60 Questions
Which country was a virtual protectorate of the USA?
Nicaragua
What event led to Costa Rica's president, General Federico Tinoco, responding with a pre-emptive military strike against Nicaragua?
USA's refusal to recognize Costa Rica's government
What was proclaimed in 1823 by the USA?
The Monroe Doctrine
When did Costa Rica and Nicaragua gain formal independence from Spain?
1821
What was Costa Rica proud of being, according to the text?
An 'exceptional' state and society
Which country supported a rebel force that invaded Costa Rica and proclaimed a provisional government?
Nicaragua
Who was the military-political leader of Costa Rica during the conflict with Nicaragua?
José Figueres
What was the outcome of the 1948 invasion of Costa Rica by Nicaraguan National Guardsmen?
The conflict was resolved by an OAS inquiry commission
Why did the USA intervene in the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua in 1947?
To secure Nicaragua's withdrawal of forces from Costa Rica in exchange for renewed American support for Somoza
Who was accused by Nicaragua in 1954 of supporting a plan to assassinate Anastasio Somoza?
José Figueros
What was the result of the 500 Costa Rica rebels, supported by the Somoza government, crossing the frontier from Nicaragua in January 1955?
They were forced to withdraw from captured Costa Rican territory.
What was the primary mode of hostility employed by Figueres and Somoza towards each other?
Verbal hostility
What was the historical context of the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
A centuries-long struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule
What was the role of the OAS in the third Costa Rica/Nicaragua crisis?
It sent a fact-finding mission.
What was the outcome of the crisis in January 1955?
The adversaries agreed to an OAS plan for demilitarized zones along the border.
In which year did the Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict begin?
1918
What was the primary characteristic of the decision-making process in Costa Rica and Nicaragua during this conflict?
Authoritarian and concentrated in an individual
How did the US diplomatic representatives in Costa Rica and Nicaragua influence the decision-making process?
They acted under instructions from the US State Department
What was the most frequent technique used to sustain the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
Political hostility
How long did the Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict last, compared to the Ecuador/Peru and Honduras/Nicaragua conflicts?
It was the shortest of the three conflicts
Costa Rica and Nicaragua were the only countries involved in the conflict.
False
The Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed in 1917.
False
Costa Rica was a virtual protectorate of the United States.
False
General Federico Tinoco was recognized as Costa Rica's president by the United States.
False
Costa Rica and Nicaragua gained formal independence from Spain in 1823.
False
The Costa Rica/Nicaragua crisis occurred in the 19th century.
False
Costa Rica and Nicaragua were colonized by Portugal.
False
The OAS sent a military force to resolve the third Costa Rica/Nicaragua crisis.
False
Economic discrimination was a major factor in the Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict.
False
The Costa Rican rebels were supported by the government of Costa Rica.
False
Costa Rica and Nicaragua gained formal independence from Spain in 1823.
True
The USA supported the government of Costa Rica during the conflict with Nicaragua.
False
The Organization of American States (OAS) played a key role in resolving the third Costa Rica/Nicaragua crisis.
True
José Figueres was the longtime dictator of Nicaragua.
False
The conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua lasted for over 25 years.
True
The USA directly intervened in the Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict.
False
The Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict lasted for 89 years.
False
Political hostility was a frequent technique used to sustain the conflict.
True
The OAS was heavily involved in the decision-making process during the conflict.
False
The decision-making process in Costa Rica and Nicaragua was primarily democratic.
False
What was the relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and how did the US influence this dynamic?
Costa Rica and Nicaragua had a politically hostile relationship, and the US played a significant role in this dynamic as a hegemon, with Costa Rica maintaining its independence and Nicaragua being a virtual protectorate of the US.
How did Costa Rica's perception of itself impact its relationship with the US and Nicaragua?
Costa Rica's pride in being an 'exceptional' state and society led to hostility from the US, which did not recognize Costa Rica's president, General Federico Tinoco, in 1917-1918.
What was the outcome of General Federico Tinoco's pre-emptive military strike against Nicaragua in 1918?
Tinoco was deposed in August 1919, and his successor was also deposed in 1919, due to the US refusal to recognize them as Costa Rica's president.
What was the primary characteristic of the relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua during this period?
The primary characteristic of the relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua was political hostility, which was intense at the onset and during the last decade of the conflict.
How did the US impact the trajectory of Costa Rica's leadership during this period?
The US refusal to recognize Costa Rica's presidents, including General Federico Tinoco, led to their deposition and the installation of new leaders.
What was the outcome of the 1948 Nicaraguan invasion of Costa Rica?
The invasion led to the movement of Costa Rican troops to its border with Nicaragua and minor clashes in January-February 1949.
