The struggle for independence Juan Pablo Duarte

la trinitaria organizer of formation , independence of dominican republic.

in december 1821, when duarte 8 years old, members of creole elite of santo domingo s capital proclaimed independence spanish rule, calling haití español. historians today call elite’s brief courtship sovereignty ephemeral independence. prominent leader of coup against spanish colonial government 1 of former supporters, josé núñez de cáceres. these individuals tired of being ignored crown, , concerned new liberal turn in madrid.

their deed not isolated event. 1820s time of profound political changes throughout entire spanish atlantic world, affected directly lives of petite bourgeoisie duartes. began conflictive period between spanish royalists , liberals in iberian peninsula, known today trienio liberal. american patriots in arms, simón bolívar in south america, reaped fruits of spain s destabilization, , began pushing colonial troops. conservative elites in new spain (like agustín de iturbide in mexico), had no intention of being ruled spanish anticlericals, moved break ties crown in spain.

many others in santo domingo wanted independence spain reasons closer home. inspired revolution , independence on island, dominicans mounted number of different movements , conspiracies in period 1809-1821 against slavery , colonialism. several towns asked haiti dominican independence weeks before experiment of haití español began.

the cáceres provisional government requested support simón bolivar’s new government, petition ignored given internal conflicts of gran colombia. meanwhile, plan unification haiti grew stronger. haitian politicians wanted keep island out of hands of european imperial powers , way safeguard haitian revolution. haiti’s president jean-pierre boyer sent army took on eastern portion of hispaniola. haiti abolished slavery there once , all, , occupied , absorbed santo domingo republic of haiti. struggles between boyer , old colonial helped produce migration of planters , elite. led closing of university. following bourgeoisie custom of sending promising sons abroad education, duartes sent juan pablo united states , europe in 1828.

statue of duarte in juan pablo duarte square, new york city

on july 16, 1838, duarte , others established secret patriotic society called la trinitaria, helped undermine haitian occupation. of first members included juan isidro pérez, pedro alejandro pina, jacinto de la concha, félix maría ruiz, josé maría serra, benito gonzález, felipe alfau, , juan nepomuceno ravelo. later, duarte , others founded society called la filantrópica, had more public presence, seeking spread veiled ideas of liberation through theatrical stages. of this, along of many wanted rid of haitians ruled on dominicans led proclamation of independence on february 27, 1844 (dominican war of independence). however, duarte had been exiled caracas, venezuela previous year insurgent conduct. continued correspond members of family , members of independence movement. independence not denied , after many struggles, dominican republic born. republican form of government established free people hold ultimate power and, through voting process, give rise democracy every citizen would, in theory, equal , free.

duarte supported many candidate presidency of new-born republic. mella wanted duarte declare himself president. duarte never giving on principles of democracy , fairness lived, accept if voted in majority of dominican people. however, forces of favoring spanish sovereignty protection continued haitian threats , invasions, led general pedro santana, large landowner eastern lowlands, took on , exiled duarte. in 1845, santana exiled entire duarte family. after more unsuccessful haitian invasions, internal disorder, , , others’ misrule, santana turned country colony of spain in 1861, awarded hereditary title of marquess of las carreras spanish queen isabella ii, , died in 1864.

duarte s family in venezuela did not badly, lived , worked in affluent area. duarte s cousin manuel diez became vice president of country , helped shelter kinsman. duarte s family known produce candles, major retail , wholesale product since lightbulbs lighting had not been invented yet. while not luxuriously rich income available duarte s. juan pablo being man of action of high level of curiosity went off live in venezuela, there had contacts , made off meet them. venezuela of period wracked series of civil wars , internal dissentions. duarte though , family time residents of country, still felt ambivalent openly participating in country s political life, despite fact aforementioned cousin manuel antonio díez vice presidency, went on become president of venezuela in ad tempore capacity.

duarte travels in venezuela involved studying indigenous people s , learning black , mulatto communities observing as of venezuela of time. duarte extremely educated man, fluent in many languages, former soldier , teacher. these abilities helped him survive , thrive in places travelled. marked him outsider, since came caribbean country sounded different of spanish speakers around him. santo domingo , republic had helped father highly close heart , mind. man divided, excited , moved current surroundings, people s , events around him, thinking beloved land , people whom sacrificed for. man in contemplative mood, wounded drastic expulsion such suffered, have little time longterm wife, children or true stability.

duarte, living in venezuela, made dominican consul , provided pension honor him sacrifice. after time not honored , lost commission , pension. he, juan pablo duarte, poet, philosopher, writer, actor, soldier, general, dreamer , hero died nobly in caracas @ age of 63. remains transferred dominican soil in 1884—ironically, president , dictator ulises heureaux, , given proper burial full honors. entombed in beautiful mausoleum, altar de la patria, @ count’s gate (puerta del conde), alongside sanchez , mella, @ spot fired rifle shot propelled them legend.