SHELF 9780435183127 HISTORY PAPER 3 THE COLD WAR AND THE AMERICAS (1945-1981) STUDENT 60p

', It proposed to monitor the local communist parties which had been identified as
potential contributors to the expansion of Soviet ideology. Under direct or indirect
US influence, many countries in the region outlawed their communist parties. You
will read more about this later in the chapter.
. It proposed to persuade Latin American countries to cut offdiplomatic relations
with the USSR. By 1952, onlyMexico, Argentina and Uruguay maintained official
relations with the Soviet Union.
- It supported anti-communist governments in Latin America. This, in some cases,
implied the endorsement of dictators. As George F Kennan stated during a visit to
Rio de )aneiro in 1950, 'lt isbetter to haw a strong regime in power than a liberal govemment if
it is indulgent and relaxed andpenetratedby Communists;
" The CIA document also recommended the development of a Hemispheric Defense
Pact in preparation for potential conflicts with the USSR.
In a context in which the United States'foreign policy moved its focus away from
Latin America, it became important to set up a system of mutual defence in the region.
The United States saw it as an instrument of protection against direct or indirect
threats from the USSR. The Latin American countries, on the other hand, saw it more
as an opportunity to create region al organizations that would act in cases of conflicts
between countries in the region. They also expected these treaties would be a starting
point to bring back US economic assistance to the region.
There were also diplomatic and military pacts which aimed at securing the region
in the Cold War context. The Act of Chapultep ec of 1945, the Treaty of Reciprocal
Assistance, signed in1947, and the formation of the Organization of American States
(OAS) in 1948 are all examples of this.
These regional agreements were, to an extent, a continuity of the spirit of the Monroe
Doctrine in that they aimed at protecting the Americas against foreign interference,
onlythis time, a communist one.
The Monroe Doctrine
is one of the most
important documents
of US foreign poliry
Announced by President
James l\4onroe in a
speech to Congress on
2 December'1823, it
aimed at declaring the
American conti nent free
from European attempts
to colonize it. However,
the l\zlonroe Doctrine
has since been perceived
in Latin America as
a justification for US
rnvolvement rn the affairs
of Latin American states.
n groups, carry out research on
the reasons why the US resisted
the incorporation of Argentina
into rhe Unrred Natiors. Foc.rs
on the relationship between
these two countries during the
Second Wor d War.