Dominican War of Independence

Quick Facts: Who was Dominican War of Independence?

Subject:

Dominican War of Independence

Known for:

The struggle for Dominican sovereignty against Haitian rule (1844-1856).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dominican War of Independence (Spanish: Guerra de Independencia Dominicana) was a war of independence that began when the Dominican Republic declared independence from the Republic of Haiti on February 27, 1844 and ended on January 24, 1856. Before the war, the island of Hispaniola had been united for 22 years when the newly independent nation, previously known as the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo, was unified with the Republic of Haiti in 1822. The criollo class within the country overthrew the Spanish crown in 1821 before unifying with Haiti a year later. In March 1844, Haitian soldiers invaded the Dominican Republic at the behest of President Charles Rivière-Hérard, but withdrew within a month after logistical difficulties and effective Dominican resistance. A second Haitian campaign in 1845 ended with the retreat of the Haitian army across the Dajabón River.

Career & Major Achievements

Three years later, Haiti's President Faustin Soulouque launched his first invasion of the Dominican Republic, but his army was beaten back by forces under General Pedro Santana. In late 1849, Dominican forces bombarded, sacked and burned several villages on the southern and western coasts of Haiti. In November 1855, Soulouque marched into the Dominican Republic at the head of another army, but the Haitians were decisively defeated and forced back across the border by January 1856. The frontier was not finalized until 1936, when the Dominican Republic formally relinquished its claims to the central border towns of Hinche, Las Caobas, San Miguel de la Atalaya and San Rafael de la Angostura. In the late 18th century, the island of Hispaniola had been divided into two European colonies: Saint-Domingue in the west, governed by France; and Santo Domingo in the east, governed by Spain, occupying two-thirds of Hispaniola.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By the 1790s, large-scale slave rebellions erupted in the western portion of the island, which led to the eventual removal of the French and the independence of Haiti in 1804. Following the independence of Haiti, massive portions of the remaining French population were murdered. The eastern portion of the island was preparing itself for an eventual separation from Spain. At the beginning of the 1800s, the colony of Santo Domingo, which had once been the headquarters of Spanish power in the New World centuries prior, was suffering an economic decline. Spain during this time was embroiled in the Peninsular War with Napoleon in Europe, and the various Spanish American wars of independence.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1804: 1804 Milestone — By the 1790s, large-scale slave rebellions erupted in the western portion of the island, which led to the eventual removal of the French and the independence of Haiti in 1804.
2. 1821: 1821 Milestone — The criollo class within the country overthrew the Spanish crown in 1821 before unifying with Haiti a year later.
3. 1822: 1822 Milestone — Before the war, the island of Hispaniola had been united for 22 years when the newly independent nation, previously known as the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo, was unified with the Republic of Haiti in 1822.
4. 1844: 1844 Milestone — The Dominican War of Independence (Spanish: Guerra de Independencia Dominicana) was a war of independence that began when the Dominican Republic declared independence from the Republic of Haiti on February 27, 1844 and ended on January 24, 1856.
5. 1845: 1845 Milestone — A second Haitian campaign in 1845 ended with the retreat of the Haitian army across the Dajabón River.
6. 1849: 1849 Milestone — In late 1849, Dominican forces bombarded, sacked and burned several villages on the southern and western coasts of Haiti.
7. 1855: 1855 Milestone — In November 1855, Soulouque marched into the Dominican Republic at the head of another army, but the Haitians were decisively defeated and forced back across the border by January 1856.
8. 1936: 1936 Milestone — The frontier was not finalized until 1936, when the Dominican Republic formally relinquished its claims to the central border towns of Hinche, Las Caobas, San Miguel de la Atalaya and San Rafael de la Angostura.

Notable Quotes by Dominican War of Independence

“"I have not come into this city as a conqueror but by the will of its inhabitants."” (1822)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dominican War of Independence

True or False: “The Dominican War of Independence was solely fought against Spanish colonial forces.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While early independence movements involved Spain, the war detailed here (1844-1856) was primarily a struggle for sovereignty against the Republic of Haiti.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dominican War of Independence