The Cold War

Latin America and Canada

Latin America• The Cold War affected relations between

the US and Latin America in a number of ways due in part to:– The fact that the methods and instruments

used were extremely costly and disproportionate to the goals

– The methods and instruments used were inappropriate to reach the goals

• The use of force and financial assistance was used to further US interests– Done when the US felt threatened by the

development of communism in Latin America

– But…even when governments acted against the US, we did not act if communism was not possible

• This is what made the Americas unique…– The involvement of the USSR or the

“stealing” of US property did not by itself trigger involvement

Latin American Tunes

American Involvement in Latin America ½ 20th C

• Entered into LA for three primary reasons:

1. Gain territory and influence2. To exclude rival powers3. Protect and advance interest of

US firms in LA• Examples include:

• Panama (canal)• Spain in 1898 (territory)• “Dollar Diplomacy” and the

Monroe Doctrine• Mexico in 1914

• Assisted in the removal of General Victoriano Huerta

• So…how did policy change?

Latin American Tunes

American involvement in LA 2nd ½ • The United Fruit Company

– Formed in 1899, had a HUGE influence on politics in LA

– Expropriation in certain countries meant fear of communism (Cuba, G…)

• Guatemala and the Arbenz regime– We had direct influence in G politics for quite

some time– The fear of the Guatemala/Soviet relationship

greatly worried the US– In 1954, Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown in coup

led by the CIA– We did supply weapons to G over the next 40

years….depending on who was in charge• Bolivia in 1952

– Expropriation of Tin mines

Latin American Tunes

• April 28, 1965 invasion of Dominican Republic– First invasion of LA country by US in 40 years– LBJ believed DR was a second Cuba– He was greatly mistaken

• September 4, 1970 Salvador Allende and his Popular Unity Party won – Nixon ordered CIA to block his confirmation and to

“leave no stone unturned”– Tried to direct a coup – Over the next 3 years the US directed covert and

overt operations against regime• Nicaragua

– In the 1980’s Reagan spent a great deal of time with N

– We supplied weapons to the N Resistance (Contras) against the Sandinista government

American involvement in LA 2nd ½

Latin American Tunes

US involvement • Cuba and Fidel Castro (1959)

– The US supported the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961

– Operation Mongoose-the use of covert tactics to undermine the Castro regime…including an embargo

– The Cuban Missile Crisis…October of 1962

• US intelligence (ha ha) saw missile bases being built in Cuba, led to a tense 13 day stand-off

• 1983 invasion of Grenada– The New Jewel Movement (1979-1983) a

communist party with close ties to C and USSR

– The US saw the government as a significant threat to Democracy

• 1989 Bush invaded Panama to overthrow the government who was suspected of drug-trafficking

Latin American Tunes

Focus Task: The Implications of Latin America

• Imagine you are an advisor to the President and a firm believer in containment. Write a briefing on the comparative policies of Latin America and Asia in which you do the following:– Identify specific examples of US involvement in

each area– Assess the relative success of both areas,

paying special attention to areas we “lost” to communism

– Summarize the intent of each area, why did we get involved in Asia and LA

– How are the two areas different and should future policy be changed accordingly?

PSD’s on Latin American Policy

• “If Central America were to fall, what would be the consequences for our position in Asia, Europe and for alliances such as NATO? If the United States cannot respond to a threat near our own borders, why should Europeans or Asians believe that we are seriously concerned about threats to them?– Reagan addressing a special session of Congress in 1983 defending his

foreign policy