# First Dominican Republic

The First Dominican Republic, (Spanish: Primera República Dominicana, Primera República) was a predecessor of the currently existing Dominican Republic, and began on 27 February 1844 with the proclamation of the Dominican Republic, and culminated on 18 March 1861 with the annexation of the country to Spain. During these 17 years the nation was economically and politically unstable due to prior war against Haiti and internal conflicts. There were 8 governments (3 of which corresponded to Pedro Santana and 2 to Buenaventura Báez).
The era of the First Republic was a period of great importance in Dominican history, as it marked the beginning of its independent life. This stage spanned from 1844 to 1861. The independence of the Dominican Republic was proclaimed on February 27, 1844, when a group of young patriots led by Juan Pablo Duarte and other prominent Dominican leaders rebelled against Haitian rule. This proclamation marked the end of the Haitian occupation of Santo Domingo, leading to the establishment of the new nation. After this, the Dominican Republic would have to fend off against external interests from Haiti, Spain, France, Great Britain, and the United States to maintain its sovereignty.
Internally, the new nation faced a series of challenges, including the construction of a stable political system and the organization of the state structure. During this stage, the country's first Constitution was promulgated in November 1844, which established a republican and democratic system. However, the nation for much of the period operated under the rule of conservative cuadillos, who sought out to disburse the liberal principles that laid the foundation of the patriotic sentiment.
The first Republic was also a de facto French protectorate, the Junta Gubernativa declared it the Protectorate of Dominican Republic

## History

On the night of February 27, 1844, the leaders of the Triniatrios were going to make their dreams come true: to not only free the Dominicans from Haitian control, but to established an independent state free from all foreign power. At dawn, the blunderbuss shot of Matías Ramón Mella rang out at the Puerta de la Misericordia, and thus, the Dominican Republic was born. That same day, the Dominican Act of Independence, which became the Constitutive Act of the Dominican State, was read at the Puerta del Conde. Simultaneously, another group of patriots led by Francisco del Rosario Sánchez declared independence and forced the Haitian garrison in Santo Domingo led by Desgrotte capitulate. As there were a few detachments with Haitian troops in the regime, it was an easy task to initially shake off their domination. During the period called The First Republic (1844-1861), the Haitians tried on numerous occasions to regain control over the Dominican part of the island, but were defeated time and again by Creole forces. The decision of the vast majority of Dominicans to be free and independent, the fight in their own territory, generally from more advantageous positions, the use of pack animals for transport and combat, while the Haitians marched on foot and did not receive support of food, medicine and other supplies from their country when they were on campaign; They were factors that contributed to militarily consolidating the independence from Haiti.

### Development of a new constitution

During this time, a new Constitution was established that laid the foundation for the country's political organization. The new Constitution was drafted and promulgated in 1844, shortly after the Dominican Republic declared its independence from Haiti. This Constitution established a republican system of government, in which the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens were recognized.
One of the most notable aspects of this Constitution was the division of powers. The executive power was in the hands of a president, elected by popular vote, who was in charge of governing the country. The legislative power fell to a bicameral Congress, composed of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate, in charge of making laws. And finally, the judicial power was in the hands of a Supreme Court of Justice, in charge of guaranteeing impartiality and justice in the legal system.
In addition to the division of powers, the Constitution of the First Republic also established the separation of Church and State. This meant that the State could not intervene in religious affairs and that every citizen was free to profess the religion of his or her choice.
The new Constitution of the First Dominican Republic laid the foundations for the political organization of the country. It established a republican system of government, with a division of powers and the separation of Church and State.

