U.S. Economic U.S. Economic Imperialism in Latin Imperialism in Latin AmericaAmerica

Imperialism in Latin AmericaImperialism in Latin America

BackgroundBackground

Latin America was once in the hands of Latin America was once in the hands of European powers but eventually became European powers but eventually became independent.independent.

The long struggle for independence left The long struggle for independence left the new nations in crumbles.the new nations in crumbles.– Political instability and clashing social Political instability and clashing social

classes.classes. The economy grew however, the nations The economy grew however, the nations

borrowed money from other countries borrowed money from other countries and were not able to pay them back.and were not able to pay them back.

Factors for imperialismFactors for imperialism

Economic interestEconomic interestWhen the nations couldn’t pay back When the nations couldn’t pay back the loans, the providers threatened the loans, the providers threatened to forcefully collect the debt or take to forcefully collect the debt or take over the facility it had funded.over the facility it had funded.

Foreigners gained control of many of Foreigners gained control of many of the industries in Latin America.the industries in Latin America.

Who invaded?Who invaded?

Conquered… (direct)Conquered… (direct) Puerto RicoPuerto Rico GuamGuam PhilippinesPhilippines Northern third of Northern third of

former Mexico former Mexico (now California (now California and American and American southwest)southwest)

TexasTexas

Intervened in… Intervened in… (indirect)(indirect) Cuba Cuba Panama CanalPanama Canal Central and South Central and South

American American countries countries (Roosevelt (Roosevelt Corollary) Corollary)

The United The United States of States of AmericaAmerica

U.S. InfluenceU.S. Influence

Panama CanalPanama Canal Monroe Doctrine and Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt CorollaryRoosevelt 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…Conflict…

Spanish-American WarSpanish-American War Cubans fight war against Spain for Cubans fight war against Spain for

independenceindependence U.S. joins Cuba and defeats the Spanish easilyU.S. joins Cuba and defeats the Spanish easily Cuba becomes independent however, the U.S. Cuba becomes independent however, the U.S.

still intervenedstill intervenedThe Texas RevoltThe Texas Revolt

American colonist moved to Texas, a Mexican American colonist moved to Texas, a Mexican territoryterritory

Tensions arose between colonists and Tensions arose between colonists and Mexicans – U.S. revoltedMexicans – U.S. revolted

Mexicans were defeated and the U.S. Mexicans were defeated and the U.S. eventually annexed Texaseventually annexed Texas

Effects: PositiveEffects: Positive

U.S. controlled the Panama Canal U.S. controlled the Panama Canal which became a major trading region, which became a major trading region, for both hemispheres.for both hemispheres.

The United States became a giant The United States became a giant country with a great deal of influence country with a great deal of influence in other regions.in other regions.

U.S. brought sanitation and material U.S. brought sanitation and material progress to the regions in intervened progress to the regions in intervened in, such as the Dominican Republic, in, such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and HondurasNicaragua, and Honduras

Effects: NegativeEffects: Negative

Latin Americans protested the Latin Americans protested the U.S. interventionU.S. intervention

In Mexico, political instability and In Mexico, political instability and unhappy citizens led to civil warunhappy citizens led to civil war

Railroads in Argentina, controlled Railroads in Argentina, controlled by Britain, did not allow the poor by Britain, did not allow the poor to benefitto benefit

What has happened What has happened since?since? Cuba became Cuba became

officially officially independent independent

United States United States became even became even more of a leading more of a leading powerpower

Panama took over Panama took over the canal in 1999the canal in 1999

United States today

Former Mexico

Overall…Overall…

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