Reference no: EM133565372
Assignment:
Discussed the Spanish American War, the expansion of a US informal empire across the Caribbean and Central America into the 1920s and US intervention in the Mexican Revolution as to ensure that the side most devoted to the "interests" of American capitalists, not necessarily the Mexican people, became victorious. A future module will return to the topic of Cuba and US behavior in Guatamala during the 1950s. Due to time limitations, however, this course cannot provide the sub-topic of US foreign affairs with the coverage that it deserves, not even with regard to Latin America....
For this reality in mind, this extra credit opportunity provides coverage of events in Nicaragua during the 1970s and 1980s as the Nicaraguan people finally overthrew the US-backed Samosa regime. For having the audasity to fight for national self-determination, sovereignty, and the use of Nicaraguan resources and economic potential to uplift the Nicaraguan people, they became labeled "communists" They called themselves the Sandinistas after the great Augusto Sandino.
If you choose to complete this extra credit opportunity, it is recommended that you first review the section on Nicaragua included in the lesson, American Empire II (module 3). Next, respond to the questions below as you read the pdf, and then upload to submit.
Questions
1. In 1979, the Nicaraguan people overthrew the Samosa regime and called themselves the Sandinistas. Describe the Sandinistas and what they began to achieve.
2. How did the US respond to the Sandinistas?
3. Describe the Contras. Who were they? How did their behavior compare to that of the Sandinistas? Be sure to mention who provided the Contras with military and economic support.
4. After approving the CIA's secret war on Nicaragua, what did Reagan tell the American people about the Sandinistas and Contras? List at least three things Reagan blatantly lied about.
5. A nation cannot simultaneously be an empire and a democratic constitutional republic. A nation that starts out as a republic will become consumed by the empire if it takes the imperialist route. Put another way, a nation cannot be a republic at home and an empire abroad. Empires exist to pursue power and, in the modern rendition, profits. They do not respect constitutional restraints and liberties, rule of law, and basic ethics. They do not concern themselves with representing the people and having the consent of the people to act. They do not respect the people. They are about domination, exploitation, and suppression. Citing at least three examples, discuss how US behavior in Nicaragua aligned with the nature of empire.