What was the role of the United States in the 1947 conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
The USA intervened in the conflict, securing Nicaragua's withdrawal of forces from Costa Rica in exchange for renewed American support for Somoza.
What was the relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua before the 1948 crisis?
There was a lengthy period of calm between the principal adversaries from 1919-1943.
Who was accused of supporting a plan to assassinate Anastasio Somoza in 1954?
Costa Rica's President Figueros was accused by Nicaragua.
What was the context of the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
The conflict was a result of political hostility, with Nicaragua supporting a rebel force that invaded Costa Rica and proclaimed a provisional government.
What was the outcome of the 500 Costa Rica rebels, supported by the Somoza government, crossing the frontier from Nicaragua in January 1955?
The rebels were forced by Costa Rican forces to withdraw from captured Costa Rican territory, ending the crisis
What was the primary mode of hostility employed by Figueres and Somoza towards each other?
Verbal hostility
What was the role of the OAS in the third Costa Rica/Nicaragua crisis?
The OAS sent a fact-finding mission and helped to establish demilitarized zones along the border
How did the verbal hostility between Figueres and Somoza contribute to the persistence of the conflict?
It reinforced a deeply rooted political hostility and rivalry between the two neighbors.
What was the historical context of the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
The conflict was fueled by a rivalry between two nations with very different societies, incompatible outlooks, and conflicting interests since their independence from Spain.
What was the characteristic of the decision-making process in Costa Rica and Nicaragua during the conflict?
authoritarian
Which technique had the greatest impact in sustaining the conflict between Costa Rica and Nicaragua?
Political hostility
What was the duration of the Costa Rica/Nicaragua conflict compared to the Ecuador/Peru and Honduras/Nicaragua conflicts?
37 years, compared to 80 years and 89 years
What was the role of US diplomatic representatives in Costa Rica and Nicaragua during the conflict?
Acting under instructions from the US State Department
How was the decision-making process during the conflict in Central America replicated?
Similar to the US decision process in other con cts in which the USA was highly involved as a con ct actor
Study Notes
Costa Rica-Nicaragua Conflict
- The conflict lasted for 37 years (1918-1955), a relatively short duration compared to other post-World War I interstate conflicts in the Americas.
- Political hostility was the most frequent technique used to sustain the conflict, with the greatest impact.
Initial Phase of the Conflict
- Nicaragua supported a rebel force that invaded Costa Rica and proclaimed a provisional government in 1918.
- The new regime was recognized by Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.
- Costa Rica's President General Federico Tinoco responded with a pre-emptive military strike against Nicaragua in 1918.
Period of Calm and Renewed Conflict
- A lengthy period of calm existed between the principal adversaries from 1919 to 1943.
- The conflict was renewed between Costa Rica's military-political leader, José Figueres, and Nicaragua's longtime dictator, Anastasio Somoza.
- Somoza, coping with a domestic political crisis, supported a left-wing Costa Rican president in 1947.
- The USA intervened and secured Nicaragua's withdrawal of forces from Costa Rica in exchange for renewed American support for Somoza.
Verbal Hostility and Violence
- Verbal hostility was employed by both leaders, especially from 1944 to 1955.
- It was highly personalized propaganda, with each leader viewing the other as an enemy and strongly encouraging the overthrow of the other.
- Violence occurred during two interstate crises between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Crises and Resolutions
- An invasion of Costa Rica by 1000 Nicaraguan National Guardsmen in December 1948 led to the movement of Costa Rican troops to the border and minor clashes in January-February 1949.
- The second crisis was resolved by an OAS inquiry commission and a military commission to supervise activity on the border.
- A third crisis occurred from January 8 to 20, 1955, involving 500 Costa Rica rebels supported by the Somoza government.
- The OAS sent a fact-finding mission, and the rebels were forced to withdraw from captured Costa Rican territory, ending the crisis.
Decision Process
- The decision process in both Costa Rica and Nicaragua was primarily authoritarian, with decision-making power concentrated in an individual, a junta, or a family.
- The decision process replicated the US decision process in other conflicts in which the USA was heavily involved as a conflict actor.
US Involvement
- The USA was the self-appointed hegemon of the Americas, and both Costa Rica and Nicaragua were heavily dependent on it.
- The USA dominated Nicaragua's government and political leaders, and continued this role informally long after it voluntarily ceased its direct control of Nicaragua in 1933.
- Costa Rica, like the hegemon of the Americas, proudly retained its image as an 'exceptional' state and society, incurring the hostility of the USA.
Test your knowledge about the conflicts between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the role of the United States in the region. This quiz covers the political hostility and violence during these crises.
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