What is the Banana Wars?
The Banana Wars, initiated by the Spanish-American War, is an umbrella term for the multitude of U.S. military interventions in Central America and the Caribbean. These interventions happened between 1898 and 1934, causing political and economic instability for many if not all, Latin American countries involved. The U.S. military justification for these interventions was centered around the idea of protecting American businesses like the United Fruit Company.
" The Dark History of Bananas - John Soluri "
Key Terms
Intervention: The act of becoming involved in a situation to alter the outcome or to help resolve a conflict.
Monopoly: A market structure where a single seller controls the entire supply of a product or service, limiting competition.
Tariff: A tax imposed by a government on imported goods, making them more expensive compared to domestic products.
Exploitation: The act of taking unfair advantage of a situation or person, often for economic gain.
Colonialism: The practice of acquiring and maintaining control over foreign territories and peoples, often involving settlement and exploitation.
Diplomacy: The management of relationships between countries, often involving negotiation and dialogue to resolve conflicts.
Embargo: A government order that restricts trade with a specific country or the exchange of specific goods, often for political reasons.
Agriculture: The science and practice of farming, including the cultivation of plants and the rearing of animals for food, fiber, and other products.
Dependency: A state of reliance on another entity, often seen in economic contexts where one country relies heavily on another for resources or support.
Negotiation: The process of discussing and reaching an agreement between two or more parties, often involving compromise and strategizing.
Coup: A sudden and illegal takeover of a government, usually carried out by a small group of people such as military leaders or political insiders. This is done usually without the consent of the public.
Extra Resources/ Materials
Article on Bananas Business in Colombia
It is an easy to read article that allows readers to gain a good general scope of what took place in Colombia in regards to the banana companies and demonstrates the role the U.S. took.
“Did your fruit fund terrorists?” New Report Asks Why Chiquita Blocked 9/11 Victims Bill
An article that analyzes why Chiquita is trying to battle a bill to help victims of terrorism.
Chiquita Papers Document over $800,000 in Payments to Colombian Guerrillas
Article critically analyzes the documentation of payments made by Chiquita to terrorist groups in Colombia.
The Banana Wars: How The U.S. Plundered Central America On Behalf Of Corporations
This source is great for pictures and includes a general overview of the wars.
The Monroe Doctrine Transcript
Message of President James Monroe at the commencement of the first session of the 18th Congress (The Monroe Doctrine); 12/2/1823; President’s Messages during the 18th Congress; Presidential Messages, 1789–1875; Records of the U.S. Senate, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version: https://docsteach.org/document/monroe-doctrine/, September 29, 2025]