Case Study: US Expansion Into Latin America

LTS 1004
3/10/14
Midterm Paper

U.S. Expansion into Latin America Throughout the short history of the United States, it is clear that the U.S. is an international superpower; its diplomatic policies have reach all corners of the earth. Mainly throughout the 20th century, the U.S. government has greatly involved itself in the affairs of a few Latin American nations. The adverse effects resemble the colonialism of South Africa by European nations. Even without colonies in Latin America, the U.S. had been involved in a number of Latin America economies and governments, through the indirect implementation of dictator rule, establishing foreign policies, and overall abuse of their power as one of the largest nations in the
because economic conditions did not improve. At one point the U.S. controlled for 75% of the sugar cane industry in the Dominican Republic. AS a result, the U.S. transported laborers from the West Indies to work in these fields for lower wages than the natives would work for. In return, Dominicans began to flock to the U.S. to earn a better living. At this point in time Americas foreign policies regarding Latin America had taken their toll on Latinos. The best course of action was to come to the United States to work. In the case of the Panama Canal, not only did the U.S. seize control of the foreign soil through military power, they also hired laborers from the West Indies who accepted to work for low wages. The outcome of the Panama Canal left the U.S. cashing in while Latinos were leaving their home to find jobs. Another sad example is that of the sugar cane monopoly set up by the U.S. in the Dominican Republic. At one point the U.S. controlled for 75% of the sugar cane industry in the Dominican Republic. AS a result, the U.S. transported laborers from the West Indies to work in these fields for lower wages than the natives would work for. Not only did the U.S. have a monopolistic approach to handling their sugarcane business hurt the D.R. 's economy but it also hurt the people. Unbelievably, all throughout the 70 's and 80 's Latinos were coming to the U.S. because of U.S. involvement in Latin
The treatment of Latin America and the policies imposed on them is eye opening, and possibly on scholars and Latinos understand what America has done to them. Always looking to benefit them, America has essentially change the economy and politics in quite a few Latino nations. It is unfortunate that the history of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America has been overlooked but it goes to further show the United States’ abuse of power. U.S. policies have left Latinos immigrating to the states in order to make money for themselves as well as their families back home. This has spurred the American economy but at the same time it leaves Latinos having to work hard away from home in order to get back home and live an easy life.

Works Cited
- Acuña, Rodolfo. "Chapter 3 A Legacy of Hate: The Conquest of Mexico 's Northwest." Occupied America: A History of Chicanos. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print.

- González, Juan. Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America. 58-78. Print.

- Pastor, Robert A., and Robert A. Pastor. Exiting the Whirlpool: U.S. Foreign Policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. Boulder, CO: Westview, 2001.