U.S. FOREIGN POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICA

This research paper critically analyzes American foreign policy toward Latin America during the past century. The primary objectives of that foreign policy have been to protect American national security and to further American economic interests. Secondary importance has attached to the furtherance of democracy and human rights within the Western Hemisphere. Different approaches have been taken by American foreign policy makers to achieve these goals, reflecting changing conditions and the predilections of particular administrations as well as political realities here and in Latin America. Overall, American foreign policy has been successful, but the United States has often been slow to recognize emerging trends in Latin America which needed to be taken into account and by internal contradictions in its policy formulation process.

Prior to the late 19th century, the United States was preoccupied with its own territorial expansion and domestic problems. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 warned Europeans not to intervene in Latin America but was not backed by force. The United States became embroiled with, and seized a large portion of Mexico, as a result of the Mexican War. The rapid industrialization of the United States after the Civil War led to renewed interest in Latin America as a market for American products and as a source of foodstuffs and other primary products. American foreign direct investment (FDI) in L

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titution industrialization" (p. 106). During the administrations of Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, Latin America did not figure prominently, except as a junior partner in the emerging struggle between the Western and communist worlds. Wartime strains between the United States and Argentina over the latter's Axis' sympathies were patched up. In 1947, a hemispheric defense pact signed in Rio de Janeiro committed Latin American nations to take common defense measures whenever two thirds of them agreed that a common threat existed. In Bogota in 1948 the Organization of American States (OAS) came into being to implement the Rio treaty. Latin Americans became increasingly preoccupied more with questions of their own economic development than the Soviet threat. Gilderhus said :"Latin Americans meanwhile resented the neglect, regarding it as a sign of indifference and condescension" (p. 113). The United States sent substantial military assistance to Latin America during the postwar period, and encouraged its private sector to invest there; however, Latin America was not a primary recipient of American foreign economic assistance. The seeds of mutual misunderstanding were evident in the tepid support of Latin America for the UN war e
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Latin America, Latin American, Lima Caracas, Latin Americans, Political Status, Puerto Rico, Wilson United, Nixon Ford, Puerto Ricans, World War, latin america, latin american, foreign policy, puerto rico, american foreign, american foreign policy, latin americans, world war, human rights, american nations, latin american nations, rico political status, political status, puerto rico political, foreign policy latin,
Approximate Word count = 2245
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)