ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the stages of United States (US) policy toward Nicaragua through the succession crisis and the revolutionary confrontation, and explains the patterns of behavior. The pattern of US policy toward Nicaragua's succession crisis and revolution followed not only its policies toward Cuba but also those in many other similar cases. Despite its efforts, Washington's ability to influence developments in Nicaragua during the succession crisis and the revolutionary government was limited. While both Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan pursued a strategy aimed at bringing democracy to Nicaragua, both failed. Although no single actor is responsible for the Nicaraguan revolution and its aftermath, Anastasio Somoza Debayle is more responsible than any other. If he had chosen to step down from power or, even better, accept the terms for a free and fair plebiscite, he would have saved his country from the bloodshed and trauma of a decade.
