In November of 1909, tensions escalated in Nicaragua as President José Santos Zelaya ordered the execution of 500 individuals labeled as revolutionaries. Among those executed were two American citizens, which raised significant concerns in the United States regarding the safety of its nationals and the political climate in Central America. The killings were a response to a growing revolutionary movement in the country, which was fueled by dissatisfaction with Zelaya's authoritarian rule and foreign influences in the region. Zelaya's actions not only prompted outrage back in the U.S., where citizens demanded accountability for the deaths of their compatriots but were also reflective of the broader geopolitical struggles occurring in Latin America at the time.

On November 18, 1909, in response to the executions and heightened tensions, the U.S. government decided to send two warships to the region. This military action was intended to protect American lives and interests and to assert U.S. influence in Nicaragua amidst a region marked by political instability and civil unrest. The presence of U.S. naval vessels acted as both a show of force to Zelaya’s administration and a signal to other nations about American interests in Central America. This marked one of the many instances of U.S. intervention, which would contribute to shaping the political landscape of Nicaragua and its relationship with the United States significantly.

The incident further signified a shift in American foreign policy, leaning towards interventionist approaches in Latin America as a strategy to protect American economic interests and resolve regional conflicts. This particular moment foreshadowed subsequent U.S. engagements, including more direct interventions in Nicaragua throughout the early 20th century and a long-standing pattern of U.S. involvement in the domestic affairs of Central American countries.