Nicaragua - The Somoza Era, 1936-74 The Somoza Era, 1936-74 Nicaragua Table of Contents Somoza Garc�a controlled political power, directly as president or indirectly through carefully chosen puppet presidents, from 1936 until his assassination in 1956. A cynical and opportunistic individual, Somoza Garc�a ruled Nicaragua with a strong arm, deriving his power from three main sources: the ownership or control of large portions of the Nicaraguan economy, the military support of the National Guard, and his acceptance and support from the United States. His excellent command of the English language and understanding of United States culture, combined with a charming personality and considerable political talent and resourcefulness, helped Somoza Garc�a win many powerful allies in the United States. Through large investments in land, manufacturing, transport, and real estate, he enriched himself and his close friends. After Somoza Garc�a won in the December 1936 presidential elections, he diligently proceeded to consolidate his power within the National Guard, while at the same time dividing his political opponents. Family members and close associates were given key positions within the government and the military.

The Somoza family also controlled the PLN, which in turn controlled the legislature and judicial system, thus giving Somoza Garc�a absolute power over every sphere of Nicaraguan politics. Nominal political opposition was allowed as long as it did not threaten the ruling elite. Somoza Garc�a's National Guard repressed serious political opposition and antigovernment demonstrations. The institutional power of the National Guard grew in most government-owned enterprises, until eventually it controlled the national radio and telegraph networks, the postal and immigration services, health services, the internal revenue service, and the national railroads. In less than two years after his election, Somoza Garc�a, defying the Conservative Party, declared his intention to stay in power beyond his presidential term. Thus, in 1938 Somoza Garc�a named a Constituent Assembly that gave the president extensive power and elected him for another eight-year term. Somoza Garc�a's opportunistic support of the Allies during World War II benefited Nicaragua by injecting desperately needed United States funds into the economy and increasing military capabilities.

Nicaragua received relatively large amounts of military aid and enthusiastically integrated its economy into the wartime hemispheric economic plan, providing raw materials in support of the Allied war effort. Exports of timber, gold, and cotton soared. However, because more than 90 percent of all exports went to the United States, the growth in trade also increased the country's economic and political dependence. Somoza Garc�a built an immense fortune for himself and his family during the 1940s through substantial investments in agricultural exports, especially in coffee and cattle. The government confiscated German properties and then sold them to Somoza Garc�a and his family at ridiculously low prices. Among his many industrial enterprises, Somoza Garc�a owned textile companies, sugar mills, rum distilleries, the merchant marine lines, the national Nicaraguan Airlines (L�neas A�reas de Nicaragua--Lanica), and La Salud dairy--the country's only pasteurized milk facility. Somoza Garc�a also gained large profits from economic concessions to national and foreign companies, bribes, and illegal exports.

By the end of World War II, Somoza Garc�a had amassed one of the largest fortunes in the region--an estimated US$60 million. After World War II, however, widespread domestic and international opposition to the Somoza Garc�a dictatorship grew among political parties, labor, business groups, and the United States government. Somoza Garc�a's decision to run for reelection in 1944 was opposed by some liberals, who established the Independent Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Independiente--PLI). Somoza Garc�a's reelection was also opposed by the United States government. The dictator reacted to growing criticism by creating a puppet government to save his rule. He decided not to run for reelection and had the PLN nominate the elderly Leonardo Arg�ello, believing he could control Arg�ello from behind the scenes. Arg�ello ran against Enoc Aguado, a candidate supported by a coalition of political parties that included the conservatives and the PLI. Despite the large support for the Aguado candidacy, Somoza Garc�a subverted the electoral process by using government resources and the National Guard to ensure the electoral victory of his candidate.

Arg�ello was sworn in on May 1, 1947, and Somoza Garc�a remained as chief director of the National Guard. Arg�ello had no intention of being a puppet, however, and in less than a month, when Arg�ello's measures began to challenge Somoza Garc�a's power, the National Guard chief staged a coup and placed a family associate, Benjam�n Lacayo Sacasa, in the presidency. The administration of United States president Harry S. Truman responded by withholding diplomatic recognitions from the new Nicaraguan government. In an effort to legitimize the new regime and win United States support, Somoza Garc�a named a Constituent Assembly to write a new constitution. The assembly then appointed Somoza Garc�a's uncle, V�ctor Rom�n Reyes, as president. The constitution of 1947 was carefully crafted with strong anticommunist rhetoric to win United States support. Despite efforts by Somoza Garc�a's to placate the United States, the United States continued its opposition and refused to recognize the new regime.

