CIVI US Cours 2 GNP 23/09/2024 - PDF

**Cours 2 CIVI US** 23/09/2024 THE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY (1933 -- 1941) [INTRODUCTION] (41 = bc of beg of WW2 which changed everything.) We need to think about the main character F ROOSEVELT = 2nd cousin of THEODORE but DEMOCRATE. He had a strong interest in foreign pol' and wanted this US poli...

**Cours 2 CIVI US** 23/09/2024 THE GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY (1933 -- 1941) [INTRODUCTION] (41 = bc of beg of WW2 which changed everything.) We need to think about the main character F ROOSEVELT = 2nd cousin of THEODORE but DEMOCRATE. He had a strong interest in foreign pol' and wanted this US policy to evolve. He was a player in intellectual debate of the 1920s (wrote articles about it) when the us had a rather specific role in foreign policy. It had engineered the Versailles Treaty in 1919. Wilson had worked to create this Society of Nation but the US Senate refused to ratify this treaty so US = outside Soc of Nations; But at the same time, the US had become the leading economic power after WWI. So when the situation became tensed btw FR and GR over the payment of the reparations (GR supposed to pay money to FR but decided not to pay. FR threatened to occupy GB, did it and the US acted as a mediator in this dispute, telling FR and BG that they may have right over GR but you own us money so from now on = do what we tell you to do). US dictated what was going on in Europe. And under US diplomatic that treaties were signed. ROOS in the 1920s tried to offer a synthesis of this situation; US wanted to defend interests but at the same time wanted the US to follow internation laws. His ideas in term of foreign pol = not very clear. When he arrived in White House March 33, international relations, and diplomacy = not his main concerns. His main task =face the Great Depression so in 1933. ROOS = disinterest. = Rather an isolationist climate with the Senate at the time. 1935, a senator = investigated why the US went into WWI = conclusions = the US bc of the influences by the bankers, corporations make weapons = that it would be better in US to avoid being involved in European Affairs. Fear of becoming involved in Foreign Affairs. HW, when you read the inauguration address = we have this short foreign policy passage = mentioned expression "being a good neighbor" = already used by HOOVER. ROOS recycled it. The question: **How important a turning point 1933 happened to be for the US LA relations?** **Was it a cosmetic change or was it substantial?** 1. A. A Secondary Concern in Times of Domestic Crisis B. General Principles C. Application to Latin America 2. A. Importance of American Investments in Latin America B. Trade and Tariffs in Times of Crisis C. Peace and Security in the Western Hemisphere 3. A. Cuba: Ruling from Backstage B. Nicaragua: Making Friend with Somoza C. The Dominican Republic: Hiding Trujillo's Crimes D. Mexico: Dealing with Cardenas' Nationalization Policies 1. **FDR, Foreign Policy and the Good Neighbor Policy** A. [A Secondary Concern in Times of Domestic Crisis] Worst Eco crisis ever = GREAT DEPRESSION ROOSEVELT = challenged. \- ¼ of Americans = unemployed. \- Overproduction crisis. \- financial structures about to crash. So = immediate reaction needed. Hence the frenetic laws... Only domestic policy, no US foreign policy. It was paradoxical, the US country out of Society of Nations but remained essential player. Settled the War questions in Europe. But clearly there was something te do with LA. US = several failures in 20s, ex Nica and a growing ANTI-AMERICAN feeling = expressed. B. [General Principles] We hear about the good Neighbor Pol in the Inauguration address = short passage / very vague. = we will act as the neighbor = **respect international law and will only intervene if we are asked to.** No elements on the Society of Nations. If the US tried to come back or not? What appears in this 1^st^ entrance of the GNP = **desire for the US to be differentiated from the European powers**. [ROOSEVELT does not want to be perceived as a colonial force]. He wants the US to be considered differently. C. [Application to Latin America] 1^st^ there would be evacuations; marines stationed in Cuba and Nica = moved out and brought back to the US. And **ROOSEVELT pledged that there would be no more interventions**. He received the Gov of these countries to reassure them that they will not be dealing with their affairs. And the **ROOS admi tried to relaunch pan-Americanism**. Ex: Nov 1933 = **PANAMERICAN CONFERENCE** organized in Montevideo URUGUAY US wanted