History of Latin America Part 1: Called America's 'Backyard' [Modern History] #380
Imagine if a neighbor suddenly started rearranging your garden without asking. How does a powerful nation treat its neighbor and expand its influence? In this episode, a former high school social studies teacher carefully unravels the origin story of how America came to call Latin America its 'backyard' and even gained the right to treat it like its own property.
The origins of why Latin America was called a 'backyard'.
The Monroe Doctrine, issued by U.S. President Monroe, was a strong message rejecting European interference in the Americas. While it ostensibly advocated for mutual non-interference, in reality, it was a diplomatic strategy to eliminate threats to the United States. This declaration became the foundation that would later justify American intervention in Latin America.
There was a drama behind the construction of the Panama Canal.
In the 1900s, the Theodore Roosevelt administration implemented 'Big Stick diplomacy,' increasing intervention in Latin American countries. The U.S. pushed forward with plans to build a canal, but at the time, Panama was under Colombian rule, making the project difficult. What was the surprising action the U.S. took? The story behind the independence movement, shared midway through the episode, is truly gripping. Please listen to the full episode to hear the rest.
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