The Contra War: The Civil War In Nicaragua

Why Was the Contra War so Controversial?
The Civil War in Nicaragua, more commonly referred to as the Contra War, was a contentious interval of violence provoked by differing ideological perspectives.

The Contra War consisted of many parties, although primarily included the Contras, the Sandinistas or FSLN, and the United States Government. The Nicaraguan Revolution spanned from 1970 to 1990, while the Contra War in which the Contras rebelled against the Sandinistas occurred from 1979 to 1990. The Contras rebelled with the support of the United States against the Sandinistas who recently obtained power in Nicaragua. The current state of tension created by the Cold War, having to do with Communist and Democratic disputes, set the stage for the conflict. The Contra War was a highly controversial period of conflict in Nicaraguan history that comprised of many clashing perspectives. The major parties involved in the war included the United States Government that supported the rebelling Contras and strongly opposed the Sandinista authority in Nicaragua. Along with the Contras or counterrevolutionaries that were disaffected by the Sandinista policies and wanted freedom from the Sandinista Government. A final major party involved in the conflict was Sandinistas, who detested the U.S. backed Contras and were fighting for peace in Nicaragua, after a long period of turmoil and insurrection.

The United States Government was a principal party involved in the Contra War and supported

the Contra rebels against the presiding Sandinista authority of Nicaragua because of their opposition to the Sandinista communist ideals.

The United States were strongly opposed to the Soviet Union

and any other related party to the Soviet Union. The United States was currently in the Cold War with the Soviet Union because the United States feared the spread of Communism in the Americas, and its sister, socialism. The Sandinista government, which was a socialist government, was a communist party in the eyes of the Americans (Sullivan & Jordan). The spread of Communism into the Americans, previously in Cuba led the Americans to view the new communist party as a threat to their society and the many surrounding democratic nations. The United States, who were currently in state of tension with the Soviet Union and other Communist parties, known as the Cold War, were perturbed by the proximity of the emerging communist nation and felt the need to get involved. President Ronald Reagan declared in a speech that Central America was “at our doorstep”, meaning that they were neighboring countries and they had a strong influence in our country, and that they could become “the stage for a bold attempt by the Soviet Union… to install Communism by force” (“Support for Contras”). Ronald Reagan made this speech to the United States people on May 9, 1984, to address United States policy towards Central America. The previous resentment of the Soviet Union and Communism by the United States led to their belief that the Sandinistas, a communist party as well, were detrimental to their efforts in Central America. This led to the support of the Contras who were resisting the Sandinistas. The action of the United States government provides a window into how the United States viewed Communism and why they resisted the Sandinista government. Reagan argued that “communist oppression” would occur in Nicaragua and drew on the aversion of the United States towards other communist nations (“Support for Contras”). The Contra’s were viewed in the eyes of President Reagan as “the moral equivalent of the Founding Fathers” and that they were trying to rise up against an oppressive nation (Sullivan & Jordan). Despite the accusations that Contras were uncivil and cruel in their fighting style, the United States Governments regarded these as accusations, and believed many to be exaggerated (Williams). The United States chose to support the Contras, despite their poor human rights records, because they believed that the Contras could overthrow the Sandinista government which encouraged Communism, a major ideological contrast to the United States’s belief in Democracy.
The Contra insurgents, who were allied with the United States, resisted the Sandinistas because they viewed their cause as holy and just and desired to produce a peaceful state in Nicaragua of Democracy, free from the restrictive Sandinista authority. The Contras or counterrevolutionaries were guerilla warfare combatants and began as many ununified organizations fighting against the Sandinista for a multitude of reasons. Many fighters originated from the Nicaraguan National Guard of the Somoza Dynasty (“The Counterrevolutionaries”). Another major source of fighters is from the Nicaraguan people, that were dissatisfied by the newly implemented economic policies of Sandinistas, which were communist and limited the economic potential and freedom . Although some of the early fighters of Contras, who were ex-guardsmen of the Somoza Dynasty, sought to achieve revenge for the Somoza Dynasty, as the cause grew and more aid from the United States was delivered many Contras desired a democratic nation (“The Counterrevolutionaries”). A supporter and member of the Contra revolutionaries, Valdivieso, was asked by The Washington Post Foreign Service about his cause and the U.S. support of the Contras, particularly referring to Ronald Reagan, and he stated that Reagan “saved Central America” and that the U.S. support was “a great ray of light and hope for civilization and liberty in a dark hour for our country” (Sullivan & Jordan). This excerpt of Valdivieso’s comments conveys the perspective of many Contras and their goal to restore peace to Nicaragua. In the eyes of Valdivieso, the communist Sandinistas were a part of a spreading problem through Central America, which was “saved” by the Contras and the United States. A further insight into the perspective of the Contras comes from the Commander of the Contras, and leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force, Adolfo Calero. Adolfo Calero regarded the American democracy very highly and described Reagan as “one of the greatest personages of the 20th Century” (Davison). The main group within the Contras was the Nicaraguan Democratic Force, whose main goal was to establish a Democratic Nation without the powerful controlling government produced by the Sandinistas. A Contra civilian leader, Aristides Sanchez, stated that he wanted support in bringing down the Sandinistas and in establishing a Democracy, while also clarifying that “We completely identify with U.S. interests in Central America” (Williams). Many of the Contra fighters were affected by the strict government control of the economy and feared the communist style of government (Williams). The Contras also view themselves as doing what is right and working for their faith, the Roman Catholic Church. On many of their propaganda, it read “The Pope Is With Us” and “Liberator” (Williams). This conveys the strong belief that the Contras have in their cause and that they are doing what is right for their country in implementing a democratic government that can achieve peace in Nicaragua. The Contras revolted against the Sandinistas in order to create a Democracy independent from the controlling Sandinista government.