Guatemala's Coffee Revolution and Political Upheaval

This chapter examines Guatemala's shift from small-scale farming to large coffee plantations after independence, highlighting the exploitation of indigenous people and the powerful influence of the United Fruit Company. It discusses political reforms and the transition from military dictatorship to democracy, emphasizing the reforms introduced by Juan Jose Arevalo's administration. The chapter also addresses the tension between social progress and resistance from elite and foreign interests, setting the stage for the 1954 coup.