Dominican Republic Patriot. Born into a middle-class family, he is regarded as the father of Dominican independence. Educated in Europe, (1828-33), he became determined to free the eastern part of Hispaniola from Haitian domination. On his return to the Dominican Republic, he with several other patriots organized the secret society, La Trinitaria, to work toward independence and to stimulate liberalism. His first attempt to oust the Haitians in 1843, collapsed and he fled the country, but his followers succeeded in overthrowing the Haitians, in 1844. He then returned and the Dominican Republic proclaimed its independence. It was not Duarte's followers who ultimately triumphed but was a local caudillo military dictator, Pedro Santana. The defeated Duarte was exiled and took up residence in Caracas, Venez. He left Caracas for his homeland only once, during the War of Restoration in 1864, against Spain, after which he was sent on a diplomatic mission for one year. Then living in Venezuela, Duarte was made the Dominican Consul and provided with a pension to honor him for his sacrifice to his nation. Upon his death at age of 63, his remains were transferred to Dominican soil, given a proper burial with full honors and he was entombed in the beautiful Santo Domingo mausoleum.
Dominican Republic Patriot. Born into a middle-class family, he is regarded as the father of Dominican independence. Educated in Europe, (1828-33), he became determined to free the eastern part of Hispaniola from Haitian domination. On his return to the Dominican Republic, he with several other patriots organized the secret society, La Trinitaria, to work toward independence and to stimulate liberalism. His first attempt to oust the Haitians in 1843, collapsed and he fled the country, but his followers succeeded in overthrowing the Haitians, in 1844. He then returned and the Dominican Republic proclaimed its independence. It was not Duarte's followers who ultimately triumphed but was a local caudillo military dictator, Pedro Santana. The defeated Duarte was exiled and took up residence in Caracas, Venez. He left Caracas for his homeland only once, during the War of Restoration in 1864, against Spain, after which he was sent on a diplomatic mission for one year. Then living in Venezuela, Duarte was made the Dominican Consul and provided with a pension to honor him for his sacrifice to his nation. Upon his death at age of 63, his remains were transferred to Dominican soil, given a proper burial with full honors and he was entombed in the beautiful Santo Domingo mausoleum.
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Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith