Francisco del Rosario Sánchez
Francisco del Rosario Sánchez (9 March 1817 – 4 July 1861) was a Dominican revolutionary, politician, and former president of the Dominican Republic. He is considered by Dominicans as the second prominent leader of the Dominican War of Independence, after Juan Pablo Duarte and before Matías Ramón Mella. Widely acknowledged as one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, and the only martyr of the three, he is honored as a national hero. In addition, the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella is named partially in his honor.
Mr. President Francisco del Rosario Sánchez | |
|---|---|
Portrait of General Francisco del Rosario Sánchez c. 1840s–1850s | |
| Interim President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office 28 February 1844 – 1 March 1844 | |
| Vice President | Manuel Jimenes (interim) |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Tomás Bobadilla |
| Governor of Santo Domingo | |
| In office 1856 – 1858 | |
| Appointed by | Buenaventura Báez |
| President of the Central Government Junta | |
| In office 9 June 1844 – 16 July 1844 | |
| Vice President | None |
| Preceded by | Tomás Bobadilla |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Santana |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 March 1817 Santo Domingo, Captaincy General of Santo Domingo |
| Died | 4 July 1861 (aged 44) San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Resting place | Altar de la Patria |
| Nationality | Dominican |
| Political party | Central Government Board |
| Other political affiliations | La Trinitaria |
| Spouse |
Balbina de Peña Pérez
(m. 1849) |
| Domestic partner(s) | Felícita Martínez, María Evarista Hinojosa, Leoncia Leydes, Mercedes Pembrén |
| Relations | Socorro Sánchez del Rosario (sister) María Trinidad Sánchez (paternal aunt) |
| Children | Mónica, María Gregoria, Leoncia, Petronila, Juan Francisco, Manuel de Jesús |
| Parents |
|
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician, teacher, independence leader |
| Known for | Hoister of the tricolor flag of February 27 Martyr of El Cercado |
| Awards | National hero |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Dominican Republic |
| Branch/service | Haitian Army
|
| Years of service | 1838–1861 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | Dominican War of Independence Cibaeño Revolution |
| Honors | Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella |
| Though not the first constitutional president, Sánchez took office as the first president of the provisional government. The first constitutional president wouldn't be installed until 14 November 1844, with Pedro Santana taking office. | |
Following Duarte's exile, Sánchez took leadership of the independence movement, while continuing to correspond with Duarte through his relatives. Under Sánchez, the Dominicans would successfully overthrow Haitian rule and declare Dominican independence on 27 February 1844. With the success of the separation from Haiti, Sánchez took office as the Dominican Republic's first interim president before ceding his position.
But his ideas of an independent state were fiercely challenged by many within the sector who felt that the new nation's independence was only a temporary success. Because of his patriotic ideals, Sánchez, like many of his peers, would be on the receiving end of these political struggles. His main political rival was none other than the military general, Pedro Santana. His status as a patriot came with many unfortunate consequences, including incarceration, deprived of his assets, exiled throughout the Caribbean, and worst of all, the death of his companions.
By 1861, his worst fears of the end of the republic came to reality upon learning that the pro-annexation group led by Santana agreed to reintegrate Dominican Republic back to colonial status. With no time to waste, Sánchez rushed back to his homeland to challenge this decision, but was lured into a trap by the very same people who allied with him, leading to his unfortunate death on 4 July 1861. His death triggered a national outrage throughout the island, and marking a new era of struggle for independence, which was eventually achieved in 1865.