1. Who was Rafael Trujillo Molina and how did he rise to power in the Dominican Republic?
Rafael Trujillo Molina was the Dictator of the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1938 and from 1942 to 1952. He was general of the army and foreign minister from 1953 to 1961. Rafael rose to power by completely paid off all the foreign debt which was very substantial and he fortified the armies and fighting forces of the Dominican Republic.
2. What has been the U.S. involvement in the Dominican Republic in the 20th century?
In 1905 Theodore Roosevelt obtained Dominican agreement for U.S. administration of Dominican customs, which was the main source of income for the Dominican government. The United States agreed to use part of the customs proceeds to reduce the foreign debt of the Dominican Republic, and assumed responsibility for said debt.
3. How did Trujillo maintain his political control in the Dominican Republic?
All of Trujillo's opposition disappeared mysteriously before they could do any work
against him.
4. What were some of the organized opposition groups who worked against Trujillo? Why were some of the attempts to overthrow Trujillo unsuccessful? How was he eventually defeated?
Some of the groups that tried to work against Trujillo was the U.S., the Dominican youth, the Dominicans, and communists. The reason why the attempts to overthrow Trujillo was unsuccessful is because he had secret police to protect him from harm's way. After Trujillo killed the Mirabel sisters things went downhill from there. Trujillo was defeated by assassination on May 30, 1961.
5. Why have the three Mirabel sisters become a legend in the Dominican Republic? How
are they honored by the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women on
November 25?
The people of the Dominican Republic believe that the Mirabel sisters sacrificed their lives for the benefit of their country. They also think that they led to the assassination of Trujillo. The United Nations General Assembly chose November 25, which was the anniversary of the murder of the Mirabel sisters, as the annual date for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in commemoration of the sisters.
6. Describe the political, social, and economic environment in the Dominican
Republic since the fall of Trujillo.
After the fall of Trujillo there was a substantial economic growth in the Dominican Republic. The government was changed by having presidents serve four year terms. Human rights were more in effect after Trujillo was assassinated. I believe that the people of the Dominican Republic were relieved when Trujillo was no longer in the picture.
Websites:
http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/people_history-Trujillo.html
http://www.biography.com/people/rafael-trujillo-39891
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Trujillo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabal_sisters
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic
