Santana, pardoned by a provisional government established at Santiago, returns in August 1857 to join the revolution.

He raises his own personal army and soon dominates the movement.

A year of bloody conflict between the governments of Santiago and Santo Domingo takes a heavy toll in lives and money.

Under the terms of a June 1857 armistice, Baez once again flees to Curaçao with all the government funds he can carry.

Santana proceeds to betray the aspirations of some of his liberal revolutionary followers by restoring the dictatorial constitution of 1854.

Santanismo again replaced baecismo; only a small group of loyalists realize any benefit from the exchange, however.

Politically, the country continues to walk a treadmill.

Economically, conditions ha e become almost unbearable for many Dominicans.

The general climate of despair sets the stage for the success of Santana's renewed efforts to obtain a protector for his country.