T HE C HACO W AR Inter-American Defense and Fascists: Latin America in World War II.

THE CHACO WAR Inter-American Defense and Fascists: Latin America in World War II

A. THE CHACO WAR 1932-1935

BOLIVIAN FORTS IN THE CHACO

JUAN BELAIEFF

PARAGUAYAN TROOPS AT BOQUERON

MEDICAL CONTINGENT IN VILLARRICA PARAGUAY

PARAGUAYAN PRISONERS IN CHACO WAR

PARAGUAYAN SOLDIERS AWAITING DEPLOYMENT ABOARD SHIP ON PARAGUAY RIVER

B. LATIN AMERICA IN WORLD WAR II

Background Each nation responded in its own way to

WWII Some were more successful, some lost

opportunity US: saw L. Am. as similar and kindred, yet

also strange, exotic, and different US wanted to help L. Am., but couldn’t quite

figure out how to do that

C. US AND THE SOUTHERN CONE

De 1933, Montevideo, Sec. of St. Cordell Hull (G. N. Policy) agreed to abandon direct intervention, begin negotiations on reciprocal trade agreements

Great Depression The Nations that failed to reach an accord,

Chile and Argentina found negotiations unrewarding

US Congress strident protectionism, L. Am. nations were insulted

The reciprocal trade program damaged standing of US in L.Am.

D. INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

International events forced US to redefine G.N.P.

1935-36, fascism growing Not all L. Am. nations amenable, especially

when U.S. unwilling to sign trade agreements with Argentina for beef and grain

1936 Bs. As. meeting, Argentina challenged US leadership, insisted that L. Am. should not be controlled

E. WORLD WAR II

What most concerned the US in Latin America? -1940 US promoted general agreement Argentina opposed this, feared becoming US colonies  US anger with Argentina worsened following Pearl Harbor. At 1942 Foreign Ministers Conference in Rio Argentina Kept ambassadors in Germany, Italy, Japan  German trade w Argentina soared, but after 1939 shipping

collapsed  One concern for US was Chaco War Peace Conference b/w

Paraguay and Bolivia -Argentine Foreign minister, Carlos Saaverdra Lamas, stymied

negotiations Battle between espionage service of Alies and Axis 1939, number of US military attaches in L.Am. increased

  FDR used concern about L.Am. to aid United Kingdom Se. 1939, 53% US populace willing to send troops to defend

Chile or other nations

F. SOUTH AMERICAN RESPONSES TO WWII

Geography important Axis establishments Fascism was very attractive. Chile and

Argentina both had influential fascist party. Brazil Integralistas dressed in jackboots and

green, military style-shirts and openly admired Mussolini’s Italy.

BRAZILIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ITALY

SPECIFIC RESPONSES Wartime Trade: Miltiary Aid from the US: -Arg. and Chile received very little military aid, because neither followed US demand that they cut off dealings at all levels w Axis. --Juan Peron came to power partially by claiming he could redress this change in

military status.   Espionage and Axis Populations -Over 1 million Germans in Brazil, mostly southern Brazil -Chile had large and economically important German Population -Peru had significant number of Japanese residents Each nation had to respond to US desire to control these populations,

or at least break their power and influence   Governmental Changes -Chilean Neutrality cost it in weapons, finances, goodwill -Arg. Intended to follow same policy it had in WWI, but changes in

World made this difficult And US unwillingness to understand the S.C. position caused considerable long-lasting ill-will in the Southern Cone      

CONCLUSIONS

Three Large Wars in Latin America World War II