Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic: Historical Setting
Bordas reached out to the jimenistas, naming one of their leaders,
Desiderio Arias, as government delegate to the Cibao.
However, horacistas soon revolted, declaring a new provisional
government under Vasquez. Subsequent mediation by the
United States government led to municipal and congressional
elections in December 1913. However, these elections were blatantly
manipulated by Bordas, leading to renewed tensions with
not only horacistas but also jimenistas.
The United States government, this time under President
Woodrow Wilson, again intervened. The "Wilson Plan"—delivered
as an ultimatum—essentially stated: elect a president or
the United States will impose one. Bordas resigned, and the
Dominicans accordingly selected Ramon Baez Machado (the
son of Buenaventura Baez) as provisional president on August
27, 1914, to oversee elections. Comparatively fair presidential
elections held on October 25 returned Jimenes to the presidency.
However, a combination of continued internecine political
infighting and United States pressure made Jimenes's position
untenable soon after his inauguration on December 6, 1914.
The United States government wished him to regularize the
appointment of a United States comptroller, who was overseeing
the country's public expenditures, and to create a new
national guard, which would be under the control of the
United States military, thus eliminating the existing army controlled
by Arias. At the same time, Jimenes found himself with
less and less political support, as he confronted opposition first
from horacistas and then from his own secretary of war, Desiderio
Arias. Arias spearheaded an effort to have Jimenes removed
by impeachment so that he could assume the presidency.
Although the United States ambassador offered military support
to his government, Jimenes opted to step down on May 7,
1916. At this point, the United States decided to take more
direct action. United States forces had already occupied Haiti
(see United States Involvement in Haiti, 1915-34, ch. 6), and
this time Arias retreated from Santo Domingo on May 13,
under threat of naval bombardment; the first Marines landed
three days later. Although they established effective control of
the country within two months, the United States forces did
not proclaim a military government until November.
The country occupied by the United States Marines was one
marked not only by weak sovereignty, but also by unstable political
rule, fragmented and fearful economic elites, a weak
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