Under diplomatic pressure from the rest of Latin America, formal diplomatic relations between Managua and Washington were restored in mid-1948. Despite its anticommunist rhetoric, the government promoted liberal labor policies to gain support from the communist party of Nicaragua, known as the Nicaraguan Socialist Party (Partido Socialista Nicarag�ese--PSN) and thwarted the establishment of any independent labor movement. The government approved several progressive laws in 1945 to win government support from labor unions. Concessions and bribes were granted to labor leaders, and antigovernment union leaders were displaced in favor of Somoza Garc�a loyalists. However, after placement of pro-Somoza Garc�a leaders in labor unions, most labor legislation was ignored. In 1950 Somoza Garc�a signed an agreement with conservative general Emiliano Chamorro Vargas that assured the Conservative Party of one-third of the congressional delegates as well as limited representation in the cabinet and in the courts. Somoza Garc�a also promised clauses in the new 1950 constitution guaranteeing "commercial liberty." This measure brought back limited support from the traditional elite to the Somoza Garc�a regime.

The elite benefited from the economic growth of the 1950s and 1960s, especially in the cotton and cattle export sectors. Somoza Garc�a again was elected president in general elections held in 1950. In 1955 Congress amended the constitution to allow his reelection for yet another presidential term. Somoza Garc�a had many political enemies, and coups against him were attempted periodically, even within the National Guard. For protection, he constructed a secure compound within his residence and kept personal bodyguards, independent of the National Guard, with him wherever he went. Nevertheless, on September 21, 1956, while attending a PLN party in Le�n to celebrate his nomination for the presidency, Somoza Garc�a was fatally wounded, by Rigoberto L�pez P�rez, a twenty-seven-year- old Nicaraguan poet, who had managed to pass through Somoza Garc�a's security. The dictator was flown to the Panama Canal Zone, where he died eight days later. Somoza Garc�a was succeeded as president by his eldest son Luis Somoza Debayle.

A United States-trained engineer, Luis Somoza Debayle was first elected as a PLN delegate in 1950 and by 1956 presided over the Nicaraguan Congress. After his father's death, he assumed the position of interim president, as prescribed in the constitution. His brother Anastasio "Tachito" Somoza Debayle, a West Point graduate, took over leadership of the National Guard. A major political repression campaign followed Somoza Garc�a's assassination: many political opponents were tortured and imprisoned by guards under orders from Anastasio Somoza Debayle and the government imposed press censorship and suspended many civil liberties. When the Conservative Party refused to participate in the 1957 elections--in protest of the lack of freedom imposed by the regime--the Somoza brothers created a puppet opposition party, the National Conservative Party (Partido Conservador Nacional-- PCN), to give a democratic facade to the political campaign. Luis Somoza Debayle won the presidency in 1957 with little opposition.

During his six-year term, from 1957 to 1963, his government provided citizens with some freedoms and raised hopes for political liberalization. In an effort to open up the government, Luis Somoza Debayle restored the constitutional ban on reelection. In 1960 Nicaragua joined El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (Costa Rica joined later) in the establishment of the Central American Common Market (CACM--see Appendix B). The main objective of the regional economic group was to promote trade among member countries. Under this partnership, trade and manufacturing increased, greatly stimulating economic growth. Furthermore, in the international political sphere, Luis Somoza Debayle's anticommunist stance won government favor and support from the United States. In 1959 Nicaragua was among the first nations to condemn the Cuban Revolution and to accuse Fidel Castro Ruz of attempting to overthrow the Nicaraguan government. The Luis Somoza Debayle government played a leading role in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, allowing the Cuban exile brigade to use military bases on the Caribbean coast to launch the failed maneuver.

Trusted friends of the Somoza family held the presidency from 1963 until 1967. In 1963 Ren� Schick Guti�rrez won the presidential election; Somoza Garc�a's younger son, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, continued as chief director of the National Guard. Shick gave the appearance of following the less repressive programs of Luis Somoza Debayle. President Schick died in 1966 and was succeeded by Lorenzo Guerrero Guti�rrez. When poor health prevented Luis Somoza Debayle from being a candidate, his brother Anastasio ran in the 1967 presidential election. To challenge the candidacy of Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the conservatives, the PLI, and the Christian Social Party (Partido Social Cristiano-PSC) created the National Opposition Union (Uni�n Nacional Opositora-UNO). The UNO nominated Fernando Ag�ero as their candidate. In February 1967, Anastasio Somoza Debayle was elected president amidst a repressive campaign against opposition supporters of Ag�ero.

