Imperialism in Latin America 1869-1914 Unit 4, Chapter 27
Free-trade Imperialism Economic dependence, but not political Mainly by the United States Extreme poverty Dependence on industrialized nations for manufactured goods Exported raw materials
Railroads Built to extract agricultural and mineral products Connected to ports Argentina had the best developed system because of the rich soil 86% owned by the British Similar to the situation in India & Ireland Political elites in L.A. countries encouraged this as a rapid way to modernize
Europeans in L.A. After 1865 They avoided territorial acquisition because They were too consumed with Asia and Africa L.A. governments already supported economic arrangements L.A. people were capable of resisting invasion U.S. claimed to defend the entire Western Hemisphere against Eastern invasion Monroe Doctrine
American Expansionism
Cuba American businesses heavily invested in Cuban sugar & tobacco Demanded U.S. help liberate Cuba from Spain to save business interests 1898 – Maine killing Americans who blame Spain and told Spain to evacuate Cuba; they did President declared war against Spain anyway — Spanish American War
Results of War U.S. purchased Philippines from Spain U.S. took Puerto Rico & Guam Cuba became independent Platt Amendment 1901 – U.S. has right to intervene to maintain order in Cuba Essentially Cuba was occupied by U.S.
American Intervention Sometimes L.A. states could not repay European loans who would then threaten to intervene U.S. would send in marines enforce Monroe Doctrine Dominican Republic – 1904-1907 Nicaragua – 1912 Honduras – 1912 Haiti - 1915
Panama Province of Colombia French received charter to build canal across Panama Financial scandals & yellow fever condemned construction U.S. saw value of canal & 1903 supported Panamanian rebellion against Colombia U.S. received right to finish the canal & occupy a 5-mile stretch – until 2000!