How the US Plundered Central America
Also called small wars, these expeditions influenced the development of Marine Corps tactics and counterinsurgency strategies for future conflicts. Despite the name, these actions were not officially undertaken with bananas in mind but under the pretense of restoring stability. Evidence suggests these invasions and occupations were motivated by protecting American businesses, exerting financial and military control in the region, and keeping European influence away from the continent. Justifications for the Banana Wars Keep Off! The Monroe Doctrine must be respected by Victor, 1896. Source: Library of Congress James Monroe first outlined a principle for US dominance of the region in the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. He implored European countries not to further colonize the Western Hemisphere and to respect it as America’s region of influence. In 1904, European powers threatened war against Central American nations such as Venezuela to collect debts. President Theodore Roosevelt then proclaimed the Roosevelt Corollary to the existing Monroe Doctrine. He stated the United States could use military force to compel countries in the Americas to pay their debts. …