to discuss free trade, to improve economic situation of the US; Whereas many LA countries had other demands = they were hoping that the US would help them improve their situation with their debts. But they wanted the US to stop intervening in their affairs espe ARGENTINA (= the role of South American Leader.) So, to placate the LA countries the US SoS HULL decided concessions = said that no LA countries should fear a US intervention. **One EXCEPTION**: [US would intervene if US citizens or PROPERTY were threatened.] And for a few years = seems that US following Troops out of Haiti New treaty signed with CUBA And eventually, ROOSEVELT himself went to Argentina in 1936 and said that he confirmed he would not intervene anymore. **NONINTERVENTION** became the most important principle of the GNP = meant that the US considered the other LA countries as EQUALS. Meant = LA countries should trust the US With LA countries insisting on nonintervention; desire to be free. BTW 1933-36, we see the US diplomacy slowly accepting that state of affairs. Not able to rule LA as they used to. They would have to find other means to do so. The ROOS admi wanted to defend US investments, free trade and peace. COURS 3: 30/09/2024 4. A. [Importance of American Investments in Latin America] The symbol = Panama CANAL, cost several billions and took 10 years to complete. After WW1, the US continued to invest massively in the W-Hem. And if you take tog all private inve in agri, mining oil, in LA = represented about 2/3 of all US money out of the US (went to LA). Some US corporations became central players: **Cuba** = punta allegre sugar company In **Cent Am** = Hershey Chocolate In **Caribbeans** = UFC = developed its banana plantations and gained a big influence in CR, Hund, GUATELMALA... But US investments touched on mining: corporations controlled by the GUGGENHEIN BROTHERS with major players in Mexico and Chili, and US corpo also present in Mex and Peru to exploit oil. Many LA also relied on US corporations on infrastructures, railroad, telephone, and telegraph were created and cared by ITT; and eventually many LA countries relied on US banks for credits such as.... Morgan and National City Bank. Concerning the UFC = by the 30s the Company had to adapt. The company had often relied on imported work force coming from the West Ind = created tension with the local governments. During the 30s, often the leaders of UFC had to negotiate to calm social protest and to modify the composition of their work force (they had to pledge to hire local workers). B. [Trade and Tariffs in Times of Crisis] In the aftermath of crash at the beg of Great Dep, the HOOVER admi and the Republicans in Congress, wanted to protect US jobs. Their initial reactions = increase tariffs. If you raise tariffs = introduce protectionism= the prod imported in your country = become + expensive and so less attractive to your own customers and = [good source of revenue]. In 1931, **Congress** passed a high tariff law = Smoot and Hawley Tariffs. That tariff with other protectionist measures had very fast and bad consequences for international trade. For W. Hem = dreadful consequences = many LA exports became much more expensive (ex: sugar CUBA, coffee BRAZIL...) and many US customers struggling from G. Dep. In the following months, many countries retaliated vs the US, so LA could also increase tariffs. So, when ROOS arrived, they understood that the question of trade was important. And LA also complained = wanted no intervention + have the capacity to sell their prod to the US market. 1934 = Congress changed that tariff policy and passed the **reciprocal RTAA** = imp bc moves away from this general tariff applies to every country and **it says that the Pres is going to negotiate reciprocal agreements with each country** = thus giving ROOS the possibility to rebuild the ties with LA. So, generally ROOS said = will open our market and welcome gain Cuban sugar and Brazilian coffee and in exchange we expect open market from LA partners. The 2^nd^ important decision ROOS had to take = DEBTS. ROOSEVELT admi aware that LA countries = in no position to be able to pay off their debts. So, they also used this as a tool against LA countries = deal = they can repay in the next 10,20 years but on the other hand expect trade relations. Even though part of Admi = not happy wanted to collect this money from South Am, ROOS and state department = no "it can wait" what is important = open market. C. [Peace and Security in the Western Hemisphere] Combi of all these efforts occurred by the end of 1936. There were a umber of interAmer