Dan Snow's History Hit U.S. Interventions in Latin America and Beyond
9 snips
Jan 12, 2026 
Join historian Daniel Immerwahr, author of 'How to Hide an Empire,' as he explores the U.S.'s long history of intervention in Latin America. From the Monroe Doctrine to Cold War tactics, he covers how U.S. presidents justified actions as protection while exerting control through military and economic power. Immerwahr highlights key events like the 1954 Guatemala coup, the 1989 Panama invasion, and the aftermath of U.S.-backed regimes, revealing patterns of influence and instability that continue to affect the region today.
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Monroe Doctrine Was Not Initially A Policy
- The Monroe Doctrine began as a presidential message, not an enforceable law.
- It only later got recast as US authority over the Western Hemisphere by leaders like Teddy Roosevelt.
The US Sought A New Frontier Abroad
- After domestic expansion the US sought new 'frontiers' abroad and adopted imperial behaviors.
- Roosevelt and others argued US power should actively manage neighboring regions rather than merely avoid European rivals.
Informal Empire: Control Without Annexation
- The US developed 'informal empire' to control countries without formal annexation.
- It seized economic and military levers like customs houses while leaving local politicians in place.