Two months later, Anastasio's brother Luis died of a heart attack. With his election, Anastasio Somoza Debayle became president as well as the director of the National Guard, giving him absolute political and military control over Nicaragua. Corruption and the use of force intensified, accelerating opposition from populist and business groups. Although his four-year term was to end in 1971, Anastasio Somoza Debayle amended the constitution to stay in power until 1972. Increasing pressures from the opposition and his own party, however, led the dictator to negotiate a political agreement, known as the Kupia-Kumi Pact, which installed a three-member junta that would rule from 1972 until 1974. The junta was established in May 1972 amidst opposition led by Pedro Joaqu�n Chamorro Cardenal and his newspaper La Prensa. Popular discontent also grew in response to deteriorating social conditions. Illiteracy, malnourishment, inadequate health services, and lack of proper housing also ignited criticism from the Roman Catholic Church, led by Archbishop Miguel Obando y Bravo.

The archbishop began to publish a series of pastoral letters critical of Anastasio Somoza Debayle's government. On December 23, 1972, a powerful earthquake shook Nicaragua, destroying most of the capital city. The earthquake left approximately 10,000 dead and some 50,000 families homeless, and destroyed 80 percent of Managua's commercial buildings. Immediately after the earthquake, the National Guard joined the widespread looting of most of the remaining business establishments in Managua. When reconstruction began, the government's illegal appropriation and mismanagement of international relief aid, directed by the Somoza family and members of the National Guard, shocked the international community and produced further unrest in Nicaragua. The president's ability to take advantage of the people's suffering proved enormous. By some estimates, his personal wealth soared to US$400 million in 1974. As a result of his greed, Anastasio Somoza Debayle's support base within the business sector began to crumble. A revived labor movement increased opposition to the regime and to the deteriorating economic conditions.

Anastasio Somoza Debayle's intentions to run for another presidential term in 1974 were resisted even within his own PLN. The political opposition, led by Chamorro and former Minister of Education Ramiro Sacasa, established the Democratic Liberation Union (Uni�n Democr�tica de Liberaci�n--Udel), an opposition group that included most anti-Somoza elements. The Udel was a broad coalition of business groups whose representation included members from both the traditional elite and labor unions. The party promoted a dialogue with the government to foster political pluralism. The president responded with increasing political repression and further censorship of the media and the press. In September 1974, Anastasio Somoza Debayle was reelected president. Custom Search Biography of Anastasio Somoza García Biography of Anastasio Somoza García Biography of Anastasio Somoza García Anastasio Somoza García. Public Domain Image Share By Christopher Minster Anastasio Somoza García (1896-1956) was a Nicaraguan General, President, and dictator from 1936 to 1956.

His administration, while being one of the most corrupt in history and brutal to dissidents, was nevertheless supported by the United States because it was viewed as anti-communist. Early Years and Family: Somoza was born into the Nicaraguan upper-middle class. His father was a wealthy coffee grower, and young Anastasio was sent to Philadelphia to study business. While there, he met a fellow Nicaraguan, also from a wealthy family: Salvadora Debayle Sacasa. They would wed in 1919 over her parents’ objections: they felt that Anastasio was not good enough for her. They returned to Nicaragua, where Anastasio tried and failed at running a business. U.S. Intervention in Nicaragua: The United States became directly involved in Nicaraguan politics in 1909, when it supported a rebellion against President Jose Santos Zelaya , who had long been an opponent of US policies in the area. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States In 1912, the Unites States sent marines to Nicaragua, to bolster the conservative government. The marines remained until 1925.

As soon as the marines left, liberal factions went to war against the conservatives: the marines returned after only 9 months away, this time staying until 1933. Beginning in 1927, renegade general Augusto César Sandino led a revolt against the government which lasted until 1933. Somoza and the Americans: Somoza had gotten involved in the presidential campaign of Juan Batista Sacasa, his wife’s uncle. Sacasa had been vice-president under a previous administration, which had been overthrown in 1925, but in 1926 he returned to press his claim as legitimate president. As the different factions fought, the U.S. was forced to step in and negotiate a settlement. Somoza, with his perfect English and insider’s position in the fracas, proved invaluable to the Americans. When Sacasa finally reached the presidency in 1933, the American ambassador persuaded him to name Somoza head of the National Guard. The National Guard and Sandino: The National Guard had been established as a militia, trained and equipped by the U.S. marines.

It was meant to keep in check the armies raised by the liberals and conservatives in their endless skirmishing over control of the country. In 1933, when Somoza took over as head of the National Guard, only one rogue army remained: that of Augusto César Sandino, a liberal who had been fighting since 1927. Sandino’s biggest issue was the presence of American marines in Nicaragua, and when they left in 1933, he finally agreed to negotiate a truce. He agreed to lay down his arms provided that his men be given land and amnesty. Somoza and Sandino: Somoza still saw Sandino as a threat, so in early 1934 he arranged to have Sandino captured. On February 21, 1934, Sandino was executed by the National Guard. Shortly thereafter, Somoza’s men raided the lands that had been given to Sandino’s men after the peace settlement, slaughtering the former guerillas.

In 1961, leftist rebels in Nicaragua established the National Liberation Front: in 1963 they added “Sandinista” to the name, assuming his name in their struggle against the Somoza regime, by then being led by Luís Somoza Debayle and his brother Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Anastasio Somoza García’s two sons. Somoza Seizes Power: President Sacasa’s administration was severely weakened in 1934-1935. The Great Depression had spread to Nicaragua, and the people were unhappy. In addition, there were many allegations of corruption against him and his government. In 1936, Somoza, whose power had been growing, took advantage of Sacasa’s vulnerability and forced him to resign, replacing him with Carlos Alberto Brenes, a Liberal Party politician who mostly answered to Somoza. Somoza himself was elected in a crooked election, assuming the Presidency on January 1, 1937. This began the period of Somoza rule in the country that would not end until 1979. Consolidation of Power: Somoza quickly acted to set himself up as dictator.

He took away any sort of real power of the opposition parties, leaving them only for show. He cracked down on the press. He moved to improve ties to the United States, and after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 he declared war on the Axis powers even before the United States did. Somoza also filled every important office in the nation with his family and cronies. Before long, he was in absolute control of Nicaragua. Height of Power: Somoza remained in power until 1956. He stepped down briefly from the presidency from 1947-1950, bowing to pressure from the United States, but continued to rule through a series of puppet presidents, usually family. During this time, he had the complete support of the United States Government. In the early 1950’s, once again President, Somoza continued to build his empire, adding an airline, a shipping company and several factories to his holdings. In 1954, he survived a coup attempt and also sent forces to Guatemala to help the CIA overthrow the government there.

Death and Legacy: On September 21, 1956, he was shot in the chest by a young poet and musician, Rigoberto López Pérez, at a party in the city of León. López was instantly brought down by Somoza bodyguards, but the president’s wounds would prove fatal a few days later. López would eventually be named a national hero by the Sandinista government. Upon his death, Somoza’s eldest son Luís Somoza Debayle took over, continuing the dynasty his father had established. The Somoza regime would continue through Luís Somoza Debayle (1956-1967) and his brother Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1967-1979) before being overthrown by the Sandinista rebels. Part of the reason that the Somozas were able to retain power for so long was the support of the U.S. government, which saw them as anti-communist. Allegedly, Franklin Roosevelt once said of him: “Somoza may be a son-of-a-bitch, but he’s our son-of-a-bitch,” although there is little direct proof of this quote.

The Somoza regime was extremely crooked. With his friends and family in every important office, Somoza greed ran unchecked. The government seized profitable farms and industries and then sold them to family members at absurdly low rates. Somoza named himself director of the railway system, and then used it to move his goods and crops at no charge to himself. Those industries that they could not personally exploit, such as mining and timber, they leased to foreign (mostly U.S.) companies for a healthy share of the profits. He and his family made untold millions of dollars. His two sons continued this level of corruption, making Somoza Nicaragua one of the most crooked countries in the history of Latin America , which is really saying something. This sort of corruption had a lasting effect on the economy, stifling it and contributing to Nicaragua as a somewhat backward country for a long time. A Brief History of Nicaragua A SHORT HISTORY OF NICARAGUA By Tim Lambert Early Nicaragua The agricultural revolution arrived in what is now Nicaragua about 400 BC. Then in 1502 Christopher Columbus landed on the coast of Nicaragua.

