Transcript Latin American attempts at independence in relation to

Latin American attempts at
independence in relation to
American Interference
By early 1800’s Latin America was
mostly free from European powers
Imperial powers were replaced mostly by
military dictatorships made up of
creoles/caudillos/oligarchies. The mestizos,
mulattoes, Africans and indigenous people
gained nothing but continued oppression
by the lighter skinned minority.
• There was an argument between conservative
(create monarchies) and liberal (republics).
• Conservative wanted status quo, Liberals
wanted to break down power of Catholic
Church (land, education, influence, wealth),
protect private land ownership and allow
voting. However social reform was mostly
avoided by both groups. Were both protecting
themselves without helping the vast majority.
Because Latin America had rid their
nations of European power, the
Europeans looked elsewhere for cheap
labor and resources.
• Latin American nations were arguing over
whether to look to foreign investment or
create own industries.
By 1800’s The United States was ready
to participate in the global race for
empire but a lot was already taken by
the Europeans…so where to look?
America tried to show its foreign
policy muscle by issuing the Monroe
Doctrine 1823
Doctrine was mostly bark since navy
was only 25 years old and only had 13
frigates and some gunboats
First step toward US influence over Latin
America: The United Fruit Company
By 1880’s UFCO leased 40% of land in
Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras tax free for
100 years and paid no import taxes
These countries were now called “Banana
Republics” because their governments were
basically run by Minor and his interests. The US
was more than happy to even send troops when
political opposition began to discuss land
reform. US preferred cooperative dictators.
http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/fdtcards/CentralA
merica.html
neocolonialism
• Britain and America were highly influential as
trading partners of the newly independent
nations.
• They dictated what would be exported (mostly
agricultural or mineral resources) and imported
finished goods. This led to further exploitation of
the labor and land of the native peoples (ex.
Wheat in Argentina, Coffee in Brazil)
• This delayed industrialization for Latin America.
US Involvement gets worse in support
of corrupt, violent dictators during the
Cold War
• Guatemala’s Arbenz overthrown with support
of CIA and lists of his supporters’ names given
to help with arrests.
Earliest major military interference:
Manifest Destiny somewhat satisfied with
Mexican War 1848 (About ½ of Mexico lost
to America)
Other involvement was slow military
interference
• 1891 Chile:
Chileans forced to pay the families of killed
sailors.
• 1893 Brazil
America sent its navy to protect its shipping
interests when a revolution against a USFriendly politician was gaining success.
• 1895 Venezuela
America reminded Britain of the Monroe
Doctrine when they were in a border dispute
with Venezuela
With growing confidence US gets more
involved
• Cuba 1895, 1898
First manipulates sugar prices and persuade
Cubans to rebel
Seize USS Maine for the Spanish American War
“Splendid Little War”
Teller Amendment claims that US will not govern
gains: Cuba, Puerto Rico but…
• Cuba: US wrote their constitution, stay for 3
years, dominate economy, support corrupt
dictator
• Puerto Rico: still there!
• Puerto Rico: Still there!
1903 Panama
• Under control of Colombia but US (Teddy Roosevelt) wanted a
canal so created a rebellion and then took land for free.
US continued to add legitimacy to its
Latin American claims
• Roosevelt Corollary
1904
US could intervene in
economic affairs if LA
nations in debt
• Wilson Corollary 1913
US should intervene anywhere to promote democracy
and self-determination however:
"all people might want freedom…whether they could
gain and preserve it depended on race.“
Mostly had to do with making sure US oil
and other economic interests were served
Central America
Haiti
Mexico
1900-1950 more of the same
until…The Cold War
• America willing to support anyone who
appears anti-communist. Trained at the School
of the Americas.
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Cuba…
• …we failed
Caudillo rule
• Some like Peron in Argentina or Diaz and then
Madero in Mexico or Vargas in Brazil did have
some liberal ideas of social reform moving into
the mid-20th Century however it was to be
dictated from the top down and implemented
with military backing.
• Much of this was done to make urban dwellers
happy and those who had to live off the land
were still horribly exploited and social reforms
were ignored for them.
• What chance did these nations have after
independence?
• Economically
• Politically
• Socially
• What is the impact of foreign interference and
investment?
• Now that Cold War is over, these regions have
become more independent politically and
democracy is strengthening.
• Emerging middle class in the cities and the
Catholic Church have been the most influential in
demanding political and social change.
• Economically areas are becoming more industrial
however the exploitation of agriculture remains.