Francis Drake was an English explorer, slave trader, and privateer, hailed as a local hero by the British, but despised by Dominicans. Drake had a key role in the Anglo-Spanish War, and made a name for himself invading and raiding La Española in 1586. He led a ruthless assault on Santo Domingo, the modern-day capital of the Dominican Republic, expecting to find gold and wealth which left the city in ruins and its people demoralized.

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