Smart Student
October 14, 2009
4 Giannosa
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“The Gluttonous Goat”
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Dictatorships proliferated in Latin America after the 19th century wars of independence as
a result of the perpetuation of colonial practices. This shift enabled dictators- strong,
charismatic, and militaristic men- to seize power. Traditionally, dictator’s political ideology
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enforces or enhances nationalism. Ironically, Latin American dictators defy this description due
to their lack of a significantly developed political ideology. Typically, Latino dictator’s personal
dogma inflates their power and wealth while simultaneously suppressing nationalism; as a result,
Latino dictators resemble tyrannies.1 Critical to sustaining power was forming an alliance with
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powerful foreign nations, as in the case of Dominican Republic tyrant Rafael Trujillo. Trujillo’s
barbarous regime was sustained through the manipulation of US Containment policy and
corporate/financial greed.2
Footnote superscript number. Go to Reference and insert footnote
Structurally, 20th century Latin governments reflect democracy. Constitutions define
individual civil liberties, balance governmental power, and call for Latin American’s
participation in free elections to support popular sovereignty. Unfortunately, 20th century Latin
American institutions and practices are merely window dressing providing validity to corrupt
governments. The false trappings eliminate misgivings and potential interference from foreign
nations. Ironically, foreign nations are aware of these hypocritical regimes, but choose to ignore
reality to elevate their nation’s financial and ideological interests. The United States (US) and
Dominican Republic tyrant Rafael Leonidas Molina Trujillo enjoyed this type of relationship
1
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Jesus Galindez, The Era of Trujillo, (Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 1973), 259-260.
2
David W. Dent, The Legacy of the Monroe Doctrine: A Reference Guide to U.S. Involvement in Latin
America and the Caribbean, (Westport: Greenwood Press, 1999), 136.
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bottom of the paper, just start typing.
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from 1930-1961.
The origins of Trujillo’s power began in 1823 with the establishment of US LatinAmerican policy. President James Monroe recognized the threat European nations posed to US
hegemony in the Atlantic States. As a result, he committed the US to a prolonged and invasive
course of action that provided a toehold for corrupt-de-facto regimes in Latin America. The year
1823 was pivotal for the development of intervention policy in Latin America. Fear of European
re-colonization (specifically France and Russia) of Latin America prompted the development of
the Monroe Doctrine. The Doctrine pledged support to Latin American countries to combat the
threat of imperialistic nations.3
Latin American nations frequently defaulted on European loans in the 20th century.
Consequently, foreign nations (led by Germany) threatened occupation of nations in default.
European encroachment jeopardized US hegemony in the western hemisphere. To combat this
President Theodore Roosevelt manipulated the spirit of the Monroe Doctrine with the 1904
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to combat the threat. Roosevelt’s doctrine ushered
in the era of the “Big Stick” advocating US confiscation of Latin American customhouse receipts
to ensure payment of European loans. “Big Stick” diplomacy set a precedent of US military
occupation and political manipulation of Latin America.4
F.M. Huntington, Assistant Secretary of State, during the Taft administration, developed
Dollar Diplomacy and Social Darwinism. Taft established US General Receiverships
guarantying Dominican loans; thus, US corporations paid European loans as investments
expecting future financial returns. Huntington used Social Darwinism to rationalize US policy.
3
James Monroe, “Monroe Doctrine,” Latin America and the US: A Documentary History, ed. Robert H.
Holden and Eric Zolov, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 11-14
Theodore Roosevelt, “The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine,” Latin America and the US: A
Documentary History, ed. Robert H. Holden and Eric Zolov, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 100-101
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Being the strongest nation in the Atlantic States obligated the US to protect its sister American
nation’s material assets theorized Huntington. As a result, diplomatic and economic assistance
was extended to Latin nations causing the US to shift from traditional colonialism to neoimperialism. “And this course is the best in the long run, for all concerned and for the world…”5
Unfortunate and shockingly presumptuous, Huntington’s perspective was not unique. The
underlying message in US policy supported US superiority over its southern neighbors by
creating economic dependency that retarded Latin American political development.
Careful consideration of the US’s underlying motives must be given in matters relating to
the Dominican Republic. For example, the US sought to control the Dominican sugar industry
by supporting democratically inclined regimes.
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These periodic democratic outbursts, however, have been characterized by
numerous contradictions. U.S. policy makers encouraged democracy only
when geopolitical security interests were not imperiled. The promotion of
democracy was ultimately a tactical means to defend strategic and
economic interests.6
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Strategically located in the Caribbean, the Dominican allowed easy access to important trade
routes enhancing US export activity. Most importantly, a democratic Dominican provided the
US with a strategic ally in their fight against communism. 7
F.M. Huntington, “Dollar Diplomacy, and Social Darwinism,” Latin America and the US: A
Documentary History, ed. Robert H. Holden and Eric Zolov, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 118
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6
Michael R. Hall, Sugar and Power in the Dominican Republic: Eisenhower, Kennedy, and the Trujillo’s,
(Westport: Greenwood Press, 2000), 36.
7
Jonathan Hartley, The Struggle for Democratic Politics in the Dominican Republic, (Chapel Hill:
University of North Carolina Press), 36-37.
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