Nicaragua

Problems

     By 1910, Anti American president Jose Santos Zelaya and Zelaya's handpicked
successor Jose Madriz posed problems for US efforts at imperialism. Examples
of these problems included their meeting Japaneese and European diplomats about
the building of a canal in the country's southern region. As if this wasn't enough to
frustrate American diplomats, the government enforced a tariff increases to US traders
off the mosquito coast, forcing them to inconveniently trade in Asian markets.

                                    
                        (click to enlarge map)

American Response

     In Washington, US interests favored imperialism, and hence a new pro- American ruler in
Juan J. Estrada. Therefore, knowing of his US support, Estrada declared against president
Zeleya in October, 1910. After successfully overthrowing Zeleya, Estrada was able to and win
financial support from foreign capitalists.
     After the Estrada victory, US representatives were made more effective in the area. An example
of this was the US consul in the Bluefields (see above map), Thomas Moffat. He represented one
of Estrada's Allies, helped in the ordering of the "unscrupulous mercenaries" to the area..
At this point, The US also warned the Nicaraguan government not to interfere with the movement of
ships inand out of Bluefields.

Result

By 1912, the American augmentation of Estrada's rebels had forced Zelaya and then Madriz abandoned
the presidency.