American Intervention in Latin America (nov 11, 1918 – sep 1, 1939)

Description:

Latin America is defined as everything Mexico & below

America was isolated when it came to Europe, but could "meddle" in Latin America

Monroe Document protected Latin America saying that the US could not "meddle" but the Roosevelt corollary to this said that the US COULD meddle in Latin America if necessary

The US fights Spain (which controlled Cuba) and invades Cuba --> staying there until 1922

The US sends a lot of money to Haiti
- loans are not paid back by Haiti
- so US Marines are sent to Haiti
- marines controlled "customs houses" --> foreign trade
- Haiti's bad government (has gone on)
- Dominican Republic is similar

The US takes over Puerto Rico (after the Spanish war) + Virgin Islands (from Denmark)
- becomes "Commonwealth"

**Most American interventions were to get money back from loans, some for businesses, interests, etc.

- Mexico had border arguments with the US

- US got involved in a fight between Venezuela and British Guiana

- US had a lot of interests in Panama --> runs Panama Canal until ~1980

Great Depression
- trade barriers increased
- trade collapsed because of reliance on exports
- economic crises led to dictators/authoritarian regimes (Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, etc.)

Good Neighbor Policy: 1933
- USA no longer should interfere DIRECTLY in Latin America
- a reversal of Roosevelt corollary

**Dictators were ruling throughout Latin America (the US hadn't minded because the stability was good for businesses)

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