's reliance on Banana exports - He increased Nicaragua’s use of mineral, animal, and agricultural resources -Somoza amassed a considerable wealth - Used political exile to retain his rule - These extensions of power began a trend of national unrest

Treatment of the Poor Somoza policies favored the rich while doing little for the poor The poor were not considered worthy of the help of poverty alleviation The poor were not given adequate health care Most were not given proper education Illiteracy among the poor was over 80% Land was taken from the poor to make room for crops Land was used for exports rather than domestic agriculture

US Policies in Nicaragua -Initially interfered in Nicaragua in 1909 to aid Juan Estrada’s bid for the Presidency -Estrada became President and led an American-supporting government -When General Luis Media rebelled in 1912, the US occupied the country -Occupation continued and rebellions were dealt with until Sandino’s uprising in 1926 -Eventually forced out in 1933 -Supported the Somoza family during their long reign -Would eventually clash with the Sandinistas

US Support of the Somozas FDR with Anastasio Somoza Garcia Richard Nixon with Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Causes: Poverty The economy of Nicaragua was heavily based on agriculture Most of the money went to those who owned the crops, not those who grew them The gap between rich and poor continued to grow as time went by In 1972, an earthquake struck the capital city of Managua Tens of thousands were left homeless and jobless Foreign aid went to the Somozas and not to the people who needed it Aftermath of earthquake resulted in growing tensions between the Somozas

Managua Earthquake

Sandinistas -The Sandinista National Liberation Front(Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional) was founded in 1961 by a coalition of youth protesters led by Carlos Fonseca -Determined to keep Sandino’s legacy alive by fighting against the tyranny of the Somozas -Began launching guerilla campaigns in the 1970s -Used force to get Sandinista leaders out of jail and to try to reform government policies

The Revolution Escalates -Somoza responded to the Sandinistas with equal force -Censored the media and used imprisonment and torture to intimidate the revolutionaries into giving up -Killings by the Nicaraguan National Guard increased and became more ruthless -In 1975, Sandinista leader Carlos Fonseca was captured and killed by Somoza’s men

Out With The Somozas... Facing growing pressure from the Sandinistas, Anastasio Somoza Debayle resigned the Presidency on July 17, 1979 The Sandinistas established the Junta of National Reconstruction to rebuild the country Sandinistas began campaigns for redistributing land, increasing literacy, and improving healthcare The Junta was applauded internationally for these reforms

The Sandinistas enter Managua, 1979

...In With the Contras By 1981, several counterrevolutionary groups had formed in Nicaragua Some comprised of Somoza loyalists, others ethnic minorities who desired more self-determination The groups were known collectively as the Contras The Contras had the support of the US government under Ronald Reagan Clashes between the Contras and the new Sandinista government would bring about a civil war

American Intervention(1979-1990) The United States supported the Contras in dismantling the Sandinistas - US President Ronald Reagan was highly opposed to the left-wing government of the Sandinistas -The USA blocked loans to Nicaraguan banks crippling the economy - Investments in Nicaragua were no longer insured -Embargos deprived Nicaragua of the materials needed for agriculture -The Reagan administration supported the Contras through the Iran Contra deal This empowerment allowed for the Contra Uprising to be more viable

Historiography: Marxist POV Opinion of Marxist Scholars (Carlos Vilas, Galio Gurdian, Charles Hale) -Conflict was inevitable due to the inevitable injustice of capitalism -Workers and unemployed disempowered because they hold little power - Rebellion against a capitalist system was necessary for a more free nation - This rebellion took form as the Sandinistas - Focus on political and economic causes

Historiography: Richard Grossman Grossman Emphasizes the United States Role in Causing the Conflict -The United States aided in the putting down Sandino’s revolution -The United States played a key role in sponsoring the Guardia Nacional and Marine Support -The United States was instrumental in establishing the Somoza dynasty -Exploitative Trade Policies made Nicaragua extremely dependant on US trade -The United States sponsored the Contras via the Iran Contra Deal

America’s Role in Nicaragua's Revolution

Review Questions Name one way in which the United States contributed to the conflict in Nicaragua. In what ways did the Managuan earthquake contribute to tensions in Nicaragua? What economic factors lead to the Nicaraguan Revolution? What man became a figure of the Sandinista Movement?