This chapter examines the role of Latin America in the Cold War. It explains that Latin America did not play a significant independent role in the Cold War and largely served as a symbol whereby communist adversaries could attempt to tilt the bipolar balance of power. It discusses how Latin America's military became the U.S. government's vehicle for meeting the communist challenge and highlights America's fear that Moscow-directed local communists would consolidate their strength among important social groups, especially labor unions, and eventually seize power at a propitious moment. Thus,...

This chapter examines the role of Latin America in the Cold War. It explains that Latin America did not play a significant independent role in the Cold War and largely served as a symbol whereby communist adversaries could attempt to tilt the bipolar balance of power. It discusses how Latin America's military became the U.S. government's vehicle for meeting the communist challenge and highlights America's fear that Moscow-directed local communists would consolidate their strength among important social groups, especially labor unions, and eventually seize power at a propitious moment. Thus, the U.S policy focus for Latin America turned to military aid.