However the Europeans didn't explore inland until 1522 when Gil Gonzalez de Avila led an expedition to the region. The next year 1523 the Spanish landed in force and they founded Leon and Granada. The Spanish conquered Nicaragua and divided the land between themselves into large estates, which the native people were forced to work. In the 17th century English, Dutch and French pirates sometimes attacked the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. However little changed in Nicaragua till the early 19th century. In 1821 part of Central America broke away from Spanish rule and formed the United Central Provinces. However in 1838 Nicaragua became completely independent. During the 19th century Nicaragua was divided between Liberals and Conservatives. In 1855 an American Adventurer called William Walker seized power in Nicaragua and in 1856 he declared himself president. However he was driven out in 1857. In 1893 a man named Jose Santos Zelaya made himself dictator of Nicaragua. In 1909 there was a rebellion and Zelaya was forced to resign. In 1912 the USA sent marines to occupy Nicaragua.

They remained there until 1933. In 1936 Anastasio Somoza Garcia became dictator of Nicaragua. He and his family ruled the country for the next 42 years. Anasatasio Somoza Garcia was assassinated in 1956 but his son Luis Somoza Debayle took over as dictator of Nicaragua. He died in 1967 and was followed by his younger brother Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Modern Nicaragua Meanwhile in 1961 the Frente Sandinsta de Liberacion or Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was formed. They began a long guerilla war. In 1972 Mangua was struck by a severe earthquake. Somoza and his cronies took much of the international aid and opposition to his regime grew. By 1978 rebellion was spreading across Nicaragua. Finally in 1979 the Sandanistas launched an offensive. On 17 July 1979 Somoza fled abroad and on 19 July the Sandanistas captured Managua. The long campaign against Somoza had cost 50,000 lives.

Meanwhile in 1972 Managua, the capital of Nicaragua was devastated by an earthquake which killed thousands. Daniel Ortega became president of Nicaragua in 1984. Meanwhile relations with the USA deteriorated. The US ended aid in 1981 and introduced a trade embargo in 1985. (It was lifted in 1990). In 1990 the opposition to the Sandanista's the Union Nacional Opositora (UNO) won elections to the assembly and the presidency. Violeta Chamorro became the first woman president of Nicaragua. In 1997 Arnoldo Aleman became president. He was followed by Enrique Bolanos. Daniel Ortega was elected president in 2006. He was re-elected in 2011. Today Nicaragua is still a very poor country. Nicaragua is overwhelmingly an agricultural nation but tourism is a growing industry. Many people from Nicaragua work abroad and there is much underemployment at home. Today the population of Nicaragua is 5.7 million. Brief history of Nicaragua — TUDelft Marie Louise Greijmans During the 19th century Nicaragua was divided between Liberals and Conservatives.

The power in the country switched from American to Nicaraguan leaders. In 1936 Anastasio Somoza Garcia became dictator of Nicaragua. He and his family ruled the country for the next 42 years. The Somoza dictatorship continued and was passed on to other family members. Meanwhile in 1961 the Frente Sandinsta de Liberacion or Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was formed. They began a long guerilla war. In 1972 Managua was struck by a severe earthquake, that killed thousands. Somoza and his cronies took much of the international aid and opposition to his regime grew. By 1978 rebellion was spreading across Nicaragua. Finally in 1979 the Sandanistas launched an offensive. On 17 July 1979 Somoza fled abroad and on 19 July the Sandanistas captured Managua. The long campaign against Somoza had cost 50,000 lives. Meanwhile relations with the USA deteriorated. The US ended aid in 1981 and introduced a trade embargo in 1985. (It was lifted in 1990).

Daniel Ortega (Sandanista) was elected president in 2006. He was re-elected in 2011. Today Nicaragua is still a very poor country. Nicaragua is overwhelmingly an agricultural nation but tourism is a growing industry. Many people from Nicaragua work abroad and there is much underemployment at home. Today the population of Nicaragua is 5.7 million. [1] UNC Press - The Regime of Anastasio Somoza, 1936-1956 The Regime of Anastasio Somoza, 1936-1956 By Knut Walter To many observers, Anastasio Somoza, who ruled Nicaragua from 1936 until his assassination in 1956, personified the worst features of a dictator. While not dismissing these characteristics, Knut Walter argues that the regime was in fact more notable for its achievement of stability, economic growth, and state building than for its personalistic and dictatorial features. Using a wide range of sources in Nicaraguan archives, Walter focuses on institutional and structural developments to explain how Somoza gained and consolidated power.

