US Imperialism in Latin America, 1776-1930. Part I.

 

For many people, the idea that the United States has always had a predatory relationship with Latin America is somewhat unnerving. However, from the earliest years of its political existence presidents, merchant houses, and other financial interests have been vying for the chance to exploit the natural resources and peoples of Latin America. What is more, the investments Americans made from the moment Latin American became "intensifying efforts on the part of American entrepreneurs to shape events in Latin America."[1] This was especially important as the United States moved away from an economy centered around smallholder farmers which did not pervade all of the lands settled by Americans at the turn of the nineteenth century to an economy that engaged in international commerce. At this time, the American South grew rice, tobacco, and indigo for an eye to sell on the international market, which meant that the merchants of the North were involved in promoting trade of these commodities.[2] Trade on the open market formed the largest vehicle for wealth creation at the start of the century.