Changes

By 1909, differences had developed over a trans-isthmian canal and concessions to Americans in Nicaragua; there also was concern about what was perceived as Nicaragua's destabilizing influence in the region. In 1909 the United States provided political support to Conservative-led forces rebelling against President Zelaya and intervened militarily to protect American lives and property. With the exception of a 9-month period in 1925-26, the United States maintained troops in Nicaragua from 1912 until 1933. From 1927 until 1933, U.S. Marines stationed in Nicaragua engaged in a running battle with rebel forces led by renegade Liberal Gen. Augusto Sandino, who rejected a 1927 negotiated agreement brokered by the United States to end the latest round of fighting between Liberals and Conservatives.  

By 1909, differences had developed over a trans-isthmian canal and concessions to Americans in Nicaragua; there also was concern about what was perceived as Nicaragua's destabilizing influence in the region. In 1909 the United States provided political support to Conservative-led forces rebelling against President Zelaya and intervened militarily to protect American lives and property. With the exception of a 9-month period in 1925-26, the United States maintained troops in Nicaragua from 1912 until 1933. From 1927 until 1933, U.S. Marines stationed in Nicaragua engaged in a running battle with rebel forces led by renegade Liberal Gen. Augusto Sandino, who rejected a 1927 negotiated agreement brokered by the United States to end the latest round of fighting between Liberals and Conservatives.  

After the departure of U.S. troops, National Guard Commander Anastasio Somoza Garcia outmaneuvered his political opponents--including Sandino, who was assassinated by National Guard officers--and took over the presidency in 1936. Somoza and two sons who succeeded him maintained close ties with the United States.  

After the departure of U.S. troops, National Guard Commander [[Anastasio Somoza Garcia]] outmaneuvered his political opponents--including Sandino, who was assassinated by National Guard officers--and took over the presidency in 1936. Somoza and two sons who succeeded him maintained close ties with the United States.  

Beginning in the late 1970s Nicaragua was ravaged by a civil war between the Somoza government and a socialist faction known as the [[Sandinista]] National Liberation Front (FSLN), which had conducted a low scale guerrilla war against the Somoza regime since the early 1960s. Despite generous funding by the [[Carter administration]] to the Sandinistas, the regime resolutely turned away from the US and with [[Cuba]]n and East European help <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1989/HJM.htm U.S. Policy in Central America], Major J.M Hughes USMC.  Retrieved from globalsecurity.org 15 July 2007.</ref> built up an army of 75,000, larger than that of Mexico.  <ref>Mona Charen, ''Useful Idiots'', Regnery Publishing, 2003. ISBN: 0895261391</ref> As well as killing hundreds of thousands of people, the war left 20% of the country's population homeless <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1225218.stm</ref>.  The Somoza dynasty ended in 1979 with a massive uprising led by the FSLN.

Beginning in the late 1970s Nicaragua was ravaged by a civil war between the Somoza government and a socialist faction known as the [[Sandinista]] National Liberation Front (FSLN), which had conducted a low scale guerrilla war against the Somoza regime since the early 1960s. Despite generous funding by the [[Carter administration]] to the Sandinistas, the regime resolutely turned away from the US and with [[Cuba]]n and East European help <ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1989/HJM.htm U.S. Policy in Central America], Major J.M Hughes USMC.  Retrieved from globalsecurity.org 15 July 2007.</ref> built up an army of 75,000, larger than that of Mexico.  <ref>Mona Charen, ''Useful Idiots'', Regnery Publishing, 2003. ISBN: 0895261391</ref> As well as killing hundreds of thousands of people, the war left 20% of the country's population homeless <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1225218.stm</ref>.  The Somoza dynasty ended in 1979 with a massive uprising led by the FSLN.