Rafael Trujillo

The Dominican Dictator

 La República Dominicana

About 2
times the
size of New
Hampshire
How long was his reign
of power?

1930- May 30th, 1961

What background (race)
makes up the Dominican
people?
- ¾ are European and African
decent because of the numerous
amount of slaves brought from
Africa by the French and Spanish
- ¼ soley trace their ancestors to
Europe or Africa
In 1906 what did the
Dominicans sign with the
United States?

A fifty year treaty that gave

the United States control
over the country’s customs
department
In 1920 what did the U.S.
do to the Dom. Rep.?

The military left the island

and left Rafael Trujillo in
charge of the Dominican
National Guard.
First Lady
Eleanor
Roosevelt
with the
Trujillos,
March 1934.
Francisco
Franco
(Spanish
dictator)
and
Trujillo.
When Trujillo ran against
Horacio Vasquez for
president in 1930 who
won?

Trujillo with 95% of the

votes
Once in power what was
the name of his secret
police force?

SIM Military Intelligence

Service
In 1937 what was one of
his first brutal attacks?

Slaughter of 20,000
Haitians
Who did Trujillo model
his dictatorship after?

Francisco
Franco from
Spain
During his reign he
became extremely
wealthy. How did he do
it?
Took over plantations and
businesses
What was Trujillo’s
nickname?

El jefe

“The boss”
What was the Catorce
de junio movement?
A failed invasion, however it
still continued to spread
small cells of rebellion
throughout the Dominican
and they were planning the
next attack.
When did the
conspirators hope to
assassinate Trujillo?

January 21at a cattle fair,

however the day before
several hundred were
arrested by SIM
Among those arrested
were three sisters. What
were their names?

María, Teresa, and

Minerva Mirabel.
Vice
President
Richard
Nixon and
Trujillo.
 On December 19, 1999 the United
Nations General Assembly designated
November 25 (the anniversary of the
day of the murder of the Mirabal
sisters) as the annual date for the
International Day for the Elimination
of Violence against Women in
commemoration of the sisters.
 In the Time of Butterflies
is based upon the reign of
Trujillo and the Mirabel
sisters…
by Julia Alvarez (1994)
 What have students said about this
lesson in the past…
 “I think the movie was a strong account of what
really happens to people in other countries. It is
a small taste of what can happen in our world.
People want power and will sometimes kill to
get it. While things like this are happening, we
know about it and do nothing about it.”

 “It made me realize how good we have it here

in the United States. We have freedom of speech
and can not be punished for speaking our
opinions.”