According to Walter, Somoza preferred to resolve conflicts by political means rather than by outright coercion. Specifically, he built his government on agreements negotiated with the country's principal political actors, labor groups, and business organizations. Nicaragua's two traditional parties, one conservative and the other liberal, were included in elections, thus giving the appearance of political pluralism. Partly as a result, the opposition was forced to become increasingly radical, says Walter; eventually, in 1979, Nicaragua produced the only successful revolution in Central America and the first in all of Latin America since Cuba's. Anastasio Somoza Garcia Blog Anastasio Somoza Garcia Anastasio Somoza was born on February 1, 1896, in San Marcos, Nicaragua. When Anastasio was a youth, he was sent to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, to live with relatives while attending the Pierce School of Business Administration. Following his schooling, he went home to Nicaragua, but was unsuccessful in business. He joined the Liberal revolution in 1926. When the U.S. Marines entered the country, he rose through the ranks of a constabulary force organized by them.

After fighting General Augusto Sandino and his forces from 1927 to 1933, the marines evacuated the country and left Somoza in charge of the newly formed National Guard. He ordered the successful assassination of General Sandino in 1934. Somoza then overthrew the elected Nicaraguan government in 1936 and became the country's dictator in 1937. Somoza ruled until 1956, when he was shot to death by an assassin. Off-site search results for "Anastasio Somoza Garcia"... Nicaragua: Where Are We Heading? A Socialist Labor Party Statement— Nicaragua: Where Are We Heading? February 21 marks the anniversary of the murder of the Nicaraguan patriot Augusto Cesar Sandino on February 21, 1934, by agents of the dictator Anastasio Somoza. Americans ought to reflect upon that occurrence and the events that preceded it because they contain important lessons for us all. One can never understand what is going on in Nicaragua today or why the U.S. government is threatening this small nation now unless one understands some of its history.

It is not history of which Americans can be proud, but it is history nonetheless. During the 19th century, long before it became a world power, the United States established important commercial interests in Central America. In 1855 an American adventurer, William Walker, aided by American business interests, invaded Nicaragua with a private army and for a brief period set himself up as its dictator. Throughout the late 19th century, Nicaragua repeatedly experienced periods of internal turmoil. At the same time, the power of U.S. business interests grew to the point where they eventually controlled the Nicaraguan economy. In 1912, during one of Nicaragua’s many civil wars, the United States sent Marines into Nicaragua on the double pretext that it had been requested to do so by Nicaragua’s president and that the U.S. forces were there to protect American lives and property (much as the United States did in Grenada in October 1983). The 1912 invasion turned into a 13-year occupation, during which the United States installed a puppet government in Nicaragua that virtually sold the country to American business interests. U.S.

military forces were finally withdrawn in 1925 only to return in 1926, once again to install a government totally dependent upon this country. It is at this point that Sandino stepped upon the stage of history. He was no military man or politician. He was a simple man with peasant roots that ran deeply into the soil of Nicaragua. He was a patriot who loved his country. He had been a farmer and cowhand and had also worked as a miner, watchman and oil well rigger. At the time, Sandino was 32 years old and virtually unknown in Nicaragua. He joined the growing resistance to the U.S. occupation, and, when that resistance was ready to sell out to the United States, Sandino and a small group of nationalists established an independent guerrilla army that continued to resist the U.S. occupation. From 1928 until 1933 Sandino’s “army” fought both U.S. forces and their Nicaraguan puppets. The American forces were withdrawn in 1933. They left behind what was to become the notorious National Guard, set up and trained by U.S.

Marines and commanded by Anastasio Somoza, hand picked by the American ambassador to Nicaragua. Sandino made the tragic mistake of believing that the end of U.S. occupation also brought an end to the suffering of Nicaragua. He and his followers laid down their arms and joined in a cooperative farming project. On the night of February 21, 1934, he was murdered by Somoza’s troops as he left a conference at the National Palace in Managua to which he had been invited. His murder was planned and executed by Somoza with the full knowledge and support of the U.S. ambassador and his government. By 1936 Anastasio Somoza was entrenched as dictator of Nicaragua. He and his two sons continued to rule until their infamous regime was overthrown in July 1979. The movement that destroyed the Somoza dictatorship and that now governs Nicaragua—the Sandinista National Liberation Front—took its name and inspiration from Sandino. And it is this government that the United States now seeks to destroy for the same reasons that it could not tolerate Sandino—namely, his opposition to U.S. dominance and exploitation.

The American media during the 1920s and 1930s denounced Sandino as a “bandit,” much like the media today denounce as a “terrorist” anyone who opposes U.S. imperialism. The U.S. government at that time spread the lie that the trouble in Nicaragua was fomented by “radical” Mexico much the way the present administration blames Cuba for U.S. difficulties in Nicaragua. Don’t be fooled by the rantings of the Reagan administration that seeks to destroy Nicaraguan independence by its support for direct military action or, for that matter, by the glib talk of Democratic liberals who seek to strangle that independence by naval and economic blockades. Examine closely the reasons why the United States behaves as it does in the Third World and how that behavior is linked directly to the very nature of our economic system. Yes, American working people must oppose U.S. intervention in Nicaragua, but we must also learn the lessons of history or we’re going to be forced to relive old mistakes.

Don’t allow this “antiwar movement” to disappear, as did the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 1960s and 1970s, without ever getting to the heart of the problem. Take the time to look carefully at the issues and at the socialist alternative to a world of continuing mindless slaughter, oppression and exploitation. (1985) Nicaragua: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities An End to the Monroe Doctrine? Dictators Struggle for Power After ordering Sandino's assassination, Gen. Anastasio Somoza García was dictator from 1936 until his own assassination in 1956. He was succeeded by his son Luis, who alternated with trusted family friends in the presidency until his death in 1967. He was succeeded by his brother, Maj. Gen. Anastasio Somoza Debayle. The Somozas ruled Nicaragua with an iron fist, reducing its dependence on banana exports, exiling political foes, and amassing a family fortune. Sandinista guerrillas, leftists who took their name from Sandino, launched an offensive in 1979.

After seven weeks of fighting, Somoza fled the country on July 17, 1979. The Sandinistas assumed power two days later. On Jan. 23, 1981, the Reagan administration suspended U.S. aid, charging that Nicaragua, with the aid of Cuba and the Soviet Union, was supplying arms to rebels in El Salvador. The Sandinistas denied the charges. Later that year, Nicaraguan guerrillas known as “Contras” began a war to overthrow the Sandinistas. Elections were finally held on Nov. 4, 1984, with Daniel Ortega, the Sandinista junta coordinator, winning the presidency. The war intensified in 1986–1987. Negotiations sponsored by the Contadora (neutral Latin American) nations foundered, but Costa Rican president Oscar Arias promoted a treaty signed by Central American leaders in Aug. 1987. Edward N. Bomsey Autographs, Inc.

$110.00 Description: (1896-1956) Officially President of Nicaragua 1937-1947 and 1950-1956, but ruled effectively as dictator from 1936 until his assassination. He started a dynasty that maintained absolute control over Nicaragua for 44 years. Son of a wealthy coffee planter, he was educated in the US, and assisted the ousting of President Adolfo D�az after his return to Nicaragua, becoming Foreign Secretary and taking the title of "General." With the help of the US Marine Corps - occupying Nicaragua at the time - he became head of the National Guard. This gave him the power base to oust President Juan Bautista Sacasa - his wife's uncle - becoming president himself in 1937. In 1947, he was voted out of office, but remained in power as commander in chief. A month after his opponent was inaugurated, Somoza announced that the President was �incapacitated� and served in his stead.

Returning to power in his own name in 1951, he maintained an iron grip on his own Liberal Party while making a deal with the Conservatives; thus, he faced no opposition and left him free to amass a huge personal fortune. On 21 September 1956, he was shot by poet Rigoberto L�pez P�rez. Mortally wounded, he was flown to the Panama Canal Zone where he died a week later. His eldest son Luis Somoza Debayle took over, succeeded by his younger brother Anastasio Somoza Debayle, who was forced to flee in 1979 and assassinated in exile in Paraguay in 1980. ISP, 5 � x 3 � glossy postcard bust right profile portrait inscribed and signed with sentiment in Spanish; undated. Condition: Very good, slight clip indentation at lower left

Question: In 1936, Anastasio Somoza became the dictator of which country?
Answer: Nicaragua