Colonized Country

Many independent countries today were once colonized including the US. Dominican Republic and Haiti were once one island called Hispaniola, and was the first new world colony settled by Spain. Hispaniola was split into two separate colonies, Santo Domingo (present day Dominican Republic) and Santo Domingue (present day Haiti). Like most colonized lands the native people were mistreated. Their food supplies were low, the women were abused, and the native Indians were killed off due to exhaustion, starvation, disease and other causes. Because of this Africans were imported as slaves into the the two colonies but more so into Santo Domingo. After the colony of Santo Domingue became independent from Spain, it took over the colony of Santo Domingo in 1821 and ruled the entire island under the Haitian flag. Dominican cultural and religious life suffered under Haitian rule; the people were mistreated, their land and crops were taken, and they were seen as inferior to the Haitians. After 21 years of their culture, customs, religious beliefs, and well deserved respect had being disregarded the Dominican Republic became independent from Haiti on February 27, 1844. Due to its constant lack of strong political power, and because it was always ruled by another country or source of power, the ideas of democracy was not always the country's main concern. Dominican Republic has also always been a poor country due to its beginning colonization. Problems faced by Dominican Republic are similar to the problems faced by other colonized countries. The history of these colonies have forced the country to weaken in politics, government and economy. The only way they have survived is under the rule of another country, therefore when they try to take control themselves as a democracy it usually still ends with the rich in power and the poor struggling. Dominican Republic's history is unique in that it was also ruled by a dictator for many years. This and the struggle for independence caused Dominican Republic many economic and government related problems which affected the natives in a great deal.