The Banana Wars: United States Intervention in the Caribbean, 1898D1934 offers a sweeping panorama of Americas tropical empire in the age spanned by the two Roosevelts and a detailed narrative of U. S. military intervention in the Caribbean and Mexico. In this new edition, Professor Langley provides an updated introduction, placing the scholarship in current historical context. From the perspective of the Americans involved, the empire carved out by the banana warriors was a domain of bickering Latin American politicians, warring tropical countries, and lawless societies that the American military had been dispatched to police and tutor. Beginning with the Cuban experience, Langley examines the motives and consequences of two military occupations and the impact of those interventions on a professedly antimilitaristic American government and on its colonial agents in the Caribbean, the American military. The result of the Cuban experience, Langley argues, was reinforcement of the view that the American people did not readily accept prolonged military occupation of Caribbean countries. In Nicaragua and Mexico, from 1909 to 1915, where economic and diplomatic pressures failed to bring the results desired in Washington, the American military became the political arbiters; in Hispaniola, bluejackets and marines took on the task of civilizing the tropics. In the late 1920s, with an imperial force largely of marines, the American military waged its last banana war in Nicaragua against a guerrilla leader named Augusto C. Sandino. Langley not only narrates the history of Americas tropical empire, but fleshes out the personalities of this imperial era, including Leonard Wood and Fred Funston, U. S. Army, who left their mark on Cuba and Vera Cruz; William F. Fullam and William Banks Caperton, U. S. Navy, who carried out their missions imbued with old-school beliefs about their role as policemen in disorderly places; Smedley Butler and L. W. T. Waller, Sr. , U. S. M. C. , who left the most lasting imprint of American empire; and dozens of Caribbean and Mexican political figures caught up in Americas tropical experiment. Finally, the author speaks to current debates about unrest and conflict in the Caribbean with some disturbing reminders about earlier American experiences. A lively survey of a volatile period in inter-American relations, The Banana Wars is an excellent supplemental text for courses in Latin American history and U. S. -Latin American relations.
Understanding the Banana WarsLester D. Langley's book, The Banana Wars, gives us a deep insight into the complex history of U.S. military intervention in the Caribbean and Central America. It's a great read if you want to explore the political and economic dynamics of the region.
Impact of U.S. InterventionThe Banana Wars shows us how U.S. intervention has shaped the political, economic, and social landscape of the Caribbean and Central America. Langley's research helps us see the long-term effects of these interventions.
The Role of CorporationsLangley's book also sheds light on the role of American corporations in these conflicts. It's a fascinating look into how business interests can influence foreign policy and lead to military action.
Historical ContextThe Banana Wars provides a detailed historical context for understanding current issues in the region. If you're interested in the history of U.S. foreign policy, this book is a must-read.
Lessons for the FutureFinally, The Banana Wars offers valuable lessons for the future. By understanding the past, we can make better decisions in the future. Langley's book encourages us to learn from history and think critically about the role of the U.S. in the world.
