Three Events in Dominican History

[bilijou]

We all know the state of the DR today. Still, when reading studies on Dominican history, I can’t help falling into the “what could’ve been”… if certain events hadn’t occurred or political characters hadn’t existed. Maybe everything would’ve taken a completely different path… who knows, by today it could’ve been a fully developed country.

This brings me to the question...
If you could change only three events in Dominican history (1844- ) that would bring about the best possible economic and social situation today, what would they be and why?
Please be as specific as possible.

[Mr. Lu]

Great topic!

1) Allowed the US to "purchase" the DR in 1870, though technically this was apposed on the US side not the Dominican side (it was rejected by one vote).

I personally believe that the DR being a protectorate, or US state, would have changed this country tremendously. You look at the examples of Puerto Rico, Alaska or even Hawaii who have benefited from being a state.

2) The election of Trujillo in 1930. Would have changed 30 years of history,directly, and 60 years of history, indirectly.
This one is kind of cut and dry. Who's to say another tyrant wouldn't have appeared? We don't know, but could another tyrant have been as bad as Trujillo?

3) Considering Trujillo was elected: Not allowed Balaguer to be elected and continue the "Partido Dominicano" oligarchy in the mid 60's and early 70's. That would have changed a lot.
Juan Bosch was great candidate. He did have a more socialist leaning, but wasn't a socialist. Though he was still feared for his ideals. Plus, a new way of thinking would have served this country well. Instead, Balaguer continued the status quo. Many of the DR's criminals, millionaires and skewed concept on life and politics were created during Balaguer's years.

[Lovelylocs]

1) The British founded Hispaniola.
2) They taught the slaves that they were not white or mulatto, but black and inferior.
3) They kept the number of slaves down so that the country remained predominately white.



j/k... LOL

[Baitoa75]

Three events. Hmm...here goes..

1. A succesful conclusion to the revolt of 1857 against Baez's government without it having to resort to Pedro Santana for help. This alone would have prevented the Republic's reannexation to Spain in the 1860s, preventing the destruction of plenty of property (not the least of which was the burning of the entire city of Santiago) and the excessive loss of life and talent which also resulted. Also, Trujillo might not have been born seeing as how his paternal grandfather came during the reannexation period saving the dominican people even more tears. The liberal ideals of the ringleaders of the revolt of 57 might have also permeated into dominican society as a result not to mention the possible weakening of caudillo politics which was definitely exacerbated by the myriad of local caudillos produced by the the War for Restoration.

2. The prevention of the assasination of President Caceres. Caceres has acheived some stability in the the dominican republic of the early 20th century by overpowering many local caudillos and instituting a myriad of public works (many of his public works programs were continued under the American occupation which recieved total credit for them even though they were on the drawing boredd since the Caceres presidency but unable to be instituted due to the instability that followed Caceres' death. The national highway system is one example). Caceres' rivals were under the false impression that by assasinating hime they'd be able to hold on to the reigns of power. Instead, Caceres' assasination set off a wave of instability which finally culminated with the American occupation. Had Mon continued to live it's possible that the Republic would have acheived all the benefits bestowed upon it by the American occupation without having to actually having to go through said occupation.

3. The succesful culmination of the revolt of 1965 without American intervention. It's been proven time and time again that the "Constitutionalists" who revolted were not communists (even though there were communists who later joined them out of sympathy for their cause once the revolt began to include civilians) but simply individuals who wished to return to their people the government they had chosen via an authentic democratic process. Had they been successful it's safe to say that there would be more respect for dominican institutions and the law in general.

[Baitoa75]

Three events. Hmm...here goes..

1. A succesful conclusion to the revolt of 1857 against Baez's government without it having to resort to Pedro Santana for help. This alone would have prevented the Republic's reannexation to Spain in the 1860s, preventing the destruction of plenty of property (not the least of which was the burning of the entire city of Santiago) and the excessive loss of life and talent which also resulted. Also, Trujillo might not have been born seeing as how his paternal grandfather came during the reannexation period saving the dominican people even more tears. The liberal ideals of the ringleaders of the revolt of 57 might have also permeated into dominican society as a result not to mention the possible weakening of caudillo politics which was definitely exacerbated by the myriad of local caudillos produced by the the War for Restoration.

