U.S. Economic Imperialism in Latin America

1. U.S. Economic Imperialism in Latin America By Maddy Anthony

2. Power Struggles in Mexico • Won independence from Spain in 1821 • Becomes a republic in 1823 • Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana- Mexican general and politician, dictated Mexico’s politics • Many military victories gave him popularity • 5 times served as president • Began career liberal reformer then became conservative • 1855 exiled • Benito Juarez- president of Mexico, liberal statesman and national hero. Born into poverty but rose to being a lawyer in Oaxaca from 1847-1852, he appointed Maximilian as emperor

3. Monroe Doctrine • US wouldn’t interfere in European affairs or with Europe's remaining colonies in West Hemisphere • President Roosevelt wanted to protect own interests in Latin America • Latin America- full of resources US and Europe wanted to invest mines, railroads, and factories • Latin American Government good idea for investments • US hoped that the investments would help economies • Instead US and Europeans sent money back to own countries, and it limited their growth • Latin America borrowed money from US, couldn’t pay back loans, foreign countries send troops to force them to pay back

4. Spanish- American Wars • 1898- Cuba Spanish colony for many years but they were unhappy with the Spanish rule • Cubans rebel- upset with Spanish rule • US motives for Cuba- closest and richest of Caribbean islands, invested great money in Sugar and tobacco industries • The Maine- ship in Havana, Cuba harbor attacked, 260 Americans killed, blame Spain • US declared war on Spain 1898 • Spain didn’t want to lose Cuba, Cubans wanted Independence • Cubans win with Americans help • Treaty of Paris ended war in December. Spain gave up claim of Cuba also gave up Philippines and Guam

5. Panama Canal • Important because it created passage between each continent for trade • We had ships stationed in Oregon on specific coast and had to go to Caribbean 13,000 miles away • French tried to build canal but failed • Columbia control • Columbia wouldn’t agree to let Americans build it and got mad, Panamas upset • American forces stationed in Columbia stopped revolt of Columbian businessmen • 1903- Panamas give US rights to build canal • Opened in 1914- greatest engineering feat of the time • Helped people with disease cures (malaria, yellow fever), travel time, trading,

6. Roosevelt Corollary • US got money from Panama, Europe might sent forces to Latin America, they took hard stand • Independence in danger so they had to protect • Made sure Latin America repay loans to Europe- Roosevelt Corollary • Angered many Latin Americans- sounded like they couldn’t manage own affairs • Forced to pay back loans • Despite, Europe military presence in Nicaragua, Haiti, and Dominican Republic

7. La Reforma • Liberal, political, and social revolution in Mexico between 1854 and 1870 • Under leadership of Juarez • Removed Antonio Lopez in 1855 • Enacted Ley Juarez • Abolished fueros ( special privileges of clergy and military) • Ordered sale of all church lands for no specifically religious purpose • Constitution- ended special jurisdiction, limited power of church, placed army under ultimate civilian control, abolished hereditary titles and imprisonment for debt gave Mexican citizens 1st genuine Bill of Rights • 1858- Civil war won by liberal government in 1860 • 1862- Napoleon III sought to establish French power

8. People • Porfirio Diaz- 1830-1915 president of the Republic of Mexico first from 1877-1880 and 1884-1811. Studied law with Benito Juarez and led protests • Francisco I. Madero- Reformist politician and writer who served as president of Mexico from 1911-1913. He helped engineer overthrow of Entrenched dictator Diaz. Executed in 1913 by Victoriano Huerta • Pancho Villa- Mexican revolutionary leader who advocated for poor and wanted agarian reform. Responsible for a raid in Columbus New Mexico in 1916. He then ran from law and is the leader of a revolutionary army. Became Successful and won battle after battle • Emilio Zapat- Mexican revolutionary who fought for rights of the poor. Was a sharecropper and horse trainer, conscripted into army for 7 years. Helped overthrow Diaz with Madero.

9. Advantages and Disadvantages of Imperialism Advantages Disadvantages Dictators control every aspect, corrupt in some ways Cash crops rather than food crops Loss of Cuba Debt pay off loans to Europe and USA, this causes war • New laws- Justice for Mexicans and reform in government • Panama Canal- modernization, irrigation improves farming, travel, and trade

10. Effects of Imperialism Historical Modern day Western culture continued to influence much of world Transportation, education, and medical care improved Resistance to imperial rule evolved into nationalist movements • Local economies became dependent on Industrialized powers • Some nations introduce changes to meet imperialist challenges • Individuals and groups resisted European domination • Westernized culture spread to new regions • Traditional political units were disrupted or destroyed

11. Social Political Economical Effects • Socially, Mexico is in poverty and has very poor areas. • Politically, Mexico is now a democratic government similar to USA. • Economically, the Mexico is the 10th or 12th largest in the world. The American crisis has remained positive in Mexico though.