Anastasio Somoza García - Nicaraguan Men, Family and Childhood

Anastasio Somoza García's Personal Details

Anastasio Somoza Garcia is the former Nicaraguan President who heralded the autocratic regime in the country which continued for the next 50 years

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Anastasio Somoza García's photo

Who is Anastasio Somoza García?

Anastasio Somoza Garcia was the long-time president of Nicaragua and founder of a dynasty that ruled the country for 50 years. He was born to wealth and privilege in an elite family with strong commercial and governing experience. His well-heeled family sent the young lad to the United States as a teenager in order to complete his education. While in America, Anastasio met another wealthy Nicaraguan exile and later married her. Returning to Nicaragua after finishing his education, this ambitious young man floundered for a few years. However, when a foreign power invaded his country to intervene in a civil war, Somoza made good use of his interpreting skills to secure himself an elevated position in the new government. Later being appointed head of his country's national police force, Anastasio quickly seized the reins of power. He used his new position to order the assassination of a rebel general, followed by the massacre of the rebel general's supporters. Somoza then dismissed the president and installed himself in the top slot. Using nepotism, corruption and classically brutal dictatorship tactics, Somoza extracted vast amounts of wealth from his country for his own personal benefit. Supported and aided by a foreign power, Somoza and his family ran Nicaragua like a medieval fiefdom until an assassin's bullet fatally wounded him during a party.

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Childhood & Early Life

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Anastasio Somoza García biography timelines

• // 1st Feb 1896
  Anastasio Somoza Garcia aka Tacho was born on February 1, 1896 in San Marcos, Nicaragua. His father, Anastasio Somoza Reyes, was a coffee planter. His mother was named Julia Garcia.
• // 1919
  Anastasio married Salvadora Debayle Sacasa in 1919. Together, they had two sons, Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Their sons would later both also become president of Nicaragua.
• // 1926
  In 1926, Somoza joined an armed rebellion seeking to install his uncle as president of Nicaragua. Although the rebellion failed, the young man gained valuable experience as an interpreter working with negotiators from the United States.
• // 1929
  In 1929, Jose Maria Moncada became president of Nicaragua. The spirited youth was tapped to be the governor of the province of Leon, the consul of Nicaragua in neighboring Costa Rica, and simultaneously also the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua.
• // 1933
  In 1933, Somoza's uncle, Juan Bautista Sacasa, was elected president. Somoza was appointed as the head of the National Guard.
• // 21st Feb 1934
  On February 21, 1934, he violated peace talks by having a rebel general assassinated.
• // 1935
  In 1935, he ordered the National Guard to massacre several supporters of the assassinated rebel general and appropriate their land.
• // Jun 1936
  In June 1936, the authoritarian head of National Gaurd forced President Sacasa to resign. A series of weak rulers who were controlled by Somoza ruled the country for the rest of the year.
• // 1st Jan 1937
  Despite widespread allegations of fraud and electoral abuse, Anastasio was improbably elected as president of Nicaragua, taking office on January 1, 1937.
• // 1938
  In 1938, Somoza had the Constitution amended to cede almost all governing powers to the president. He then placed family members and allies in key positions throughout the government and military.
• // 1939
  In 1939, American President Franklin D. Roosevelt admitted that Anastasio was a dictator, but excused his brutality by reputedly saying, "Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch."
• // 1941
  In 1941, the dictator declared war against Japan, Germany and Italy. No Nicaraguan troops ever fought in the war.
• // 1944
  By 1944, he became the largest landowner in the country. Many of his properties had been acquired after he ordered the government to seize German-owned property.
• // 1947
  Later in the year, the United States pressured the autocratic leader to promise not to run for re-election in 1947. He also temporarily legalized unions in Nicaragua.
• // May 1947
  In May 1947, Leonardo Arguello was elected president of Nicaragua. The autocrat tolerated him for three weeks. Somoza then installed his wife's uncle as president. Because foreign powers refused to recognize the government, Anastasio replaced his wife's uncle for his own uncle as president.
• // 1948
  Only in mid-1948 did Somoza successfully get the United States to recognize his government again.
• // 15th Nov 1948
  On November 15, 1948, Anastasio Somoza was featured on the cover of TIME magazine
• // 1950
  In 1950, despite widespread allegations of vote rigging and electoral fraud, he was elected president of Nicaragua.
• // 1954
  In 1954, Somoza collaborated with the United States and sent troops to Guatemala to help overthrow their democratically-elected government.
• // 1955
  In 1955, he amended the Constitution to allow him to compete for another term in office the following year.
• // 21st Sep 1956
  On September 21, 1956, a poet shot Somoza in the city of Leon. Eight days later, the authoritarian leader died from his injuries. His family went on to rule the country for the next two decades.

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Anastasio Somoza García's FAQ

• What is Anastasio Somoza García birthday?

  Anastasio Somoza García was born at 1896-02-01

• When was Anastasio Somoza García died?

  Anastasio Somoza García was died at 1956-09-29

• Where was Anastasio Somoza García died?

  Anastasio Somoza García was died in Ancón

• Which age was Anastasio Somoza García died?

  Anastasio Somoza García was died at age 60

• Where is Anastasio Somoza García's birth place?

  Anastasio Somoza García was born in San Marcos, Carazo

• What is Anastasio Somoza García nationalities?

  Anastasio Somoza García's nationalities is Nicaraguan

• Who is Anastasio Somoza García spouses?

  Anastasio Somoza García's spouses is Salvadora Debayle

• Who is Anastasio Somoza García childrens?

  Anastasio Somoza García's childrens is Anastasio Somoza Debayle, Luis Somoza Debayle

• What was Anastasio Somoza García universities?

  Anastasio Somoza García studied at Peirce College

• What is Anastasio Somoza García's cause of dead?

  Anastasio Somoza García dead because of Assassination

• What is Anastasio Somoza García's political ideology?

  Anastasio Somoza García's political ideology is Nationalist Liberal Party

• What is Anastasio Somoza García's sun sign?

  Anastasio Somoza García is Aquarius

• How famous is Anastasio Somoza García?

  Anastasio Somoza García is famouse as President of Nicaragua