Across Latin America in the eighteenth century, the rich white / lighter skinned elites took power from the “home” imperialist nations (i.e. Spain and Portugal) and have done whatever it takes to maintain that power since, supported by the US, Canada and Europe. The only exception was Haiti, where a people’s revolution was carried out and that nation has been punished ever since – how dare ex-slaves gain their own freedom! The same punishments have been carried out against the Cubans for six decades, the Nicaraguans for four decades and Venezuelans for two decades, for their temerity in overthrowing the exploitative lighter skinned elites and the interests of the US.
great overview roger.. it is quite a sad history in fact.. i have followed this somewhat casually from the 70's, and always knew the role of the cia and friends, meddling in the affairs of south america.. so much of it revolves around the role of the imf, world bank, and oligarchs both inside and from abroad..
you have a typo very early in your article - how dare ex-salves - ex slave is what you want to say.. cheers james
When President Eisenhower took office in 1953, he took a decisive stand against developmentalism, which he regarded as a threat to America's commercial interests. Ike brought two men into his administration who shared his views: John Foster Dulles as Secretary of State, and his brother, Alan, to head the CIA. The lawyer brothers had represented J. P. Morgan, the Cuban Sugar Cane Co., and United Fruit - the very companies that stood to lose from developmentalism.
Eisenhower knew it would be difficult to justify attacking a movement that was so obviously rooted in the principles of equality, justice and independence so, to get the American public onside, he drew heavily on Cold War rhetoric.
He painted developmentalism as the first step on the road to communism and, by connecting developmentalist governments to the USSR, tarred them in the minds of American citizens. After its democratically elected leader, Mohammad Mossadegh, became a stalwart of the developmentalist movement, Iran became Eisenhower’s first target. – The Age of the Coup
I recently read some of the books about those disgusting brothers to understand that period, they certainly mixed their business interests with their state responsibilities. They equated the national interest to that of their legal clients. Before then I didn't fully know what an imperialist piece of work Eisenhower was as well.
great overview roger.. it is quite a sad history in fact.. i have followed this somewhat casually from the 70's, and always knew the role of the cia and friends, meddling in the affairs of south america.. so much of it revolves around the role of the imf, world bank, and oligarchs both inside and from abroad..
you have a typo very early in your article - how dare ex-salves - ex slave is what you want to say.. cheers james
Fixed the typo, thankyou.
When President Eisenhower took office in 1953, he took a decisive stand against developmentalism, which he regarded as a threat to America's commercial interests. Ike brought two men into his administration who shared his views: John Foster Dulles as Secretary of State, and his brother, Alan, to head the CIA. The lawyer brothers had represented J. P. Morgan, the Cuban Sugar Cane Co., and United Fruit - the very companies that stood to lose from developmentalism.
Eisenhower knew it would be difficult to justify attacking a movement that was so obviously rooted in the principles of equality, justice and independence so, to get the American public onside, he drew heavily on Cold War rhetoric.
He painted developmentalism as the first step on the road to communism and, by connecting developmentalist governments to the USSR, tarred them in the minds of American citizens. After its democratically elected leader, Mohammad Mossadegh, became a stalwart of the developmentalist movement, Iran became Eisenhower’s first target. – The Age of the Coup
I recently read some of the books about those disgusting brothers to understand that period, they certainly mixed their business interests with their state responsibilities. They equated the national interest to that of their legal clients. Before then I didn't fully know what an imperialist piece of work Eisenhower was as well.
Ike was a serious war criminal, too. An odd mixture..
An invaluable resource - thank you.