Nicaragua
This collection features materials describing the
broad and complex history of Nicaragua’s political struggle. The history of Nicaragua
includes years of colonialism, dictatorships, revolutions, and rebellions. The
majority of our materials focus on the Sandinista National Liberation Front
(FSLN) and their struggle for national liberation. The Sandinistas took their
name from Augusto Cesar Sandino who led resistance against the U.S occupation
of Nicaragua in the 1930s. The FSLN was formed by students, workers and
peasants in the early 1960s and pushed for political change during Anastasio
Somoza’s Debayle regime. As the 1960s progressed, the FSLN stepped up guerilla
warfare and succeeded in overthrowing the Debayle regime in 1979.
Beginning in 1981, opponents of the Sandinista government began to attack Nicaragua with the financial support and training of the U.S government. These forces were known as Contras. Contras included people who fought for Somoza and had a hatred for the Sandinistas, but also included indigenous peoples of Nicaragua that the U.S had convinced to oppose the Sandinistas’ vision for the future of Nicaragua. The U.S was involved in Nicaragua for two main reasons, including, private and corporate interest and the fear of the spread of communism and Marxism. This fear was reinforced when Cuba and Soviet Russia became Nicaragua’s main contributors and allies and after the Sandinista victory.
Documents
Voices From Nicaragua: Sofia Clark
Date: 12/4/1989Call Number: LA 104AFormat: Cass AProducers: Grant Fisher, Barry CorngoldProgram: Voices From NicaraguaCollection: Nicaragua
In this interview with Sofia Clark, the Nicaraguan Liason to the Superior Electorial Council, Clark emotionally explains the situation of the contra war and the struggle to regester voters in the eve of the election. She tries to reveal the underbelly of “demobialization” and Violetta Chamorro’s intent to carry on her husband’s legacy. She also explains the involvement the UN will have on the election and the truth about US funding for UNO and the govt.
Nicaragua bebop
Unedited recording session of Rosario Murillo’s poem “I’ve had to tear up all the daily papers” read by Nina Serrano, accompanied by Stephen Herrick on sax. Rosario Murillo is the director of the association of Sandanista Cultural workers. The poem is dedicated to her husband, Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua.
Psychological Operations in Guerrilla Warfare
Publisher: CRS Language ServicesDate: 10/15/1984Volume Number: October 15Format: MonographCollection: Nicaragua
This book is a manual for the training of guerrillas in psychological operations, and its application to the concrete case of the Christian and democratic crusade being waged in Nicaragua by the Freedom Commandos. Table of Contents: Introduction; Combatant-Propagandist Guerrilla; Armed Propaganda; Armed Propaganda Teams; Development and Control of Front Organizations; Control of Mass Concentrations and Meetings; Massive In-depth Support through Psychological Operations; Techniques of Oratory.
Voices From Nicaragua: U.N.O.
Call Number: LA 104BFormat: Cass BProducers: Barry CorngoldProgram: Voices From NicaraguaCollection: Nicaragua
In this compilation of voices exploring the gritty subject of the United National Oposition (Union Nacional Opositora) in Nicaragua, Edgar Chamorro, a distant relative of Violetta and Pedro, Thomas Walker, a political scientist, and Antonio Lacayo explore the UNO campaign. Subjects such as land reform, the invasion of Panama, CIA bribery and the Stanford Plan are addressed from various viewpoints.
Nicaragua this week
Robin Singer, from the Atlantic Committee on Latin America, speaks about his recent trip to Nicaragua to deliver humanitarian aid. He talks about the aid program, worker-owned cooperatives, the burgeoning of small farms in the previous 10 years, and cooperatives defending themselves from CONTRA attacks. During his visit all heads of Central American states met in Honduras including a delegation from Nicaragua representing all 21 opposition parties and the Sandinistas. All the Central American states signed the Taylor Agreement ordering the disbanding of the CONTRAS. Also discussed are the U.S. economic embargo, internal Nicaraguan support for the Sandinistas, and projections for outcomes of the Taylor Agreement.
Voice of Sandino
Sugar workers and sugar commission talks broke down. Government repealed a law that prohibited the commercialization of Christmas. Health ministry region declared that 2 children die everyday of illness. Hospitals in Managua are hit hard by bacteria resistant to antibiotics, bacteria was attributed to basic hygiene.
Poetry reading by Ernesto Cardenal
Poetry reading followed by a short question and answer dialogue from Father Ernesto Cardenal of Nicaragua. Poems, including "The Big Bang", "Wall and Water Street" and other pieces, are read in Spanish with English translation. Cardenal is known as one of the greatest living Latin American poets today. He wrote during the Samoza dictatorship and the Sandanista overthrow of Samoza in 1979. Through his poems, Cardenal brings together science and poetry, science and mysticism, mysticism and revolution, and poetry and politics. He speaks out against oppression and searches to preserve the unity of creation through spiritual insight. In a short question and answer period at the end of the reading, Cardenal discusses how Nicaraguan culture and revolution are entertwined and how poetry is an expression of the revolution. Cardenal also talks about his priesthood as a lifelong commitment and of poetry as a religious practice.
Interview with Luis Godoy
1989 interview with Nicaraguan revolutionary musician, Luis Godoy. Godoy was born in 1945 during the Samoza dictatorship. He speaks about the responsibility of an artist to send an important message and raise the consciousness of the people. Godoy then explained that from a very young age he realized that he could express the injustices of Nicaragua through songs, "I realized that my music could be used as a social tool". Throughout the interview, Godoy discusses those who have influenced his music, his involvement with past bands, and his visions for the future in both his musical career and for his country.
Daniel Ortega’s speech to the people of the United States
Daniel Ortega, former president of Nicaragua (1985-1990), speaks to the people of the U.S. about the U.S. backed Contra war in Nicaragua. Ortega emphasizes the affects that the war has had on the people of Nicaragua, materially, spiritually, and politically. Ortega lays out specific steps the U.S. should take in order to support democracy in Nicaragua, talks about the U.S. embargo as a violation of human rights. Speech was broadcasted on WRFG radio in Atlanta, Georgia. Recordings include music by Grupo Mancotal.
The Death of Ben Linder
Date: 1/19/2000Call Number: KP 162Format: CassetteProgram: Veteran’s Voice - KBOOCollection: Nicaragua
A Veteran for Peace discusses “The Death of Ben Linder” with its author, Joan Kruckewitt, and Elizabeth Linder (mother of Ben Linder). Ben Linder’s personal life and his work as a juggler and engineer are covered. The situation in Nicaragua and the CIA’s role in Linder’s death are also discussed.
