Concept information
Preferred term
American interventions in Central America and the Caribbean
Definition
- The United States has always been concerned about the well-being of its Central American and Caribbean neighbors, if only to safeguard its own interests. Although rarely concerning itself in the affairs of these countries prior to the 20th century, between 1900 and 1935 the United States dramatically increased its involvement in the region for three intertwined reasons: first, the strategic need to protect the Panama Canal from European hands, which meant keeping Europe out of the region altogether; second, the urge to spread Christianity and democratic values to nations that Americans perceived as backward and in need of political reform; third, the need to protect American economic interests throughout the region, especially as its investments in the region increased during those decades. [Source: Encyclopedia of War & American Society; Central America and the Caribbean, Interventions in]
Broader concept
Belongs to group
URI
https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/American_interventions_in_Central_America_and_the_Caribbean
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