Banana Wars: The American Invasion of Nicaragua

The American Invasion of Nicaragua was the third major action of the so-called Banana Wars. It brought in a massive change within the already struggling nation. With it's political and economic system being largely tied to the whims of the occupying Americans. A power structure would be established, that would see the nation through nearly 50 years of dictatorship.

Read the Sources cited:

The Banana WarsA Captivating Guide to the Interventions of the United States in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean (U.S. Military History)

The Second CenturyU.S.Latin American Relations Since 1889

The Banana WarsUnited States Intervention in the Caribbean, 18981934

The Banana WarsA History of United States Military Intervention in Latin America from the SpanishAmerican War to the Invasion of Panama

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In 1909 Nicaraguan President José Santos Zelaya of the Liberal Party faced opposition from the Conservative Party, led by governor Juan José Estrada who received support from the U.S. government. The United States had limited military presence in Nicaragua, having only one patrolling U.S. Navy ship off the coast, in order to protect the lives and interests of American citizens who lived there. The Conservative Party sought to overthrow Zelaya which led to Estrada's rebellion in December 1909. Two Americans, Leonard Groce and Lee Roy Cannon, were captured and indicted for allegedly joining the rebellion and laying down mines. Zelaya ordered the execution of the two Americans, which severed U.S. relations.

Forces under Juan Estrada and various other commanders, lead conservative revolts against Zelaya's government, they captured three small towns on the border with Costa Rica and were inciting open rebellion in the capital. U.S. warships that had been waiting off Mexico and Costa Rica moved into position.

Zelaya resigned on December 14, 1909 due to American pressure, and his hand-picked successor, Jose Madriz, was elected by unanimous vote of the national assembly on December 20, 1909. U.S. Secretary of State Philander C. Knox stated that the United States would not resume diplomatic relations.

The USS Albany under Admiral William W. Kimball, spent the next five months in Central America, maintaining U.S. neutrality in the ongoing rebellion, sometimes under criticism by the U.S. press and business interests that were displeased by Kimball's "friendly" attitude toward Madriz's administration. By mid-March 1909, the insurgency led by Estrada was seemingly collapsed and with the apparent and unexpected strength of Madriz, the U.S withdrew it's naval forces. However, Madriz was unable to restore order under continuing pressure from conservatives and the United States forces, and he resigned on August 20, 1910 and Estrada rose to power.