2. The prevention of the assasination of President Caceres. Caceres has acheived some stability in the the dominican republic of the early 20th century by overpowering many local caudillos and instituting a myriad of public works (many of his public works programs were continued under the American occupation which recieved total credit for them even though they were on the drawing boredd since the Caceres presidency but unable to be instituted due to the instability that followed Caceres' death. The national highway system is one example). Caceres' rivals were under the false impression that by assasinating hime they'd be able to hold on to the reigns of power. Instead, Caceres' assasination set off a wave of instability which finally culminated with the American occupation. Had Mon continued to live it's possible that the Republic would have acheived all the benefits bestowed upon it by the American occupation without having to actually having to go through said occupation.

3. The succesful culmination of the revolt of 1965 without American intervention. It's been proven time and time again that the "Constitutionalists" who revolted were not communists (even though there were communists who later joined them out of sympathy for their cause once the revolt began to include civilians) but simply individuals who wished to return to their people the government they had chosen via an authentic democratic process. Had they been successful it's safe to say that there would be more respect for dominican institutions and the law in general.

[Hillbilly]

Passage of Bonó 's suggestions for a federal republic at the Moca Convention in 1855
Avoiding Trujillo (difficult due to historical circumstances)
Not cutting short Balaguer's last term....

Just guesses...What if....

HB

[Ogre of the Caribbean]

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

Passage of Bonó 's suggestions for a federal republic at the Moca Convention in 1855
Avoiding Trujillo (difficult due to historical circumstances)
Not cutting short Balaguer's last term....

Just guesses...What if....

HB

What difference do you think a federal republic would have made?

What would the country look like today if there had been no Trujillo?

Do you really think cutting Balaguer's term short was that pivotal?

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Lovelylocs

1) The British founded Hispaniola.
2) They taught the slaves that they were not white or mulatto, but black and inferior.
3) They kept the number of slaves down so that the country remained predominately white.


j/k... LOL

All this would do is create a legacy of hate and racism, whereby the shoe changes from foot to foot periodically - I somehow don't find this even remotely funny.

[Julio Tulio]

1.US annexation of the D.R.-US Statehood by the 40's.

We're closer to the US and we're pretty large and well populated with considerable natural resources and pro-yankee since independence.

I think we would have been a full-fledged state despite the black population and language differences.

But we wouldnt have much of a culture of today,just language,religion and some arts & folkore.We would have been subject to the military draft and US wars as well as Jim Crow laws.

...or maybe gone left and became a haven for african americans living in the south.

I think every dominican at one point has thought (or more accuraltey wished)about what the nation would be like if it were under US rule.


2.Balaguer losing the elections after '65.

The rightwing,racist,xenophobic,classist mentality of the upperclass white dominican society/military personel would not continue to exist as a bigoted,kleptocratic click with a strangehold on politics and business.

A nation more aware of its racial heritage and leaning more towards the anglo-carribean neighbors than to the US and Spain and Latin nations...
A
t the very least more aware and proud of being a unique afro-latino nation like no other in this world.

A more educated,democratic,law-abiding and economically prosperous nation.

Think Costa Rica.

3.The PRD being dismantled after Guzman's suicide.

The bane of the DR's mainstream political life is chopped up into dozens of smaller,cleaner political movements after Guzman kills himself and goverment probes into PRD corruption.

The party splits in fear -each accusing the other-with every boss having their own party.

Strong,progressive leaders ..Jacobo,Pena Gomez, are not held down by the populist rhetoric and barrio style trouble makers of the "Tigueraje,Inc" aka the PRD and earn the Presidency multiple times.

The country never inherits the rock throwing,tire burning political mentality and the lowerclasses focus on acheiving through education and small business rather than constant "huelgas" after an goverment initiative.

[Julio Tulio]

Originally Posted by Ogre of the Caribbean

What difference do you think a federal republic would have made?

What would the country look like today if there had been no Trujillo?

Do you really think cutting Balaguer's term short was that pivotal?

I think a federal republic would have lead to succession from the north and US intervention and most likley annexation of the entire country.

No trujillo,=Democratic,socially minded,economically prosperous,more racially aware Dominican Republic.Costa Rica with a Military and 15X more blacks basically.

Balaguer being allowed to go through 98 and 2002 would have meant more economic reform,more public works projects,privitization,a dollarized economy,free trade with the US five or ten years before it became a reality,permanent military bases in respond to the Venezuelan issue and Haiti's constant state of chaos.

Politically,PLD marginilized,PRD beaten and defeated most of its leadership return to the United States and Puerto Rico.Pena Gomez lives in panama in seclusion till his death from cancer.Jacinto eventually takes the reign upon the death of balaguer and the PRSC and the white is right,money talks,public works over goverment services mentality continues to dominate every day life for dominicans until Leonel gets enough support sometine in 2008 to nab the presidency on a Social Spending platform.