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The US, since its inception as a nation, has worked to establish itself as a Bastion of Democracy, unparalleled by none other. Three things — "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" — were sown into the core of American fervor and culture, yet—these items, while somewhat protected in the US itself (ignoring the deprivation of such rights to minorities, indigenous peoples, leftists, and so on throughout history) were in exact contrast and opposition to the ideals of the US abroad. While Americans enjoyed the benefits of the US' ideals and rights, it came at a cost—not to necessarily be paid by the citizens of the United States, but to be paid by the residents of the countries tormented by its influence across the globe.
Throughout the 20th century, the United States embarked on numerous interventions that starkly contradicted its proclaimed commitment to democracy. Under the guise of anti-communism and national security, the US government often undermined legitimate governments and supported authoritarian regimes to safeguard its strategic and economic interests. This pattern is evident in the covert operations conducted by the CIA, such as the 1954 coup in Guatemala and the 1973 coup in Chile, where democratically elected leaders were overthrown and replaced with military dictatorships that led to widespread human rights abuses. Furthermore, seeking to prevent the establishment of a democratically-decided, yet Communist, government in Vietnam, the US launched an incursion into Cambodia, sowing instability into the country and leading to catastrophic effects for its population in the name of "anti-communism". This duality in American policy—promoting democracy at home while subverting it abroad—raises critical questions about the true nature of the US as a "Bastion of Democracy." The selective application of democratic principles reveals a complex and often hypocritical stance that prioritizes national interest over universal human rights. As we delve into these historical events, it becomes clear that the American narrative of democracy is fraught with contradictions, shaped by the interplay of ideological commitments and pragmatic considerations. Understanding this history is crucial for recognizing the broader implications of US foreign policy and the lasting impact it has had on global perceptions of American democracy. |
The scene of the Declaration of Independence, which included "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"
The Statue of Liberty, an Iconic symbol of American democracy and freedom.
Anti-communist propaganda during the Cold War justified numerous US interventions worldwide
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Jacobo Árbenz, the democratically elected president of Guatemala, whose progressive policies led to his overthrow in a CIA-backed coup
The maritime flag of the United Fruit Company, which played a significant role in prompting US intervention and subsequent tyranny due to its vast economic interests in Guatemala
The exhumation of indigenous Mayan peoples killed from the US-backed government during the Mayan genocide
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The 1954 Guatemalan Coup stands as a stark example of how the United States, under the guise of promoting democracy, engaged in actions that subverted democratic principles abroad. Involved key figures included Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, CIA Director Allen Dulles, and the influential United Fruit Company. Árbenz, a democratically elected leader, sought to implement land reforms that threatened the interests of the United Fruit Company, a powerful American corporation. This led to a covert CIA operation, codenamed Operation PBSUCCESS, which orchestrated a coup to depose Árbenz and replace him with a military dictatorship.
The coup took place in Guatemala, a small Central American country, during the Cold War period when the US was deeply concerned about the spread of communism. The official justification for the coup was to prevent a communist foothold in the Western Hemisphere. However, the underlying motive was largely economic, aimed at protecting American corporate interests. The successful overthrow of Árbenz led to decades of political instability, human rights abuses, and civil war in Guatemala, which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The significance of the Guatemalan Coup extends beyond the immediate aftermath. It exemplifies the contradiction between American democratic ideals and the realities of its foreign policy. While the US professed to champion freedom and democracy, its actions in Guatemala fostered tyranny and repression. The installation of a military regime marked the beginning of a long and brutal period of governance characterized by widespread violence and genocide against the indigenous population, perpetuated by US-supported governments. Understanding the Guatemalan Coup is crucial for comprehending the broader patterns of US interventionism during the Cold War. It highlights the ethical and moral complexities of American foreign policy, where strategic and economic interests often trumped the professed values of democracy and human rights. Reminding people of this forgotten history is important because it provides a more nuanced understanding of the period and its lasting impact on global politics. The coup not only shaped Guatemala's trajectory but also set a precedent for US actions in other parts of Latin America, influencing regional dynamics for decades to come. |
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The Cambodian Incursion of 1970 is a critical yet often overlooked episode that exemplifies the contradiction between American democratic ideals and its foreign policy actions. Key figures involved were US President Richard Nixon, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger, Cambodian Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot. In an effort to combat North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces operating from Cambodian territory, the US launched a secret bombing campaign, followed by a ground invasion. These actions were part of Nixon's strategy to expedite the end of the Vietnam War by targeting enemy sanctuaries across the border.
The incursion took place in Cambodia, a neutral country in Southeast Asia, and was conducted without the knowledge or consent of the American public or Congress. The official rationale was to destroy the logistical networks of North Vietnamese forces; however, the broader aim was to demonstrate US resolve and military might. This intervention severely destabilized Cambodia, leading to the overthrow of Prince Sihanouk and creating a power vacuum that facilitated the rise of the Khmer Rouge, a brutal regime responsible for one of the most devastating genocides of the 20th century, killing a quarter of Cambodia's population (2-3million). The significance of the Cambodian Incursion extends beyond its immediate military objectives. It highlights the moral and ethical dilemmas inherent in US foreign policy during the Cold War. While the US professed to uphold democracy and self-determination, its actions in Cambodia resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life, ultimately empowering a genocidal regime. The bombing campaign and subsequent invasion not only violated Cambodian sovereignty but also contradicted the democratic values that the US claimed to defend. Understanding the Cambodian Incursion is essential for a comprehensive grasp of the complexities of the Vietnam War and US foreign policy. It serves as a stark reminder of the unintended and often catastrophic consequences of military interventions. By examining this forgotten history, we gain insights into the broader patterns of American interventionism and its long-lasting impact on global perceptions of the United States. The Cambodian Incursion underscores the importance of critically evaluating foreign policy decisions and their alignment with proclaimed democratic ideals--America often, despite its own proclamations, upholds itself via the destruction and death of others via tyrannical government. |
President Nixon announcing the Cambodian Incursion, intended to disrupt enemy supply lines.
My grandmother (bottom-left) with my Aunt fleeing the Khmer Rouge in a Thai refugee camp
Skulls of the victims of the Cambodian Genocide, killed in "Killing Fields" via pickaxe to save bullets
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