One of the cruelest dictators in the Dominican Republican history was Rafael Trujillo. Rafael Trujillo was born on October 24, 1891 and first began his career on December 9, 1918 when he accepted training to become a National Guard officer ("Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina"). Due to his obedience, enthusiasm, and discipline, once Trujillo had finished training he was quickly promoted, becoming the chief officer(second in command) in 1924 and commander in chief in 1928 (Schoenhals, “Trujillo Molina, Rafael Leónidas (1891–1961)”). After Horacio Vázquez resigned his presidency, Rafael announced his candidacy and used his authority to maneuver the politics by jailing, killing, and beating supporters of his opponent, gaining complete control over the votes. As president, Trujillo served from 1930 to 1938 and then returned as president from 1942 to 1954 ("Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina"). “Trujillo established the most totalitarian control over his people that any Latin American country had theretofore experienced (Schoenhals, “Trujillo Molina, Rafael Leónidas (1891–1961)”).” The government brutality, unfair treatment of women, lack of democracy, and disagreement with the United States alliance inspired the resistance against Rafael Trujillo 's rule in the Dominican Republic. From the beginning of Trujillo’s presidency, the Dominican Republic suffered great amounts of brutality throughout the country that eventually became a cause for the resistance to Trujillo’s rule. Trujillo was known as a “military dictator” because of his military roots that showed with his violent ruling (“Rafael Trujillo”). “Using the army as his private instrument of terror, Trujillo assassinated leaders of opposition parties, fired upon union demonstrations against his candidacy and ransacked the offices and headquarters of all opposition groups” (“Rafael Trujillo”). During Trujillo 's rule, any group or organization such as newspapers, radio stations, political parties and other that did not agree with him, were put to an end. In 1937, Trujillo slaughtered approximately 25,000 Haitians in attempt to "whiten" the Dominican Republic (Schoenhals, “Trujillo Molina, Rafael Leónidas (1891–1961)”). Thousands of citizens on Trujillo’s blacklist, whom were looked at with suspicion or disapproval, were murdered or tortured in prison (“Rafael Trujillo”). From disagreements of government, a civil war started in the Dominican Republic between Constitutionalists and Loyalists. The civil war and revolution ended on August 31, 1965 with The Act of Dominican Reconciliation, a compromise promising a newly created government, restorement of the military, and national elections held in June 1966 (Schoenhals, “Dominican Revolt (1965)”). Another influence of Trujillo’s resistance was his unfair treatment of women during his rule. During Trujillo’s presidency, women knew him for his unfair treatment and sexualization, which helped influence the resistance against him. Trujillo had the legacy for his appetite for young women, causing families to hide their daughters when he was in town because if they did not, there was no way to refuse his invitations for her to come to see him (Robinson, 176). I still remember the afternoon it all started… Trujillo had been visiting some official’s house next door, and attracted by the shouts from our volleyball game below, he had gone out to the balcony. When he caught sight of our beautiful Lina, he walked
…show more content…
In the book, Alvarez tells her depiction of the story of each sister. The Mirabal sisters lived during the time that Rafael Trujillo was in power and became part of the resistance against him, eventually costing their lives. There were four sisters, three of whom were murdered by Rafael Trujillo. Patricia is the oldest sister. She was the most religious (catholic) of the sisters and wanted to become a nun. Dede is the second born sister who was always cheerful and compliant; she was the practical one. Dede was the lone sister that survived when her sisters were murdered. Minerva was the next born sister who was outspoken and confident. Minerva was the most involved in the resistance to Rafael Trujillo and was once Trujillo’s desire. Maria Teresa was the youngest of the sisters. While the other sisters were all about a year apart in age, Maria Teresa was nine years younger than Minerva. Maria Teresa was introduced to the resistance by Minerva and continues to be apart of it when she falls in love with a man also involved in the
In the book, Alvarez tells her depiction of the story of each sister. The Mirabal sisters lived during the time that Rafael Trujillo was in power and became part of the resistance against him, eventually costing their lives. There were four sisters, three of whom were murdered by Rafael Trujillo. Patricia is the oldest sister. She was the most religious (catholic) of the sisters and wanted to become a nun. Dede is the second born sister who was always cheerful and compliant; she was the practical one. Dede was the lone sister that survived when her sisters were murdered. Minerva was the next born sister who was outspoken and confident. Minerva was the most involved in the resistance to Rafael Trujillo and was once Trujillo’s desire. Maria Teresa was the youngest of the sisters. While the other sisters were all about a year apart in age, Maria Teresa was nine years younger than Minerva. Maria Teresa was introduced to the resistance by Minerva and continues to be apart of it when she falls in love with a man also involved in the