The struggle for power in Chile was influenced by the Cold War. In 1970, Salvador Allende, a Marxist, was elected President …show more content…
There was also a Nicaraguan Revolution, which marked a significant period in Nicaraguan history. Because of the revolution, the country was revealed as one of the major war battlegrounds of the Cold War. During these periods, the FSLN, a Leftist collection of political parties, and the Contras, a rightist collection of counter-revolutionary groups, received large amounts of aid from the Soviet Union and the United States. This allowed both parties to grow financially. The Sandinista government faced economic problems stemming from the United States’ economic support. Sandino, who was the main influence of the Sandinistas, pursued Nicaraguan independence from U.S. imperialism. The Sandinistas were upset the United States was constantly involvement in Nicaraguan affairs, but because the U.S. financially supported them, they continued to get …show more content…
national security, Eisenhower approved the first-ever secret military action in Latin America. It aimed overthrow Arbenz in favor of a U.S. selected leader and intended to a warning to the Soviets that the American government would not tolerate the spread of communism. After one year of preparation, U.S. backed troops invaded Guatemala. Realizing his army had abandoned him, Arbenz resigned as president. The U.S.-chosen leader, Carlos Castillo Armas, assumed control of the government. This ensured the promotion of American interests in Guatemala. Guatemala was aiming for independence, so America restating some control may have resulted in citizens being unsatisfied in the results. The Cold War altered Latin America 's relationship to the United States profoundly because the region became a battleground between capitalism and communism. The USSR and United States competed for influence in Latin America. The United States involved themselves in the domestic affairs of every Latin American state, attempting either to strengthen cooperative governments or to weaken ones that demonstrated independence. Because of this, political, economic, social, and cultural developments were