US Policy in Latin America (L.A.) Background of US foreign policy in L.A. Two consistent themes: Two consistent themes: 1. Protect and expand US economic and strategic interests US use of economic and political means, rather than military US use of economic and political means, rather than military 2. A portrayal of L.A. as backward, in need of US guidance to save the people from ignorance and promote democracy US only began dealing with L.A. countries after Napoleon relaxed mercantilism and opened the colonies to neutral commerce US only began dealing with L.A. countries after Napoleon relaxed mercantilism and opened the colonies to neutral commerce By 1821, the former Spanish colonies declared independence and in 1822, the US recognized there independence By 1821, the former Spanish colonies declared independence and in 1822, the US recognized there independence

Background Cont. Britain wanted a joint resolution with the US to protect L.A. from further European involvement Britain wanted a joint resolution with the US to protect L.A. from further European involvement Request denied by US Request denied by US Sec. of State John Q. Adams believed there was little danger of European intervention and suspected Britain’s primary purpose was to stop the US from future acquisitions Sec. of State John Q. Adams believed there was little danger of European intervention and suspected Britain’s primary purpose was to stop the US from future acquisitions December 2, 1823 December 2, 1823 President James Monroe sent his annual message to Congress President James Monroe sent his annual message to Congress Is stated that: Is stated that: 1. “the American continents…are henceforth not to be conceived as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” 2. Monroe further stated that the US would consider any European intervention in L.A. “as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the US”

Monroe Doctrine Cont. The Monroe Doctrine, as it came to be known, served as a policy for the western hemisphere The Monroe Doctrine, as it came to be known, served as a policy for the western hemisphere The doctrine had very little immediate impact, but it would formulate American ideals and interests and outline a program which the US would base future action when it had the means to stand by the doctrine The doctrine had very little immediate impact, but it would formulate American ideals and interests and outline a program which the US would base future action when it had the means to stand by the doctrine As the economic activity of the Caribbean and L.A. strengthened the US paid more attention As the economic activity of the Caribbean and L.A. strengthened the US paid more attention

US involvement increases… Cuba, Mexico, and a canal were three major reasons for US to become involved in L.A. Cuba, Mexico, and a canal were three major reasons for US to become involved in L.A. Cuba Cuba Cuba became the 3 rd most important US market (behind Britain and France) Cuba became the 3 rd most important US market (behind Britain and France) In 1852, Pres. Millard Fillmore unsuccessfully tried to buy Cuba from Spain In 1852, Pres. Millard Fillmore unsuccessfully tried to buy Cuba from Spain Mexico Mexico By 1900, the US had $500 million invested in Mexico By 1900, the US had $500 million invested in Mexico Canal Canal There was a need for a canal that connected the Atlantic to the Pacific (eventually the Panama Canal) There was a need for a canal that connected the Atlantic to the Pacific (eventually the Panama Canal) 1850: Clayton-Bulwer Treaty between US and Britain, agreed to “share” (neither side would dominate) Central America or try to gain exclusive rights to a canal 1850: Clayton-Bulwer Treaty between US and Britain, agreed to “share” (neither side would dominate) Central America or try to gain exclusive rights to a canal

Other factors which shaped US foreign policy in L.A. Belief in white supremacy which brought on the Indian reservation system, the exclusion of Chinese immigrants, and the disenfranchisement and segregation of blacks Belief in white supremacy which brought on the Indian reservation system, the exclusion of Chinese immigrants, and the disenfranchisement and segregation of blacks Many people believed the mixed races that were the majority of people in L.A. were inferior to American whites Many people believed the mixed races that were the majority of people in L.A. were inferior to American whites The white supremacy reflected “ the right of character,. Intelligence, and property to rule” (Henry Grady, The Atlanta Constitution) The white supremacy reflected “ the right of character,. Intelligence, and property to rule” (Henry Grady, The Atlanta Constitution)END

Review Quiz 1. What are the two consistent themes of US foreign policy in Latin America? 2. Explain the Monroe Doctrine. 3. What were 3 major reasons to get involved in Latin America? Describe one.