A Brief Summary of the Nicaraguan Revolution

1926 Words4 Pages

Throughout history, countless uprisings have occurred. Historians classify any forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system as a revolution. The success or failure of a revolution is directly related to the revolution’s causes and courses. The French Revolution was more successful than the Nicaraguan Revolution, because the Nicaraguan Revolution left the country in social and financial ruin, foreign powers had much greater interference, and it precipitated a period of political unrest with multiple leadership changes.

One cause of both Revolutions was that people from all social classes were discontented. Each social class in France had its own reasons for wanting a change in government. The aristocracy was upset by the king’s power while the Bourgeoisie was upset by the privileges of the aristocracy. The peasants and urban workers were upset by their burdensome existence. The rigid, unjust social structure meant that citizens were looking for change because “all social classes…had become uncomfortable and unhappy with the status quo.” (Nardo, 13) Many believed that a more just system was long overdue in France.

The rebellion against Nicaraguan leader Anastasio Somoza Debayle was supported by virtually all sectors of Nicaraguan society. The FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front) spearheaded the revolt through the support of the poor, the working class, students, businessmen, professionals, the Roman Catholic Church and various oppositional political parties. Somoza had alienated all of society including, “the upper class with his disastrous economic policies which threatened the economic well-being of the propertied and entrepreneurial class.” (Booth, 125) He also alienated t...

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... of the Nicaraguan Revolution. New York: Routledge, 1990. Print.

Johnson, Tim. "McClatchy DC." MANAGUA, Nicaragua: In Nicaragua, Fears of Dynastic Power as Ortegas Jointly Wield Power. 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 May 2014. .

McCuen, Gary E. The Nicaraguan Revolution. Hudson, Wisconsin: Gary E. McCuen Publications, Inc., 1986. Print.

Nardo, Don. The French Revolution. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. Print.

LaFeber, Walter. Inevitable Revolutions: The United States in Central America. New York: W.W. Norton, 1984. Print.

"Reagan and the Iran-Contra Affair." BBC News. BBC News, 5 June 2004. Web. .

Rogers, Tim. "A Violent Sandinista Power Play in Nicaragua." Time. Time Inc., 22 Apr. 2010. Web. 19 May 2014.

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