Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies
take the title of president of the republic. Duarte agreed to do
so, but only if free elections could be arranged. Santana, who
felt that only the protection of a great power could assure
Dominican safety against the Haitian threat, did not share
Duarte's enthusiasm for the electoral process. His forces took
Santo Domingo on July 12, 1844, and proclaimed Santana
ruler of the Dominican Republic. Mella, who attempted to
mediate a compromise government including both Duarte and
Santana, found himself imprisoned by the new dictator. Duarte
and Sanchez followed Mella into prison and subsequently into
exile.
The country's first constitution in 1844 was a remarkably liberal
document. It was influenced directly by the Haitian constitution
of 1843 and indirectly by the United States constitution
of 1789, by the liberal 1812 Cadiz constitution of Spain, and by
the French constitutions of 1799 and 1804. Because of this
inspiration, it called for presidentialism, a separation of powers,
and extensive "checks and balances." However, Santana
proceeded to emasculate the document by demanding the
inclusion of Article 210, which granted him extraordinary powers
"during the current war" against Haiti.
Santana's dictatorial powers continued throughout his first
term (1844-48), even though the Haitian forces had been
repelled by December 1845. He consolidated his power by executing
anti-Santana conspirators, by rewarding his close associates
with lucrative positions in government, and by printing
paper money to cover the expenses of a large standing army, a
policy that severely devalued the new nation's currency.
Throughout his term, Santana also continued to explore the
possibility of an association with a foreign power. The governments
of the United States, France, and Spain all declined the
offer.
Santana responded to a general discontent prompted
mainly by the deteriorating currency and economy by resigning
the presidency in February 1848 and retiring to his finca
(ranch) in El Seibo. He was replaced in August 1848 by minister
of war Manuel Jimenez, whose tenure ended in May 1849.
The violent sequence of events that culminated in Jimenez's
departure began with a new invasion from Haiti, this time led
by self-styled emperor Faustin Soulouque (see Increasing Instability,
1843-1915, ch. 6). Santana returned to prominence at
the head of the army that checked the Haitian advance at Las
Carreras in April 1849. As the Haitians retired, Santana pressed
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