Figures in Latin American & US History

Names to Know

• William Walker: An American filibuster who led several private military expeditions into Latin America, with the intention of establishing English-speaking colonies under his personal control; he briefly became President of Nicaragua in the mid-1850s.

• Alfred Thayer Mahan: A U.S. naval officer and strategist whose book The Influence of Sea Power upon History (1890) advocated for a strong navy, control of sea lanes, and the establishment of naval bases, influencing U.S. foreign policy and naval expansion, particularly in Latin America and the Pacific.

• José Martí: A Cuban poet, essayist, and revolutionary leader who became a symbol of Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain; his writings and activism inspired the Cuban War of Independence and continue to resonate throughout Latin America.

• Cornelius Vanderbilt: An American business magnate who accumulated immense wealth through shipping and railroads; he sought to control transportation routes across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico.

• William McKinley: As U.S. President, his administration oversaw the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, significantly expanding U.S. influence in Latin America and the Pacific.

• General Valeriano Weyler: A Spanish general known as "The Butcher" for his brutal tactics in suppressing the Cuban independence movement, including the use of concentration camps; his actions fueled U.S. intervention in Cuba.

Filibuster

• Refers to private military expeditions or unauthorized military expeditions into foreign countries, especially in Latin America, with the goal of conquest or political disruption.

  • Figures like William Walker led filibuster expeditions, reflecting American expansionist ambitions and posing challenges to U.S. relations with Latin American nations.

Isthmus of Tehuantepec

• A narrow strip of land in Mexico representing a strategic location for transportation routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

  • Vanderbilt and others sought to control transportation routes across the isthmus, impacting U.S.-Mexico relations and broader geopolitical strategies.

Continental Treaty

• A proposed agreement or alliance among countries within a continent.

  • Often discussed in the context of Latin America to foster cooperation and counter external influences, including U.S. dominance.

Latin America

• Refers to the region of the Americas where Romance languages (derived from Latin) such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French are primarily spoken.

  • The U.S. has had a long and complex relationship with Latin America, marked by interventions, economic interests, and political influence, which has shaped the dynamics between the two.

Ten Years' War

• Also known as the Great War, it was an armed revolt in Cuba between 1868 and 1878 against Spanish rule.

  • It was a precursor to the Cuban War of Independence, which eventually led to U.S. intervention and the Spanish-American War.

Bidlack Treaty

• A treaty between the United States and New Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama) signed in 1846.

  • It granted the U.S. transit rights across the Isthmus of Panama in exchange for guaranteeing New Granada's sovereignty over the area.

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

• A treaty between the United States and Great Britain signed in 1850.

  • It aimed to neutralize Central America by stipulating that neither country would seek exclusive control over a canal in the region.
  • It reflected tensions and competition between the U.S. and Britain over influence in Central America.

Olney Memorandum

• A diplomatic note written by U.S. Secretary of State Richard Olney in 1895 regarding the Venezuela boundary dispute with Great Britain.

  • It invoked the Monroe Doctrine to assert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, signaling a more assertive U.S. foreign policy.

Ostend Manifesto

• A document written in 1854 by U.S. diplomats suggesting that the U.S. should acquire Cuba from Spain, by force if necessary.

  • It reflected expansionist desires and the influence of pro-slavery interests in the U.S.
  • It stirred controversy due to its aggressive tone and implications for U.S. foreign policy.

Teller Amendment

• An amendment to a U.S. declaration of war against Spain in 1898.

  • The amendment disclaimed any intention by the U.S. to annex Cuba.
  • It aimed to reassure the international community about U.S. motives in the Spanish-American War.

Treaty of Paris

• Signed by Spain and the United States of America in December 1898 in Paris, France.

  • It officially ended the Spanish-American War.
  • In this treaty, Spain ceded Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States.
  • Spain also sold the Philippines to the U.S. for US$\20 million.

Platt Amendment

• A rider appended to the Army Appropriations Act of 1901, which stipulated the conditions for U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs and permitted the U.S. to lease or buy lands for the purpose of establishing naval bases (most notably Guantánamo Bay) and coaling stations in Cuba.

  • It significantly limited Cuba's sovereignty and made it a virtual protectorate of the United States.
  • The amendment shaped U.S.-Cuba relations for decades.

Brief overview of William Walker, Alfred Thayer Mahan, José Martí, and Cornelius Vanderbilt's role. These individuals influenced events in Latin America. They played key roles in shaping political and economic landscapes.