WI US annexed Dominican Republic in 1870
- Thread starter vuun
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Deleted member 67076
No. Just, no.
Very, very, very few people in the country wanted to relinquish DR's sovereignty. This annexation was entirely the work of then President Buenaventura Baez, who was known for his multiple attempts to get the country annexed to somebody, as he believed that would be the best way to entrench his power. (He tried that with France, England, Spain and following the defeat of Spanish forces, the USA).
The 'vote' for US annexation, was a highly rigged affair. I mean, "lets sell the country on the market, right after we just fought a war for it!". That doesn't suspect at all?
This whole situation seems similar to the Philippines. And if the US was willing to fight an organized war and then crush the various guerrilla movements that popped up over there, then I don't see how it would be completely implausible for the US to do the same for a country that is only a short jog away, much smaller and much more united geographically and culturally (thus easier to administer), and just all around having a culture, history, and society that would be much easier for Americans to grasp (lessening the chance for misunderstandings).
Who knows, the annexation and what happens afterward could make or break Ulysses Grant's presidency.
Who knows, the annexation and what happens afterward could make or break Ulysses Grant's presidency.
Was he not worried about entrenching his power because of the dire state in which the country found itself?
Deleted member 67076
I'm sorry, I don't follow.
Are you asking whether he was insecure of his grip on power due to the country's state at the time?
I'm sorry, I don't follow.
Are you asking whether he was insecure of his grip on power due to the country's state at the time?
I am indeed.
I'm sorry, I don't follow.
Are you asking whether he was insecure of his grip on power due to the country's state at the time?
I think he's saying that the President was afraid he would be unable to retain his office, due to the poor state of the country, and so sought a foreign supporter, and one who would be inclined to stick around, via annexation. One can cast off a puppet with relative ease, but not a place that has been taken under official administration. You can picture the United States washing their hands of the Dominican Republic, but not so much the Territory of Santo Domingo, yes?
Deleted member 67076
No, he was consistently trying to sell the country off to someone all throughout his political career. I mean, as early as 1846, a mere 2 years after independence, he went to France to try to get a protectorate established over the Dominican Republic.
Ah. Well, that would make sense. But Baez's plans seem to be much more simpler, judging from his treaty with the Spanish. Sell the country for money, and then pocket that money to live an easy life. He didn't care about the country.
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Right, but why? If the country was prosperous why submit to another power?
Deleted member 67076
I wouldn't call it prosperous, but to answer your question, Baez didn't care about the country. He treated it like his own fiefdom and was insanely corrupt. He saw selling the country off as an easy way to make money and become even more rich.
Where did he imagine he would go, post-annexation to the United States?
Deleted member 67076
Probably to Spain, or to the US.
When the county was recolonized by Spain, he bought land there and led a luxurious life.
Looking at the terms of the draft treaty, I don't see where the money goes to him. The US promised to pay off some of the country's debt and lease a naval base, but no big pile of money for him.
And you consider the Dominican Republic of the 1870s to be in better shape?
Also, I seriously think you're ignoring the viability of guerrilla warfare in the 1870s against a well armed opponent that can flood the country with soldiers. Spain's armed forces were a joke in the 1860s and the US Army had a lot of experience occupying hostile areas (aka the Confederacy). I also don't think the US would be ok with Haiti supporting rebels like Haiti did during the rebellion against Spain.
In addition, the US wouldn't be looking to reimpose slavery unlike the Spanish.
Lastly, the US could just flood the country with former slaves. Even if 100,000 former slaves emigrated to the Dominican Republic, that would totally change the makeup of the country. (Out of a population of 4.8 million former slaves, imagining that 100,000 people could emigrate is not that absurd, especially if there were incentives involved.)
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Deleted member 67076
Relative to the spiraling door of failed governments that had come and gone? Yes. Debt was lower than in 1916 too and the country was more stable. (Not that this says much)
Wikipedia describes it as:
"From the Spanish withdrawal to 1879, there were twenty-one changes of government and at least fifty military uprisings."
Sounds very stable.
Deleted member 67076
No shit its unstable. I never claimed it was otherwise. I merely prefer it as by 1916, as the downward spiral is just beginning.
Not unless he is appointed Territorial Governor by Congress. They could pick anyone they wanted.