conf before that; the US diplomats talked about Hemispheric solidarity (helping LA countries with their crisis). And envetually Dec 1936, ROOSEVELT traveled INDIANAPOLICE = visited BR, URU, ARG = inter-American conference for maintenance of peace. The international context = worse than 1933 =: Japan had begun invasion of China Fascist Italy has attacked Ethiopia in Africa In Europe = Hitler violating Versailles Treaty and CIVIL WAR in Spain = Franco attacking LA. F. ROOSEVELT in a position of strength = just reelected. He wanted to convince the US people to play a more important role in foreign affairs. But at the same time, the US is outside of all the international institutions at that time. So, ROOSEELT [used this LA trip] and several speeches (ex: Montevideo) to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the W Hem would be a region of peace were borders and sovereignty would be respected and security insured. In that conference F. ROOSEVELT said that he wanted "to set an example to the whole world by proclaiming the new spirit and a new day." He put together the traditional US agenda of free trade on the continent with the Agenda of Liberalism; and encouraged all the other LA countries to adhere to the democratic process and defend the political freedom and to respect the rights of other nations. He made clear that for him peace and prosperity = based on free trade. The US pledged to renounce to any military intervention. CONF = SUCCESS for US diplomacy; 11 treaties were signed, and 62 resolutions and declarations voted. For the 1^st^ time = a security agreement! For all nations in the W Hem was signed. By 1938, ROOSEVELT could legitimately celebrate his achievement of NBP = it had led to a dramatic improvement of the LA-US relations. "I think I can say that that our neighbors and Cen and South Am had probably regarded from resentment and suspicion" (resentment bc some of our armed activities in the past and suspi = bc imperialism based on strength). The Goal = change how US = seen by LA countries bc of ANTI-AMERICANISM. The official mantra = thanks to GNP they had entered a new era "characterized by confidence and mutual powerfulness?????" D. A. [Cuba: Ruling from Backstage] The US waged war against Spain to help guarantee CUBAN independence; debates abt what to do with CUBA? **TELLER AMEDMENT** = only protectory By early 1930s = the US had moved most of his troops out of CUBA. But island = remained critical US investment. Many sugar plantations belonged to US corpo and + and + tourism (casinos...) island close to Florida = attracted). But Cuban society was extremely unequal, featured deep social and racial divisions and had a hard time agreeing on any Government. **Succession of COUPS and political instability.** **Btw summer 1933 and Jan 1934 = Cuba went through 5 different presidents**. In Sept 1933 = **COUP** = General MACHADO and gave some power to President R. GRAU. GRAU and his followers wanted to change Cuban Society suffering from Dep. GRAU had an important social agenda: Wanted to increase the mini wage [Nationalize some corporations] Regulate the economy. **these policies directly threatened the US interests**. So had this **COUP** occurred 20 years before = US would have intervened military. This happened just a few months after the announcement of the new Pol; = ROOSEVELT and HULL SoS decided to act more discreetly. Sent Benjamin SUMNER WELLES (US ambassador in CUBA) to Havana = his task was to solve the political. The major tool used by **US diplomacy = refused to recognize GRAU's elections** = saying the could not be trusted, he lacked the approval of the people of that republic. By not recognizing = US refused to normalize trade relations (espe question of sugar = central for the Cuban economy). Meanwhile, SUMNER WELLES worked in the political scene and eventually found what the US would consider the right candidate = chose F. BATISTA; he had influence in the army. By Jan 13^th^ 1934 Batista deposed R. GRAU and established a puppet president = C. MENDIETA ([but real power still BATISTA]) BATISTA quickly obtained the recognition by US and a new treaty = \- which abrogated the **PLAT AMENDMENT** and its shameful authorization of US intervention. - - Extended loans to the islands and increased CUBA's sugar quotas in the Americas. \- reciprocal trade agreement signed btw WASHINGTON AND HAVANA. This example showed how **[the US defended its interest in CUBA without direct military intervention]**. It found a strawman to do its job. B. [Nicaragua: Making Friend with Somoza] **NICARAGUA** features many US investments, espe UFC banana plantations but NICA was in the middle of a CIVIL WAR 1926-27. The US had intervened militarily in NICA and the marines worked to create a functioning republic in NICA. And tried to repress the rebellion of A. SANDINO. So, 1932 HOOVER = decided that this mission in NICA should end. 3 elections in a row in NICA and functioning institutions seemed to be in place. There were still glaring inequalities in the country and feeling an ANTI-AMERICANISM; but at least the situation was calm. By FEB 1933; the former leader A. SANDINO signed a peace treaty with the Gov'; but in 1934, as SANDINO was being accused of being communist = several military officers organized his **murder**. **the US did nothing**. By 1936, a general SOMOZA seized power in the country. He organized elections and through fraud = elected president of Nica. Nicaraguan constitution = reformed and granted SOMOZA most of the powers. So, everything US tried to build in the country = destroyed. The US state dep recognized SOMOZA's regime bc very compliant to US interests. ROOSEVELT asked about SOMOZA "SOMOZA is a son of bitch but he is our son of a bitch" C. [The Dominican Republic: Hiding Trujillo's Crimes] On the eastern side of the island = **DOMINICAN REPUBLIC** = R. TRUJILLO established as a dictator as early as 1930 His raise occurred after 10 years of the US occupation and the creation of a modern international army. = growing tensions btw Haiti and DR. Part of this tensions = about legacy of slavery many **Haitians** had moved to the DR as workers (for the sugar plantations); would speak creole, voodoo as religion Whereas the **Dominicans** = Catholics and owners of the land. So, part of TRUJILLO's power and legitimacy had to do with the nativist and xenophobic policies. [He wanted to stop immigration from Haiti]. He wanted to expel black Haitians and tried a certain number of policies = quotas, special taxes to discourage them; but by [1937 his army turned to violence] = thousands of Haitians = forced out the DR; hundreds of them murdered by army using machetes... Massacres no secret = reported by the US press... and the ROOSEVELT knew what was going on = **NO INTERVENTION** occurred; but instead = **diplomatic pressure** to avoid a full-fledged war btw Haiti and the DR. D. [Mexico: Dealing with Cardenas' Nationalization Policies] In **MEXICO**, the situation was very different. Mex = much bigger country and there would be no intervention (last one under WILSON = disaster). By the late 1930s, the ROOSEVELT admi remained generally passive when President CARDENAS led a transformative term in his country. In Mex = one 6-year term but CARDENAS was elected on a platform inspired by the New Deal; and part of that platform was to nationalize several industries in the energy sector (electricity, oil...) and to guarantee MEX land = owned by MEXICANS. Under his leadership, the **Mex gov nationalized several corporations and passed a law that made it illegal for non-Mexicans to own land in the country**. Both measures irritated many US investors who complained to the ROOS but ROOS did not choose confrontation with CARDENAS. It negotiated for many months and eventually, the Americans who had lost their property in Mex = **compensated**. **CONCLUSION** Clearly a change of tone from the US; HW it began before ROOSEVELT. He advertised it more and his diplomacy, state department and himself invested a lot of time to reconcile many LA countries which felt threatened by US imperialism. This policy aimed at concealing contradictory? The US would continue to protect its eco interests, would continue to try and establish free trade and would claim to defend values of freedom and Human Rights and Peace. Even though most of the time, the US accommodated the rise of autocrats and dictators in the region. It is very important: to have this fact = if comment on doc of this period bc you will often hear presidents, state depart and diplomats, journalists, talk about sister republics in America and the great spirit that existed btw the US and other countries = DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THIS RHETORIC often the US stopped trying to create democracies in those countries. - Prepared during the Hoover presidency, the "Good Neighbor Policy" was truly implemented under President Roosevelt. - The United States abandoned its policy of military intervention and withdrew its armed forces from most occupations sites in the Caribbean or Central America. - President Roosevelt worked at reconciliation and trust with Latin American leaders while trying to keep a comparable influence in most places.