Imperialism in LATIN AMERICA Michelle Lee, Alice Ahn, Beatrice Park

Background Information ~Independence and the economical dependency~ For a long time Latin America was colonized by Europeans. Latin American countries fought for independence between the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s. After it became independent, trading in Latin America after the early 19th century was no longer restricted. Britain and the United States were the major trade partners. Latin America exported natural resources and imported manufactured products; Latin America, not industrialized, depended on other countries for factory-made goods. Latin America had to borrow money for their trading facilities from foreign countries: Britain, France, Germany, and the United States. The foreign countries took over the industries when Latin American countries were unable to clear off debts.

IMPERIALISM OF THE UNITED STATES THE UNITED STATES GAIN IMPERIAL POWER! The United States used various methods to economically and politically control Latin America. Such as… I’ll “help” you!..really? WAIT!! Noooooo…

THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898) Cuba, colony of Spain, called for a revolution in 1868, but gave up in The US interfered and supported the second fight that started in 1895: The Spanish-American War started. The Spanish army, weakened from the long battles, soon surrendered. To the United States, this gave imperial power over Latin America. The other colonies of Spain also fell into the hands of the US. To Cuba, the US was abominable; the US had prevented their total freedom. The Cubans also hated the military government established by the US. You should thank me! :(

THE PANAMA CANAL (1903) Commerce in America faced obstacles, due to the harsh land/sea travel. The US decided to dig a canal across Central America, Panama. Panama was colonized by Colombia; Colombia claimed for a huge amount of payment for the canal. The US stirred up Panama for a revolution and supported their battle. After their victory, Panama provided a ten-mile wide zone to the US for the canal. To the United States, the canal provided a easy pathway for commerce. The US also collected the tollgate for passing the Panama Canal. The US helped Panama to build the canal without paying the payment, which outnumbered $10 million. To Panama, the US gave them the opportunity and help for independence. Though they had to give a huge amount of land and the right to collect tollgate fee.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE (1823) AND THE ROOSEVELT COROLLARY(1904) ~The US proposes pretexts for interference~ President Monroe proposed that the American continents will no longer let European countries to colonize them. Adding to the Monroe Doctrine, President Roosevelt proposed the Roosevelt Corollary that the United States will be “an international police power”. To the United States, this was a specious pretence to justify their interference to Latin America and prevent European invasion and rivalry; which would lead to their economical profit. The US even sent armies to Latin America to take control. To the Latin American countries, this meant that they were only entitled independent countries, but actually controlled and interfered by the US. They protested for true freedom.

On the exterior, Latin American countries gained independence from Europe. As this was happening, the United States saw an opportunity to gain power in the region. America started to support the revolutions so that it could gain “imperial” power through spheres of influence without any competition.Since Europe did not restrict trade in Latin America anymore, the US was able to make contracts advantageous for themselves, send troops to control Latin America, and build the Panama canal. SUMMARY ~USA -THE COMMANDING IMPERIAL POWER IN LATIN AMERICA~ …^_^

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