The restoration of Spanish rule in 1809 had ushered in an era referred to by some historians as España Boba, "Foolish Spain".

Under the despotic rule of Ferdinand VII, the colony's economy has deteriorated severely.

After a dozen years of discontent and failed independence plots by various opposing groups, some Dominicans begin to wonder if the sort of independence movement currently sweeping the South American colonies would not best serve their interests.

In keeping with this sentiment, Spanish lieutenant governor José Núñez de Cáceres announces the colony's independence as the state of Spanish Haiti on November 30, 1821.

Cáceres requests admission to the Republic of Gran Colombia recently proclaimed established by Simón Bolivar and his followers and comprising what will later become Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

This period is also known as the Ephemeral independence, as the newly independent republic will end two months later under the Haitian government led by Jean-Pierre Boyer.