### Conflicts and political struggles

Since its formation, the First Dominican Republic faced a series of internal conflicts and political struggles. One of the main conflicts was the struggle between conservatives and liberals, who had divergent political and economic visions. From the day after the Declaration of Independence, political power passed to the conservative group of hateros and Frenchified bureaucrats. Through majority control, the presidency of the Central Government Board was in the hands of Tomás Bobadilla, and the Liberation Army with General Pedro Santana, and his Seiban lancers. Although they were the ones who had the experience in managing men for the coming war, they were also allies of the bourgeoisie of foreign importers and exporters who supported the annexation of the country to the highest power. After a failed attempt by the petty bourgeoisie to regain power under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte, who represented the strongest component opposed to the imposition of foreign rule, the hatero sector led by Santana, leader of the East of the country, expelled the Trinitarios and established a military dictatorship, which was only disputed by his former protégé, Buenaventura Báez, a rancher-logger and merchant from the South, more educated and better administrator, although more cunning end even honest than Santana.
As the Dominican War of Independence raged on through the 1840s and 1850s, both politicians extended their influence over the entire nation and separated it from its sovereign destiny. One of the key moments of this period was the government of Pedro Santana. Santana was a Dominican military man and politician who played a fundamental role in the country's independence. However, his government was marked by corruption and political repression. During his term, Santana adopted authoritarian and centralist measures, which generated discontent among various sectors of Dominican society. In addition, his economic policy favored large landowners and harmed small farmers and workers These unpopular measures and the lack of legitimacy of Santana's government contributed to the worsening of the political crisis in the First Dominican Republic.
However, other administrations proved to be just as disastrous. In 1857, the tobacco farmers and retail merchants of Cibao with the center of Santiago, who had continued to grow economically without achieving greater influence in the government, rose up against the Báez government under the leadership of José Desiderio Valverde, accusing him of speculating against him with tobacco and hard currency. The revolutionaries placed the Baecistas around Santo Domingo, proclaimed a liberal constitution and moved the capital to Santiago, but they accepted the return of Santana and put him in command of the besieging troops. After finally triumphing against Báez, Santana also turned against the Cibaeños liberals, reestablished his control over the country and took advantage of international conditions, the American Civil War and the new rise of European colonialism, to annex propagate a new annexation project. This became the prelude for the annexation to Spain in 1861.

### Border conflicts with Haiti

The border conflict with Haiti was one of the main challenges faced by the First Dominican Republic (1844-1861). Since its independence in 1844, the Dominican Republic had to deal with territorial disputes and tensions with its Haiti. The border between the two countries was not clearly defined and this led to constant conflicts and territorial disputes. Haiti claimed the entire island of Hispaniola, while the Dominican Republic defended its independence and sovereignty over its territory.
These border tensions led to several armed clashes between the two countries. The Dominican Republic had to defend itself and protect its borders from Haitian incursions and attacks. To resolve the conflict, various negotiations and diplomatic agreements were held, but none achieved a lasting solution. Territorial disputes continued throughout the existence of the First Dominican Republic. This border conflict with Haiti had a significant impact on the political and economic stability of the country during that period. The Dominican Republic had to allocate resources and efforts to defend its territory, which affected its development and growth as a nation.
Despite diplomatic and military efforts, the border conflict with Haiti was not resolved during the First Dominican Republic. It was not until years later, in the 20th century, that clear boundaries were established between the two countries.

## Economy

The First Republic was a period characterized by relative economic stability in the country. During this time, the Dominican economy was based primarily on agriculture, especially the production of sugar, coffee, and tobacco. These products were exported to other countries, which generated income for the development and growth of the country. Sugar production was especially important during this period, as the Dominican Republic became one of the main sugar producers in the Caribbean. This attracted foreign investments and contributed to the country's economic growth.
In addition to agriculture, other economic activities were also developed, such as mining and trade. Deposits of gold and silver were discovered in some regions of the country, which attracted miners and businessmen interested in exploiting these resources. Trade also benefited, as trade relations were established with other countries in the region and ports were built to facilitate the exchange of goods.
A period of economic stability was experienced during the First Republic of the Dominican Republic , driven primarily by agricultural production, mining, and trade. These factors contributed to the growth and development of the country at that time.

## Presidents

Presidents of the First Republic :
| Santana | Jimenes | Santana | Báez | Santana | Regla Mota | Báez | Desiderio Valverde |
| 1844 | 1848 | May 1849 | September 1849 | 1853 | 1855 | 1856 | 1857 |
| Santana |
| 1858-1861 |