U.S. Economic Imperialism in Latin America

Background Latin America was once in the hands of European powers but eventually became independent. The long struggle for independence left the new nations in crumbles. Political instability and clashing social classes. The economy grew however, the nations borrowed money from other countries and were not able to pay them back.

Factors for imperialism Economic interest When the nations couldn’t pay back the loans, the providers threatened to forcefully collect the debt or take over the facility it had funded. Foreigners gained control of many of the industries in Latin America.

The United States of America Who invaded? The United States of America Conquered… (direct) Puerto Rico Guam Philippines Northern third of former Mexico (now California and American southwest) Texas Intervened in… (indirect) Cuba Panama Canal Central and South American countries (Roosevelt Corollary)

Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary U.S. Influence Panama Canal Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary The Panama Canal was built by Americans in the early 18th century. Many of the workers died during the construction, due to diseases and such but the canal is now considered one of the world’s greatest engineering accomplishments and the U.S. controls it. It allows for extremely faster travel and trade because traveling all the way around South America is not necessary anymore. The United States decided to issue a doctrine so that European countries could not reconquer the new republics, including itself. However the addition to the Monroe Doctrine, the Roosevelt Corollary states that the United States has the right to be an “international police power” in the Western Hemisphere. Americans however used this to intervene in Latin American affairs.

Conflict… Spanish-American War Cubans fight war against Spain for independence U.S. joins Cuba and defeats the Spanish easily Cuba becomes independent however, the U.S. still intervened The Texas Revolt American colonist moved to Texas, a Mexican territory Tensions arose between colonists and Mexicans – U.S. revolted Mexicans were defeated and the U.S. eventually annexed Texas

Effects: Positive U.S. controlled the Panama Canal which became a major trading region, for both hemispheres. The United States became a giant country with a great deal of influence in other regions. U.S. brought sanitation and material progress to the regions in intervened in, such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras

Effects: Negative Latin Americans protested the U.S. intervention In Mexico, political instability and unhappy citizens led to civil war Railroads in Argentina, controlled by Britain, did not allow the poor to benefit

What has happened since? Cuba became officially independent United States became even more of a leading power Panama took over the canal in 1999

Former Mexico United States today

Overall… Imperialism in Latin America had more disadvantages than it had advantages. So much conflict was created because of U.S. economic imperialism. As well as tensions between resistant inhabitants that led to war.