The Golden Fields of Santo Domingo: A Historical Analysis of America's Obsession with the Dominican Republic During the Nineteenth century

Department

History

Authors

Dennis W. Pennington, Western Kentucky University

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

In this work, the term "Santo Domingo" denotes one of three places: Santo Domingo City, the province of Santo Domingo, or the island country of Santo Domingo. Early history is the history of Santo Domingo City. In the seventeenth and early eighteenth century, the term also meant the provincial division ofland in the southeastern quadrant of the island that incorporated Santo Domingo City. When the Spanish were in control of most, if not all, of the island, the name Santo Domingo designated this kingdom. It not only included Santo Domingo City, the hub of activity in early Spanish American history, but it also included the vast grasslands and the island itself. It included the coastal areas and, to the Spanish, most of the water surrounding the island. This territorial explanation may help explain what some may consider aberrant behavior on the part of populations who, when feeling especially challenged, commissioned pirates and privateers to stop the vessels of other countries in what they considered Dominican waters.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Patricia H. Minter

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities

Recommended Citation

Pennington, Dennis W., "The Golden Fields of Santo Domingo: A Historical Analysis of America's Obsession with the Dominican Republic During the Nineteenth century" (2000). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 177.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/177