Dominican Republic Intervention

Definition

The Dominican Republic Intervention refers to the U.S. military occupation of the Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1924, initiated to restore order and protect American economic interests in the region. This intervention is a significant example of U.S. involvement in Latin America, illustrating how economic and military interventions were often justified by the desire to stabilize nations perceived as unstable or threatened by internal conflicts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The intervention was sparked by political instability and a power struggle in the Dominican Republic, which threatened American investments and regional stability.
2. U.S. troops occupied key areas of the country, establishing control over customs and financial systems to stabilize the economy and collect debts owed to American businesses.
3. The intervention faced resistance from local nationalists who viewed it as an infringement on Dominican sovereignty, leading to tensions and violence.
4. The U.S. formally withdrew its troops in 1924, but left behind a legacy of military involvement that would influence future relations between the two countries.
5. This intervention is part of a broader pattern of U.S. interventions in Latin America during the early 20th century, reflecting the country's growing influence and interests in the region.

Review Questions

• How did the political situation in the Dominican Republic lead to U.S. intervention in 1916?
  • The political instability and power struggles within the Dominican Republic created an environment of chaos that threatened American investments and interests in the country. The situation was exacerbated by a civil war and constant changes in leadership, prompting U.S. officials to view intervention as necessary to restore order and protect their economic interests. The belief that a stable government aligned with U.S. interests would ensure peace and security in the region ultimately led to the decision for military action.
• Evaluate the impact of Dollar Diplomacy on U.S.-Dominican relations during and after the intervention.
  • Dollar Diplomacy had a significant impact on U.S.-Dominican relations by intertwining economic interests with military intervention. During the occupation, American officials aimed to stabilize the Dominican economy by taking control of customs revenue and managing public finances, which further embedded U.S. influence in domestic affairs. After the intervention ended, these economic ties continued to shape relations, as Dominicans were often left dealing with the repercussions of U.S. economic policies that prioritized American interests over local autonomy.
• Assess how the Dominican Republic Intervention reflects broader patterns of U.S. interventionism in Latin America during the early 20th century.
  • The Dominican Republic Intervention exemplifies a broader trend of U.S. interventionism characterized by military actions framed as necessary for maintaining stability and protecting American interests across Latin America. This pattern reveals a consistent justification for interventions based on fears of instability or foreign influence, often rooted in economic motivations like debt collection or market access. Additionally, it highlights how these interventions were met with resistance from local populations, creating long-lasting impacts on national sovereignty and regional dynamics that would shape future U.S.-Latin American relations.

Related terms

Dollar Diplomacy: A foreign policy strategy used by the U.S. in the early 20th century that aimed to secure American financial interests abroad while promoting stability in less developed nations.

Interventionism: The policy or practice of intervening in the affairs of another nation, often through military action or political influence, typically to protect national interests.

Monroe Doctrine: A U.S. policy established in the 1820s that opposed European colonialism in the Americas and asserted that any intervention by foreign powers would be seen as a threat to U.S. security.