Discussion Questions
- Do you think that one of the mentioned reasons for US regime change efforts matters more than the others? Why? If so, which one?
- In what ways is US foreign policy today still built on the concepts discussed in this project?
- Do you think that US interventionism was inevitable? Why or why not?
- Was there any way for Latin American leaders who displeased the US to avoid being deposed through regime change? If so, how?
- Do you think that the US would have operated differently in Latin America without the Cold War? Why or why not?
- Do you see hope for a future break from the policy of interventionism?
- What are some of the ways that the history of regime change in Latin America effects the modern world?
- Do you think that the CIA still undertakes covert missions as described in the documents section to this day?
- How does the history of US intervention is Africa and Asia compare to its history of intervention in Latin America?
- What do you think about the argument that the US is an empire? Has it ever been one? It is one now?
Digital Resources
United States Department of State. “Milestones: 1969–1976 – Office of the Historian.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1969-1976/allende.
The database for State Department documents provides fascinating information on US foreign policy history.
Everett, Joshua. “Guides: Latin American Studies: Free Digital Resources.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://guides.library.jhu.edu/latin-american-studies/digital-resources.
This set of free digital sources on Latin American history maintained by Johns Hopkins is very well put together.
HISTORY. “Cold War.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war.
The History.com website maintains an easily accessible cold war timeline and map.
Council of the Americas. “Timeline: Evo Morales Resigns from the Bolivian Presidency.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://www.as-coa.org/articles/timeline-evo-morales-resigns-bolivian-presidency.
This article and timeline cover the political crisis that occurred in Bolivia in 2019, a reminder that the era of regime change is not completely over.
BBC News. “Guatemala Profile – Timeline.” BBC News, July 29, 2019, sec. Latin America & Caribbean. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19636725.
This timeline is specifically dedicated to Guatemalan history. Central America in generally understudied and discussed, so I am glad to have included information on the region in this project.