Province of Santo Domingo (1861-1865)

Origins

Facing debt, political rivalry and the threat of invasion from Haiti, President Pedro Santana arranged for the First Dominican Republic to be annexed by Spain, proclaimed on 18 March 1861. Spain, under Queen Isabella II and the government of Leopoldo O'Donnell, accepted, partly to strengthen its position in the Caribbean while the United States was engulfed in civil war.

Rule and society

Santana became captain general but resigned in 1862 as Spanish officials took over. The new regime offended Dominicans: it imposed Spanish officials and soldiers, new taxes and church rules, and treated mixed-race and black Dominicans with contempt, raising fears that slavery would return. Early revolts were suppressed with executions, including that of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez in 1861.

Decline and legacy

In August 1863 rebels raised the flag at Capotillo, starting the War of Restoration, with Santiago as their capital and Gregorio Luperón among the leaders. Disease and guerrilla warfare broke the Spanish army. Spain repealed the annexation in March 1865 and left in July, creating the Second Dominican Republic.