Stephen Kinzer Overthrow Sparknotes

Overthrow: An Exploration of American Intervention

In Stephen Kinzer’s Overthrow, centuries of American Intervention in foreign affairs is detailed and discussed. Three sections of the novel: The Imperial Era, Covert Actions, and Invasions speak of recurring patterns and themes throughout history in regards to American involvement. Kinzer suggests such actions were fueled by economic self-interest, ideologies, and the inherent belief that America is a force for good in the world. However, despite the obvious implications of American intervention, some would also say that the narrative weaved by Kinzer is far more complex than suggested.

Notably, the first example of American intervention mentioned is the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy in

1893. Which, according to Kinzer, marks the beginning of a longstanding regime change in the United States. Countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Nicaragua, and Honduras are discussed as well. Kinzer argues that whether it be overthrowing a current government or disposing of national leaders; America’s involvement in such countries was only self-serving and detrimental to each nation. Since these underdeveloped countries had vast untapped resources and opportunities which Americans hoped to gain access to. That being said, many American businesses did have a direct interest in the countries mentioned above. Examples being various sugar planters in Hawaii or United Fruit Company in most of South and Central America. However, others could also argue that America’s actions, whether seen as only self-serving, were not unusual, exceptional, or unbeneficial for other nations. In the grand scheme of things, America’s imperial era is not nearly as long or brutal as the majority of Europe’s that lasted for centuries longer. In places such as Cuba, the US even helped dispose of Spanish tyranny. Moreover, some countries are better off after US involvement; an example being South Korea who now enjoys a prosperous economic age, high standards of living, and political stability- years after the Korean War. When looking at that particular example, it is hard to find a clear cut way in which America benefited from the situation. As for whether these benefits outweigh the negative aspects for native life is debatable and the question itself is naturally contentious.
As the decades passed, America’s involvement phased into what is referred to by Kinzer as Covert Actions- which were usually directed by CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

In Overthrow, some of the CIA’s actions that brought massive destruction, death, and chaos to foreign countries are dissected. The disposing of Iranian leader Mohammed Mossadegh by Secretary of State John Dulles can only be described as unfounded and irrational. Which, as told by Kinzer, was a common thread in US foreign policy during the 50’s. Fueled by hate and fervor against communism- many nations faced the brunt force of US policy- by the hand of our leaders. All of which, was done legally and with authorization- sometimes encouragement from US Presidents. Such incidents are certainly blunders on behalf of the US. Although, what Kinzer fails to mention or recognize is instances where Covert Actions helped achieve ends which would never be possible otherwise. The Cold War was a turbulent time for the US and most of the world’s history. One country, the Ukraine- formerly a part of the Soviet Union, has an especially sordid past. The ethnic inhabitants, Ukrainians, suffered under Soviet oppression for many years and endured a man made famine- orchestrated by Stalin to suppress Ukrainian Resistance movements. Such an event, “Holodomor” which killed approx. 3 to 12 million people are considered by many countries to be a genocide. The US, while not directly intervening in warfare, did send agents to assist

the Ukraine Resistance movement. It was with the help of the US intelligence that Ukraine won its independence in July of 1990. Even after its independence, the transition of the Ukraine into a democratic state was considered an object of great importance. Total financial assistance is estimated at 2 Billion US Dollars. Contrary to popular belief, many of the CIA’s operations are quite benign and usually take the form of financial assistance. In this case, the US’s actions were anything but irrational or unfounded.
From here on, the rest of Overthrow discusses “US Invasions” and the consequences of American Exceptionalism.

The major driving force, in Kinzer’s view, is the extreme nationalism and ignorance that dominated US policies for many decades. American Exceptionalism is the belief that America is superb and by consequence should take on a responsibility role in the world. Moreover, that the US intentions are inherently good and any consequences of said actions whether disastrous or negative should be disregarded. America's actions in the Middle East are explored. In the case of Iraq, the disposal of Saddam Hussein and the manner in which the US inserted itself in the affair was uncoordinated and brash- the results being only greater discord in the nation. What Kinzer does not explore in Overthrow is some of the positive and noteworthy consequences of US intervention. In Iraq itself, the US made the protection of the ethnic group of native Kurdish people a primary concern; a group who was facing widespread oppression and genocide by the hand of Saddam Hussein. The same policies that devastated some countries also prevented air bombings and orchestrated facilitated evacuations for the Kurds. Perhaps the US’s intentions were misguided- but to reduce complex situations and history to such a black and white summary seems

inconceivable.
In conclusion, Overthrow brilliantly discusses how politics was largely shaped by the self-interest of individuals, industries, and nations. Or how any extreme form of one ideology may cause irrationality to dominate secular thought. By the same token, an overabundance of American Exceptionalism can encourage foolish and sometimes destructive behaviors. Although, conversely, history shows that America holds equally the capacity for charitable tendencies, instituting rational practices, and good will for other foreign lands or peoples. Whether one agrees with Kinzer’s views or not- all can hope that such harrowing histories- described in Overthrow will not be in vain. Perhaps America can learn from such experiences and will become unanimously deserving of the word exceptional even by global standards.