Background
The United States occupied the Dominican Republic on April 28, 1965. This occupation was a result of the political uncertainty that followed the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, a dictator in power from 1930 until his death in 1961. On May 20th, 1962, President Juan Bosch was elected. During his government the Constitution of 1963 was drafted.His democratic approach, respectful of civil liberties, was seen as Communist by conservative sectors of the country. This led to a US supported coup d'etat led by conservative colonel Elias Wessin on September 25, 1963. Juan Bosch was exiled in Puerto Rico.
The armed forces established a Triunvirate in power, which was given this name because of its three members, Dr. Emilio de los Santos (president, replaced later on by Donald Reid Cabral), Dr. Ramon Tapia Espinal and Dr. Manuel Tavares Espaillat. This government was not accepted by the people, and was confronted by a revolution. The rebels, also known as Constitutionalists (because they wanted the reinstatement of the 1963 Constitution), overthrew the Triunvirate on April 24, 1965.Their leaders were Francisco Caamano and Colonel Manuel Ramon Montes Arache. The conservatives, opposing Bosch's return, were the Loyalists. The new president was a provisional one, Dr. Rafael Morina Urena. Juan Bosch's return was announced, but this was met with bombings and attacks on the National Palace by the Loyalists, led by general Wessin. Rafael Urena, the provisional president, resigned and sought refuge in the Colombian Embassy.
This was the "April 1965 Revolution", which lasted from April 24 to April 28, 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson, adviced by US ambassador W. Tapley Bennett, ordered the deployment of US forces in the Dominican Republic. The US government feared the creation of a "second Cuba". The second US occupation of the Dominican Republic began. It ended in September 1966.
From
http://wikipedia.org
http://lacomunidad.elpais.com/usolis4587
http://siglo21.com
Rationale for Documents
The following is a small compilation of documents showing varied perspectives on this historical subject. They were chosen because they evidence myriad views on the US Occupation, and may lead students to their own conclusions and judgments on this event.
1. From momentumradical.blogspot.com
April 27, 2008.
"April 28, 1965...Memories of the Fire".
Invading Soldiers Land in Santo Domingo
1. Where was this picture taken?
2. Who was involved in this war?
3. Why did the fighting occur?
4. When did it happen?
5. How long did it take place?
6. How did it end?
La Venda Transparente de Rafi Genao.
July 8, 2009
US Soldiers salute youngsters and children in the streets they controlled.
1. What were these soldiers doing?
2. Why were the children approaching them?
3. Did the Dominican Republic embrace the USA occupation? Why or Why not?
4. Was it safe to be "out and about" during the USA occupation? How do we know?
5. What was the general environment in the country during the USA occupation?
6. What was the outcome of the occupation for the Dominicans?
7. How can this picture be used to support American Imperialism?
La Venda Transparente de Rafi Genao.
July 8, 2009
Photo sequence showing the moment in which a young man protesting in front of the National Palace is shot.
1. Why was he protesting?
2. Why was he shot?
3. Where did this happen?
4. Was the shooter on the Constitutionalist side or the Loyalist side?
5. Was the protester on the Constitutionalist side or the Loyalist side?
6. Did the shot victim survive the assault? What happened to him?
7. What happened next?
8. How can this sequence of pictures be used to criticize American Imperialism?
La Venda Transparente de Rafi Genao.
July 8, 2009
"Incredible" pictures taken by Juan Perez Terrero showing an icon of the resistance against the 1965 invasion.
1. What was the problem?
2. Who are the people in this picture?
3. What did the soldier say?
4. What did the civilian say?
5. What happened to the civilian?
6. Was this type of scene common during the USA occupation of the Dominican Republic?
5.http://thefilmarchive.org/
Marines in Action: Dominican Rescue-Vietnam Offensive (1965)
1.Why did the Rebel movement collapse?
2. Why was the Dominican Republic being rescued?
3. Why did the rebels want to reinstate Juan Bosch?
4. Why were Americans in danger?
5. Why couldn't Dominicans establish a stable government independently?
6. What evidence was there that Juan Bosch was pro-Castro?
7. Who were the three men in the "Junta", which was the government in place during the Occupation?
8. What does the word "leatherneck" mean?
April 1965 war
2nd US intervention in the Dominican Republic
Historic-Pedagogic Capsule of the General National Archives (Secondary Source)
1. Were all Dominicans against the USA Occupation?
2. What government repressed public liberties after the killing of dictator Trujillo?
3. What was the Inter-American Peace Force and who were its members?
4. Who was in the provisional government created after the USA occupation?
5. What is a "de-facto" government?
6. How did the provisional government violate civil liberties?
7. Who were the Constitutionalists?
8. Who were the Loyalists?
9. Where were the Constitutionalist and Loyalist zones located?
7. Portion of a Radio Broadcast during the April 1965 Revolution
1. Who was Freddy Beras Goico?
2. What was Freddy Beras Goico's role in the USA Occupation of the Dominican Republic? What is its relevance today?
3. Where were the Amado Garcia Guerrero and Concepcion Bona streets located?
4. Where these streets' locations part of the Constitutionalist or Loyalist zones?
5. Why were the police and the white helmets "shooting the population"?
6. How did the civilians fight back?
8. Anthem of the Revolution, from "La Trinchera del Honor", a documentary on the April 1965 Movement.
1. Who wrote it?
2. When?
3. The anthem says, "Let's Fight, Let's Fight, Let's Fight!". What did Dominicans need to fight for?
4. The Constitutionalist fight was named "The April Revolution.". What is the meaning of the word "Revolution" and how does it apply to this context?
5. The anthem also says, "We will be victorious, like Luperon." Who was (Gregorio Luperon)?
6. How was this struggle similar to Gregorio Luperon's?
9. June 6, 1965
Francisco Alberto Caamano addressing the crowd (first 37 seconds)
1. Who was Francisco Alberto Caamano?
2. When did he address the people?
3. What was his role in the Dominican Revolution of 1965?
4. Was he successful in his quest for freedom for Dominicans?
5. What happened to him after the US forces left the Dominican Republic?
6. How did he die?
7. Who was Imbert Barrera?
From the "Lessons Learned" section of this document:
1. What political solution would have been acceptable to the United States?
2. What lessons did the Occupation army learn regarding deployment of Marine and Army airlifted units?
3. Define these terms:
Political Fluidity
Contingency
4. What humanitarian actions did the US army engage in during the Occupation?
1. Who was Lyndon B. Johnson?
2. What was his role in the 1965 USA Occupation of the Dominican Republic?
3. "General Wheeler...has just reported to me that there have been no incidents." What does President Lyndon B. Johnson refer to when he says "incidents"?
4. "We have appealed for a cease-fire between the contending forces." Which were the contending forces in this conflict?
5. What does the term "cease-fire" mean?
6. Why do you think it was not possible for the contending forces to accomplish a "cease-fire"
Final Thought
Rescue effort? Imperialism at its best? Fight for self-determination? Hopefully after examining these documents and answering the questions herein, students will be able to reach their own conclusions regarding US policy in its 1965 occupation of the Dominican Republic. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment to come out of this attempt at historiography will be to make students more interested in this and other topics.
