España Boba facts for kids

The period known as España Boba (which means "Meek Spain" in Spanish) lasted from 1809 to 1821 in the Dominican Republic's history. During this time, the area of Santo Domingo was under Spanish rule. However, the Spanish government didn't pay much attention to it. This was because Spain was busy with the Peninsular War in Europe and other wars where its American colonies were fighting for independence. This period ended when Dominican leaders declared independence on November 30, 1821. Soon after, in February 1822, Haiti took control of Santo Domingo, and this occupation lasted until 1844.

Quick facts for kids Capitancy General de Santo Domingo
1809–1821
Flag Lesser coat of arms of the Kings of Spain.
Status	Colony of Spain
Capital	Santo Domingo
Common languages	Spanish
Government	Monarchy
King
• 1813–1821	Ferdinand VII
Governor
• 1809–1811	Juan Sánchez Ramírez
• 1821	Pascual Real
History
• Established	1809
• Ceded eastern portion to France	1795
• Recovered eastern portion	1809
• Independence	1 December 1821
Currency	Santo Domingo real
Preceded by Succeeded by Era de Francia Republic of Spanish Haiti
Today part of	Dominican Republic

How Spanish Rule Returned

Spanish Santo Domingo had been given to France in 1795 because of a treaty called the Peace of Basel. Many Dominicans decided to leave and live in other Spanish areas like Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Even though France was supposed to be in charge, they didn't really control much. Most of the colony's government was run by Dominicans and Spaniards. Spanish laws and traditions stayed in place. Things got even worse when Haiti declared its independence in 1804. This led to more fighting on the island and stopped trade with the western part of the island.

The Peninsular War's Impact

The start of the Peninsular War in Europe changed everything. Spain was now fighting against France again. Dominicans who had left the island and didn't like French rule started to come back. They formed small groups of fighters in Puerto Rico. These groups were led by Juan Sánchez Ramírez and got help from the British navy.

Britain had never agreed that Santo Domingo should go to France. They thought it broke an old agreement called the Treaty of Utrecht. The Dominican and Puerto Rican forces fought and defeated the French army on November 7, 1808, at the Battle of Palo Hincado. This battle helped Spain get Santo Domingo back.

Life Under Spanish Rule (1809-1821)

For the next twelve years, Santo Domingo's economy struggled. Most people only farmed enough food for themselves and their families. There was very little money on the island. After Spain became more stable in 1814, it focused its attention on the more productive island of Cuba.

Spain's Neglect

During these years (1809–1821), Spain mostly ignored Santo Domingo. The colony was managed as an afterthought through the government in Cuba. Cuba was much more important to Spain, especially after the British briefly took it over in 1763. Spain invested a lot of money into Cuba's economy.

While Santo Domingo lost many of its white landowners, Cuba gained many new business owners and powerful sugar plantation owners. The Dominican leaders felt abandoned by Spain. The only money the Spanish government sent to the island was for the salaries of its employees. Unlike Cuba, where there was a big gap between rich and poor, the differences between social classes in Santo Domingo were not as extreme.

Attempts to Change Rule

Just like in other Spanish colonies during the Peninsular War, there were several attempts to form juntas (groups that tried to take control of the government) between 1809 and 1812. Some of these groups wanted to create an independent country. Others wanted Santo Domingo to join Haiti.

One early attempt happened in 1809, led by a man known as "Don Fermín." He was arrested and held in Fortaleza Ozama for seven years before being sent to Spain. Another plot was led by Manuel del Monte. He was discovered, arrested, and sent to Spain, but he was later set free.

Four French soldiers who had stayed in Santo Domingo after Spain took over tried to bring French rule back. Their plan failed, and they were executed. Leaders of a planned revolt by enslaved people and free Black individuals were also executed. These groups wanted to end slavery and join the region with Haiti. Their plot was found out, and many were punished. The four main leaders—Pedro Seda, José Leocadio, Pedro Henríquez, and a man named Marcos—were executed. Their heads were publicly displayed in the capital as a warning.

Santo Domingo's Independence

Since the Spanish government showed little interest in its colony, large ranching families, like the Santanas, became powerful in the southeast. For a while, the law of the "machete" (meaning rough justice) was common.

On November 9, 1821, a group led by Spanish lieutenant governor Núñez de Cáceres overthrew the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo. The rebels declared independence from Spain on November 30, 1821. The new country was called the Republic of Spanish Haiti. On December 1, 1821, they created a document asking to join Simón Bolívar’s Gran Colombia (a large country in South America).

A Short-Lived Independence

In November 1821, another plan emerged in the mountains near Haiti. This group wanted Santo Domingo to join Haiti. This idea was popular among middle and lower-class people, small shop owners, some ranchers, and people of mixed European and African heritage. The movement spread in the southern and Cibao regions.

At the same time, another group in the capital, led by José Núñez de Cáceres, wanted to free Santo Domingo and join it with Gran Colombia. Núñez de Cáceres realized that the pro-Haiti movement was gaining strength. So, he and his followers removed Governor Pascual Real on November 30, 1821. They then established the Independent State of Spanish Haiti.

However, this new state had little support in other parts of Santo Domingo. Núñez de Cáceres also couldn't get Simón Bolívar to promise help from Gran Colombia. The Haitian President, Jean-Pierre Boyer, wrote to Núñez de Cáceres, saying how important it was for the island to be united. Núñez de Cáceres then felt he had no choice but to place Santo Domingo under Haitian rule. Nine weeks later, on February 9, 1822, Boyer officially took control of Santo Domingo and occupied the entire island. This marked the beginning of a 22-year occupation by Haitian forces.

Governors of Santo Domingo (1809-1821)

• 1809-1811 Juan Sánchez Ramírez
• 1811-1813 Manuel Caballero y Masot
• 1813-1818 Carlos de Urrutia y Matos
• 1818-1821 Sebastián Kindelán y O’Regan
• 1821 Pascual Real

Images for kids

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  Map showing the development of territories in Hispaniola.

See also