A
referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
on leasing the
Samaná Peninsula
The Samaná Península is a peninsula in Dominican Republic situated in the province of Samaná. The Samaná Peninsula is connected to the rest of the state by the isthmus of Samaná; to its south is Samaná Bay. The peninsula contains many beache ...
to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
for 99 years was held in the
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares wit ...
on 19 February 1873.
[Dominican Republic: Leasing the Samaná Peninsula for 99 years]
Direct Democracy The proposal was approved by 99.91% of voters, but was never implemented after President
Buenaventura Báez
Ramón Buenaventura Báez Méndez (July 14, 1812March 14, 1884), was a Dominican politician and military figure. He was president of the Dominican Republic for five nonconsecutive terms. His rule was characterized by being very corrupt and govern ...
was overthrown on 2 January 1874.
[
]
Background
The Dominican Republic originally became independent from Haiti
Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...
in 1844.[Dominican Republic: Integration with the USA]
Direct Democracy However, in 1861 the country was occupied
' (Norwegian: ') is a Norwegian political thriller TV series that premiered on TV2 on 5 October 2015. Based on an original idea by Jo Nesbø, the series is co-created with Karianne Lund and Erik Skjoldbjærg. Season 2 premiered on 10 October ...
by Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
following an inflation
In economics, inflation is an increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services; consequently, inflation corresponds to a reductio ...
crisis.[ In 1865 the country became independent again following the Restoration War.][ By 1870 the country had significant debts caused by the ongoing civil war.][ President Báez planned on selling the ]Samaná Peninsula
The Samaná Península is a peninsula in Dominican Republic situated in the province of Samaná. The Samaná Peninsula is connected to the rest of the state by the isthmus of Samaná; to its south is Samaná Bay. The peninsula contains many beache ...
to the United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
for $1.1 million, whilst US President Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27, 1822July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As Commanding General, he led the Union Ar ...
wanted to annex the entire country.[ A treaty was signed between the two countries on 29 November 1869.][ The US would purchase the Dominican Republic for $1.5 million and would lease the Samaná Peninsula for $147,229.91 for 99 years.][ Although the proposal was approved in the 1870 referendum, the ]United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and pow ...
rejected the annexation on 30 June 1870 with a 28–28 vote.The Senate's Role in Treaties
United States Senate
However, Báez still required the money, and wanted to continue with the Samaná Peninsula leasing deal on the same terms.[ The ]Senate of the Dominican Republic
The Senate of the Dominican Republic ( es, Senado de la República Dominicana) is the upper house in the Bicameralism, bicameral legislature of the Dominican Republic, and together with the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic, Chamber ...
agreed to the proposal on 28 December 1872. The plebiscite was later carried out in the form of a register, in which invalid or blank voters were not possible.
Results
See also
*Samaná English
Samaná English (SE and SAX) is a variety of the English language spoken by descendants of black immigrants from the United States who have lived in the Samaná Peninsula, now in the Dominican Republic. Members of the enclave are known as the Sam ...
*Cuban–American Treaty of Relations (1903)
The 1903 Cuban–American Treaty of Relations ( es, Tratado Cubano–Estadounidense) was a treaty between the Republic of Cuba and the United States signed on May 22, 1903. The treaty contemplated leases of Guantánamo Bay; one such lease had b ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dominican Republic Samana Peninsula referendum, 1873
1873 referendums
1873 in the Dominican Republic
Referendums in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic–United States relations
February 1873 events
Proposed states and territories of the United States
Samaná Province