Dominican Civil War

Quick Facts: Who was Dominican Civil War?

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Dominican Civil War

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A period of intense political upheaval culminating in the 1965 Dominican Republic civil conflict.

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Origins & Early Life

The Dominican Civil War (Spanish: Guerra Civil Dominicana), also known as the April Revolution (Spanish: Revolución de Abril), took place between April 24 and September 3, 1965, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It started when civilian and military supporters of the overthrown democratically elected president Juan Bosch ousted the militarily-installed president Donald Reid Cabral from office. The second coup prompted General Elías Wessin y Wessin to organize elements of the military loyal to the dictator Reid ("loyalists") and launch an armed campaign against the "constitutionalist" rebels. Allegations of communist support for the rebels led to a United States invasion (codenamed Operation Power Pack), which later became an Organization of American States occupation of the country by the Inter-American Peace Force. Although ostensibly neutral, U.S. civilian and military leaders deployed troops in a way that aided the anti-Bosch forces.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1966, Bosch lost the presidential election to Joaquín Balaguer. Foreign troops left later that year. On November 19, 1911, General Luis Tejera led a group of conspirators in an ambush on the horsedrawn carriage of President Ramón Cáceres. During the shootout, Cáceres was killed and Tejera wounded in the leg. In the ensuing power vacuum, General Alfredo Victoria, the commander of the army, seized control and forced the Dominican Congress to elect his uncle, Eladio Victoria, as the new president.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The general was widely suspected of bribing the Congress, and his uncle, who took office on February 27, 1912, lacked legitimacy. The former president Horacio Vásquez soon returned from exile to lead his followers, the horacistas, in a popular uprising against the new government. The result was several years of great political instability and civil war. U.S. mediation by the William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson administrations achieved only short respites each time. A political deadlock in 1914 was broken after an ultimatum by Wilson telling Dominicans that unless they chose a president, they would see the United States impose one.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1911: 1911 Milestone — On November 19, 1911, General Luis Tejera led a group of conspirators in an ambush on the horsedrawn carriage of President Ramón Cáceres.
2. 1912: 1912 Milestone — The general was widely suspected of bribing the Congress, and his uncle, who took office on February 27, 1912, lacked legitimacy.
3. 1914: 1914 Milestone — A political deadlock in 1914 was broken after an ultimatum by Wilson telling Dominicans that unless they chose a president, they would see the United States impose one.
4. 1965: 1965 Milestone — The Dominican Civil War (Spanish: Guerra Civil Dominicana), also known as the April Revolution (Spanish: Revolución de Abril), took place between April 24 and September 3, 1965, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
5. 1966: 1966 Milestone — In 1966, Bosch lost the presidential election to Joaquín Balaguer.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dominican Civil War

True or False: “The U.S. occupation following World War I was immediately and universally accepted by all factions within the Dominican population.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Vigorous opposition to the occupation continued throughout its duration, with some factions leading guerrilla campaigns against U.S. forces.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dominican Civil War