Perceptions of Pan-Americanism: U.S.-Latin American Relations c. 1900-1945

In light of the current shift in Latin American politics (the Pink Tide), this thesis looks to analyse the role of Pan-Americanism in U.S. foreign policy in the first half of the 20th century. It argues that rather than possessing a genuine belief in the principles of Pan-Americanism, U.S. leaders (namely Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt) used a Pan-American rhetoric to further the overarching policy goals of extending political and economic dominance over Latin America. It also argues that the American appropriation and misuse of the Pan-American movement in the 20th century is responsible for the current exclusion of the United States from new regional organisations such as CELAC, which are primarily designed to emancipate the Latin American states from U.S. guardianship. The thesis begins by offering an insight into the current political developments in Latin America and then gives a history of the Pan-American movement from its Bolivarian origins to the Americanisation of the movement in the late 19th century. The largest part of the thesis presents a comparative study between Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, two presidents that adopted a clear Pan-American rhetoric to justify their Latin American policies. Primary research was conducted that revealed a continuity in policy goals but differing levels of success in achieving them. There were differences too in the rhetoric used by both men. Roosevelt had a much more well-developed rhetoric and achieved greater success because of this. Wilson appeared to be more rooted in 19th century ideas of manifest destiny and a civilising mission, leaving his rhetoric and his action less appealing to Latin Americans. Roosevelt dealt diplomatically with Latin Americans as equals (at least on the surface). The success of the two was measured by their ability to achieve economic and political goals. Both achieved economic growth, but Roosevelt laid stronger foundations for continued expansion in the post-war years. Roosevelt was also far more successful in achieving political goals. Political goals were generally to keep unwanted influences out of Latin America and cement the region as part of the United States’ sphere of influence. The goodwill that Roosevelt’s Good Neighbour Policy created showed itself when almost all of Latin America joined the Second World War after the United States were attacked at Pearl Harbour. To summarise, this thesis argues that Pan-Americanism was used to justify the expansion of the economic and political power of the United States in Latin America. Though this was successful in the short term, it has had lasting effects on the nature of U.S.-Latin American relations. Today, Latin American integration efforts appear to be reviving original Bolivarian ideas of Pan-Americanism and the United States has itself to blame for its exclusion from this movement.