ABSTRACT
Nineteenth-century Nicaragua was plagued by civil wars and foreign interference. During the first several decades, the Liberal and Conservative elites, based in the cities of Leon and Granada, respectively, struggled to control the national government. In the nineteenth century, globalization in the form of spreading coffee cultivation brought profound social and economic changes. Before 1870, intra-elite turmoil and relatively low foreign economic control had permitted Nicaragua to develop an internal market and a surprisingly large free peasantry. As the economy deteriorated, especially after 1974, Nicaraguan private-sector pressure organizations grew and more boldly criticized the government. Such private-sector groups as the business leader–dominated Democratic Liberation Union called for political and economic reform. Religious practice remained generally free in Nicaragua under the revolution, but the government became increasingly intolerant of expressions of anti-regime political goals through religious practice/groups. The government admitted many foreign missionaries of various sects and permitted churches to take part in the literacy crusade of 1980 and 1981.
