The Dominican Republic history is a story that begins well before living memory and one that will end long after I finish this article. So what is the Dominican republic? It's an island in the Caribbean forming part of the Greater Antilles. It is home to roughly 10 million people and is thus the second largest Caribbean area. So what does the Dominican republic reveal and what can it tell us about the past of the island?

Dominican Republic Early Inhabitants

The very beginning sees the Taino tribes inhabiting the Island. These were natives of America and moved towards the Caribbean like many other tribes for a variety of reasons. It was a very simple civilization which was engaged with fishing and farming. There was, of course, no tourism back in those days. We are talking about before 1000 AD. Dominican Republic history was to wait a long time before casual tourists could bring their suitcases.

Like many other Caribbean islands, the Caribs were the next force to invade and they were more than a match for the natives of that time. Dominican Republic history flew the Carib flags like so many other Caribbean locations at this time. Even though there is still evidence of their existence, the Taino people were completely wiped out.

European Colonization

The Spanish turned up in 1492 and were welcomed at first. The Spanish were exploring the region in a search for a greater empire at this time and were not welcomed so warmly by everyone. After a while, the natives resisted the invasion but were weakened, like so many others, by the diseases that seemingly followed the Spanish during these times.

Christopher Columbus arrived in this same year and claimed it for Spain. In accordance with the aims of the Spanish Empire and for its own economic gains, the island was used for plantation and the Dominican Republic took a side step towards civilization. The Native Taino people were close to disappearing from Dominican Republic history as they were frequently subject to abuse, starvations and even suicide. Spain eventually neglected its interest in the Caribbean after invasions by the Aztecs and the population of the Dominican Republic was 90% slaves.

French Revolutionary wars led to the entire island coming under French control in the year 1795. This rule was not very long lasting and the Dominican Republic was once again pained in Spanish colors in 1808, following Napoleon's invasion of Spain.

Dominican Republic Independence

The Island clearly wanted its independence and much of the property on the island was nationalized. Haitian invasions were seemingly endless but were all resisted. It seemed the Dominican Republic was to go its own way after all.

In 1861, all of this conflict was taking its toll and the island reverted back to being a colony of the Spanish Empire. This was only until the Americans decided they had an interest in the island. Leaders of the island who were loyal to the Spanish were toppled and the island was financially aided by the US.

The Dominican Republic is now free from the Spanish and has its very own system of government. There are no issues with failing politics or independence in the modern day Dominican Republic. This nation is very stable with strong and proud citizens.