Dominican Republic: US Intervention & Political Turmoil (1899-1916)

Ulises Heureaux's Era and US Intervention in the Dominican Republic

During Ulises Heureaux's rule, the Dominican Republic was led into financial chaos. An interventionist US policy was pushed through by taking control of the country's finances. After Heureaux's death, struggles for power revived. The country saw the emergence of new leaders and political groups, including Jimenistas, Horacistas, and Velazquistas.

The financial chaos was used as justification for US military intervention in 1916. This occupation lasted eight years and brought a rapid process of changes, including:

• Disarmament of the population
• Replacement of the National Guard with US-controlled armed forces
• Changes in the system of land holdings
• An aggressive public works program
• Intensive development of the sugar industry

President Wilson's project reaffirmed the right of intervention in the domestic affairs of the Dominican Republic. The US government claimed it had the duty to ensure the continuation of constitutional government.

Economic Changes and Political Landscape

At the time of *Lilís* (Ulises Heureaux), the country was completely ruined financially. Cibao tobacco lost its primacy, making way for successful new production items such as cocoa and coffee. Sugar became predominant in the southeast.

Opposition to Heureaux's late government was led by Horacio Vazquez and Ramon Caceres. Wenceslao Figuereo assumed the presidency, but Vasquez took up arms and replaced him in September 1899. Vasquez restored freedom of expression, invited exiles to return, and removed *Lilís*' ballots. He also established an exchange rate of 5 pesos for 1 dollar.

Debt and Foreign Intervention

The national debt exceeded $35 million, and customs were under the control of the Santo Domingo Improvement Company. This debt consisted of bonds sold to France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and England, but the country failed to pay them with the revenue levied from its customs.

By 1900, these countries demanded payment from the Dominican state, threatening to use force. Jimenez was able to recover customs control. On April 26, 1902, Vasquez and his supporters took up arms and took the presidency from Jimenez.

Political Divisions

The country was divided into two main groups: followers of Vasquez and followers of Jimenez. The former were associated with the old *baecista* red party (umbrella), and the latter with the old blue party. Horacistas were known as *bolos* (tailless). These were further divided into *bolos* led by Desiderio Arias ( *patas blancas* - white feet) and *bolos* led by Juan Isidro Jimenez ( *patas prietas* - black feet).