1. Home
  2. ºìÌÒÊÓƵ
  3. By Country
  4. Dominican Republic
  5. History

Dominican Republic: History

  • Spaniards set up the first colony in the Western hemisphere in Santo Domingo.

  • The Treaty of Ryswick gives the western part of Hispaniola to and the eastern part (present-day Dominican Republic) to .

  • Santo Domingo declares its independence and becomes the Dominican Republic.

  • President Pedro Santana returns the Dominican Republic to rule.

  • The second Dominican Republic is proclaimed, following a revolt and subsequent withdrawal from the island. 

  • The Dominican Republic and the sign a 50-year treaty, in which the U.S. takes over the republic's customs department in return for purchasing its debts.

  • forces withdraw after eight years of U.S. military rule. 

  • IMF-prescribed austerity measures, including price hikes for basic consumer goods and petrol, lead to widespread riots.

  • The Dominican Republic officially becomes a member of CAFTA-DR, a trade agreement between the and five other Central American countries.

  • Dominican parliament approves bill to grant citizenship to Dominican-born children of immigrants.

  • Dominican Republic ends diplomatic relations with Taiwan and establishes ties with China instead.

Sources: