Nicaraguan Revolution Essay Example

a change in government. In response, Somoza targeted wealthy individuals who openly criticized his regime and ordered the assassination of Pedro Joaquin Chamorre – a newspaper editor from influential families within Nicaragua – in 1978.

The murder of Chamorro triggered widespread animosity towards Somoza and his government, as evidenced by over 120,000 people attending Chamorro's funeral. While Chamorro's conservative party sought to remove Somoza from power through political means, the FSLN gained immense support for overthrowing his regime through revolution.

Founded in 1961 by university students Carlos Fonseca, Tomas Borge, and Silvio Mayorga, the FNL drew inspiration from Marxist and Leninist ideologies for their revolutionary efforts. The organization took its name from Augusto Cesar SandinoThe FSNL leaders were nationalist figures who opposed Somoza's rule and U.S. intervention in Nicaragua's internal affairs, but despite Sandino's populist beliefs, the Sandinistas viewed him as a pseudo-Marxist and their doctrine was influenced by Marxism. Nonetheless, they adapted these ideas to suit Nicaragua's history. The goal of the FSLNs was to overthrow Somoza's exploitative capitalist system and unite peasant farmers and workers. After successfully ousting Somoza, the FSNL led Nicaragua towards socialism, although different interpretations of this ideology existed. To strengthen the revolution's foundation, the FSNL established various mass organizations for youth, women, and students. However, with left-wing guerrilla movements gaining momentum in El Salvador and Guatemala, it became crucial for the US to swiftly suppress this revolution. When Reagan became president in 1981, he significantly increased funding and provided arms training through the CIA while supporting right-wing Cuban exiles fighting against Nicaragua alongside contras.Reagan criticized the FSNL as a totalitarian regime while expressing a desire to educate them.After the 1979 Revolution

in Nicaragua, the Sandinistas were cautious not to anger the US government. They partnered with other opposition groups against Somoza while hiding their true intentions behind the revolution. After successfully overthrowing Somoza with widespread support, the Sandinistas aimed to consolidate power and prevent a counter-revolution by the bourgeoisie. They organized peasant farmers into large revolutionary organizations for protection, which later served as defenders during the contra war when weapons were distributed by the government to militias.

Post-revolutionary Nicaragua experienced economic developments influenced by the Sandinistas' socialist ideology. The financial sector and major exports were nationalized, and they seized some farms. State farms and farming cooperatives were also encouraged to form. As the contra war intensified, individual peasants and farmers received land from Sandinistas.

To address concerns about capital flight, heavy loans from US banks became necessary for the government to finance expenses and alleviate economic burdens inherited from Somozan rule.During Somoza's regime, deformities such as establishing a new central government in Managua occurred where Somoza consolidated his power and controlled a semi-feudal rural economy with limited productivity.Banks, ports, communication networks essential services,and vast amounts of land were possessed by Somoza and his supporters.After the revolution, the country underwent economic restructuring as it transitioned towards a mixed economy. This process included distributing 235,000 acres of land to peasants in four phases from 1979 to 1986, with the aim of gaining government support and ensuring sufficient food supply to urban areas.

In terms of political developments, Somoza, who was overthrown, fled to Paraguay where he was later assassinated by presumed members of the Argentina Revolutionary Army in September 1980. The Sandinistas formed a council called junta for national reconstruction and

began establishing a new government. However, an opposition group known as the Contras emerged and engaged in economic sabotage against the Sandinista government due to their opposition to the socialist movement.

On November 4th, 1984 elections were held with a voter turnout of 75%. Daniel Ortega from FSNL won over two thirds of total votes and became president upon declaration. The objective of this revolution was primarily anti-imperialist, popular, and revolutionary, leading to military growth.

Initial reports in 1981 indicated movements against the Sandinistas near the Honduras border particularly by the Contras.The CIA covertly supported the movements that led to the Nicaraguan revolution, which brought about social advancements and improvements. In order to combat illiteracy, Nicaragua implemented a literacy campaign called Cruzada Nacional de Alfabetizacion, where secondary and university students, along with educators, served as volunteer teachers. The results were impressive, as within six months, literacy rates decreased from 50.3% to 12.9%. Recognizing this success, UNESCO awarded Nicaragua the Nadezhda K. Krupskaya literacy prize. Subsequently funded by the revolution and supported by the ministry of culture, additional literacy campaigns took place in 1982 and 1986. The ministry also established an editorial brand that promoted affordable book printing and distribution – something previously unheard of in Nicaragua.The Sandinistas' comprehensive programs covering areas such as literacy, land reforms, healthcare, education, unions,and childcare gained international acknowledgement for their effectiveness. After a massive popular insurrection against Somoza's oppressive family rule of 43 years on July 19th,1979,Somoza was overthrown.Due to protests surrounding the assassinations of Chammorro and Sandino,the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSNL) was established,resulting in FSNL under Daniel Ortega's leadership taking control of the governmentAlthough the FSL made progress in society,

economy, and politics, it encountered opposition from individuals who disagreed with their socialist ideology. Ortega became president in 1984 but was ultimately defeated in the 1990 elections by Violetta Barrios de Chamorro, who was the widow of the assassinated Chamorro.