4. Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic faced not one, but two U.S. invasions in the twentieth century—first in 1916, then in 1965. Both times, Washington cited political instability and the threat of chaos as justification for military action. The 1916 occupation lasted eight years, reshaping the country’s political landscape and finances. In 1965, U.S. Marines intervened to prevent what was claimed to be a communist takeover during a civil war. These interventions set the tone for U.S. policy in the Caribbean, leaving lasting effects on Dominican governance and regional relations.
