Beneath the United States: A History of U.S. Policy toward Latin America

by Schoultz

In this sweeping history of United States policy toward Latin America, Lars Schoultz shows that the United States has always perceived Latin America as a fundamentally inferior neighbor, unable to manage its affairs and stubbornly underdeveloped.

This perception of inferiority was apparent from the beginning. John Quincy Adams, who first established diplomatic relations with Latin America, believed that Hispanics were "lazy, dirty, nasty...a parcel of hogs." In the early nineteenth century, ex-President John Adams declared that any effort to implant democracy in Latin America was "as absurd as similar plans would be to establish democracies among the birds, beasts, and fishes."

Drawing on extraordinarily rich archival sources, Schoultz, one of the country's foremost Latin America scholars, shows how these core beliefs have not changed for two centuries. We have combined self-interest with a "civilizing mission"--a self-abnegating effort by a superior people to help a substandard civilization overcome its defects. William Howard Taft felt the way to accomplish this task was "to knock their heads together until they should maintain peace," while in 1959 CIA Director Allen Dulles warned that "the new Cuban officials had to be treated more or less like children." Schoultz shows that the policies pursued reflected these deeply held convictions.

While political correctness censors the expression of such sentiments today, the actions of the United States continue to assume the political and cultural inferiority of Latin America. Schoultz demonstrates that not until the United States perceives its southern neighbors as equals can it anticipate a constructive hemispheric alliance.

Genres: History, Politics, Latin American History, Nonfiction, International Relations, American History, American

496 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written discussion of the United States' relation to the countries and people south of the US Southern Border. You will discover racism, support of corporate enterprise, interventions, and some seriously horrific behavior. US policy during my life has been clear. Control. Keep the communists and anyone else out. All allow the people who support the US to stay in power, remove those who resist US influence and desire. A quagmire.

[AskHistorians]

This book examines US foreign policy in Latin America. In it, Schoultz convincingly argues that underlying American involvement in Latin America over the last two centuries was a deep sense of superiority and implied racism. Despite the challenging topic, Schoultz writes with a readable and accessible style which is easily accessible by laypeople and specialists alike. Perhaps after reading, you will have a better understanding of why anti-American sentiment remains strongly ingrained in Latin American discourses.

[Oscar Contreras · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a potentially interesting book, claiming to combine a realistic with a cultural approach to explain US policies towards Latin America. Sadly, what the author claims to do and what he actually does are two different things. The book fails to connect the especific policies implemented by the US to its leadership's cultural attitude towards Latin America. Instead, it does a good job documenting the extreme racism displayed by a long list of US politicians since the early 19 century. The book is also disorganized and full of shaky, hand-waving arguments, as well as multiple, not very subtle attempts by the author to "protect the reputation" of some of the US historical figures mentioned (reflecting a lack of academic rigour and maybe intellectual dishonesty). Overall an unpleasant surprise, given that the author appears to be a well-respected historian.

[Johnsonk5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beneath the US is a rich and detailed history of US policy towards Latin America. It documents both the policies and their often racist motivations. The book is incredibly dense and full of confusing political wonkery but for the most part it's pretty readable.
As one reads the lengthy history of US-Latin American policies, it becomes clear that history is repeating itself. A failure of politicians in the US to realize the root causes of the instability in Latin America leads us all to think lesser of an entire race of people. This is an incredibly important book for the modern day and those looking to understand the complicated history of the countries beneath the US should definitely check this out.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed summary of USA policy toward its southern neighbors.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stronger on the 19th century than the 20th, but still an excellent overview of the sordid history of the United States' relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean (Haiti).

[Pauline Kusiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too dry for what I was looking for. I found El Norte to be better summary of both history and northern condescension of our hemispheric neighbors. This one thorough but also bit repetitive.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a class, but very good in understanding the relationship and history of the United States and America

[Дёклинн · Rating 1 out of 5]

who's here reading this book with david garrett???????

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a Latin American History Course. I found it fascinating, it discusses how the US has misused its influence in Latin America.

[Miguel Iglesias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lectura obligada para entender las relaciones internacionales entre EE.UU y América Latina; y muy documentado.

[F Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly readable account of U.S. policy toward Latin America from James Monroe and John Quincy Adams to the Clinton administration. The world would be a better place if every American read this.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for undergrad