"Guatemala as Cold War History” by Richard H. Immerman: An Analysis

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Recommended: Immerman, Richard H. “Guatemala as Cold War History.” New York Times

Eventually, Jorqe Ubico was replaced with Juan Jose Arevalo under democratic due process in 1944. Arevalo was “unlike his predecessors, and for that matter his successors… a civilian intellectual who had spent most of his adult life teaching at the University of Tucuman in Argentina. His publications on the psychology of development and the concept of social integration were well known throughout Latin American academic circles.” Arevalo’s political viewpoint was clearly influenced by the concept of social integration, arguing that “democracy was a social, not an individual, system, and it was the government's responsibility to prevent particular interests from becoming obstacles to the needs and progress of society as a whole.” Of course, some might find this viewpoint aligns itself with socialist principles, dangerously close to communism in the eyes of the United States. Arevalo repeatedly pointed out that he was not a Marxist, however, believing in liberating nature of spiritual socialism, one that “protected personal interests without producing selfish antagonisms.”

As previously alluded to, extreme anti-Communist figures such as former Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs Spruille Braden did not trust the rather unknown Juan Arevalo. The State Departments requested a second opinion from the embassy in Argentina, which responded: "As far as are concerned the suspicions that might be had about Arevalo… anyone even reasonably well informed about his teachings, writings and general activities would be inclined to pass over such suspicions as being so utterly without foundation as to call for no response.” Arevalo’s Social Security and Health Care reforms further reinforced his liberal nature.

As it came time...

... middle of paper ...

...ommunism.

An actionable plan for invading Guatemala essentially fell in the United States’ lap when the President of Nicaragua, Anastasio Somoza, contacted ex-CIA chief Walter Bedell Smith to request US support to topple Jacobo Guzman (as did United Fruit lobbyist Tommy Corcoran). President Truman sent arms and finances. The operation quickly died, however, when faithful agents to the president discovered the plot and adjusted their defenses accordingly.

Works Cited

Immerman, R. H. Guatemala as Cold War History. Political Science Quarterly, 629. Retrieved May 4, 2014, from https://learn.uconn.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-762624-dt-content-rid-2584240_1/courses/1143-UCONN-LAMS-1190W-SECZ81-24116/guatemala%20cold%20war%281%29.pdf

Burns, E. B., & Charlip, J. A. (2007). Latin America: an interpretive history (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.

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