History of U.S. Intervention in Central America

From the United Fruit Company in Guatemala, to the occupation of Haiti and the hundreds of assassination attempts on Fidel Castro.

From the United Fruit Company in Guatemala, to the occupation of Haiti and the hundreds... more

Curated byAnna Oakes, Hark Editor

7 CLIPS42 MINS

Clip 1 of 7

A Primer on US Policy: the Monroe Doctrine

In 1823, President Monroe articulated what became known as the Monroe Doctrine. The goal was to position the United States as the overseer of all of the Americas, in opposition to European colonial powers.

A Primer on US Policy: the Monroe Doctrine

Stuff You Missed in History Class

5 MINS

Clip 2 of 7

How the United States Punished Haiti for Gaining Independence

Anthropologist Mark Schuller follows the legacies of colonialism, slavery and US occupation in Haiti, and their influence on the country today.

How the United States Punished Haiti for Gaining Independence

Post Reports

5 MINS

Clip 3 of 7

United Fruit and the American "Octopus" in Guatemala

Business historian Geoffrey Jones tells the story of the US-backed coup that overthrew the democratically elected leader of Guatemala, with the support of United Fruit Company - which is now the banana company known as Chiquita.

United Fruit and the American "Octopus" in Guatemala

Cold Call

4 MINS

Clip 4 of 7

The 600 Assassinations Of Fidel Castro

The CIA tried at least 638 times to assassinate Fidel Castro: from exploding seashells to exploding cigars to poisoning his wetsuit.

Things You Don't Need to Know with Ari Cagan

7 MINS

Clip 5 of 7

Operation ‘Just Cause’ and the Invasion of Panama

In 1989, the United States invaded Panama to overthrow its repressive dictator, Manuel Noriega. Except Noriega had been propped up by the CIA, for decades, as an anti-communist watchdog. So things got a little messy.

Operation ‘Just Cause’ and the Invasion of Panama

Cutting Class

6 MINS

Clip 6 of 7

Puerto Rico’s Battle to Save Its Culture (and Cock Fighting)

Cock fighting is part of the culture in Puerto Rico, but a vote in Congress in late 2019 made it illegal. Code Switch looks at how the locals are not taking the ban lying down.

Puerto Rico’s Battle to Save Its Culture (and Cock Fighting)

Code Switch

6 MINS

Clip 7 of 7

When “Security” Means Militarization

Last summer, President Biden announced a plan to ensure “security and prosperity” in Central America. But historian Aviva Chomsky argues that Biden’s policy is a continuation of US intervention, and exploitation, in Latin America.

The Marc Steiner Show

6 MINS

Curated byAnna Oakes

7 CLIPS42 MINS

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History of U.S. Intervention in Central America

A Primer on US Policy: the Monroe Doctrine

Stuff You Missed in History Class

How the United States Punished Haiti for Gaining Independence

Post Reports

United Fruit and the American "Octopus" in Guatemala

Cold Call

The 600 Assassinations Of Fidel Castro

Things You Don't Need to Know with Ari Cagan

Operation ‘Just Cause’ and the Invasion of Panama

Cutting Class

Puerto Rico’s Battle to Save Its Culture (and Cock Fighting)

Code Switch

When “Security” Means Militarization

The Marc Steiner Show

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