A Perfect Marriage--The Common Core and

Historical Investigations: Reading History and the

Overthrow of Jacabo Arbenz

Bruce A. LeshFranklin High School

Reisterstown, Maryland

Reading Standards for History/Social Studies

Knowledge of domain-specific vocabulary

Analyze, evaluate, and differentiate primary and secondary sources

Synthesize quantitative and technical information, including facts presented in maps, timelines, flowcharts, or diagrams

Intentional and explicit instruction for students as they interact with discipline-specific text

Text: What is visible/readable--what information is provided by the source?

 Context: What was going on during the time

period? What background information do you have that helps explain the information found in the source?

 Subtext: What is between the lines? Must ask

questions about: • Author: Who created the source and what do we know about

that person? • Audience: For whom was the source created? • Reason: Why was this source produced at the time it was

produced?

Source Work/Historical Literacy

Sourcing: When a reader thinks about a document’s author and why the document was created.Contextualizing: When a reader situates a document and its content in place and time.Corroborating: When a reader asks questions about important details across multiple source to determine points of agreement and disagreement.

http://historicalthinkingmatters.org/why.php

Reading Strategies and Historical Sources

Writing Standards for History/Social Studies

Write arguments on discipline-specific content and informative/explanatory texts

Make arguments or claims and support those with the use of data, evidence, and reason

Apply domain-specific vocabulary through writing exercises unique to each discipline

Expect students to compose arguments and opinions, informative/explanatory pieces, and narrative texts

Focus on the use of reason and evidence to substantiate an argument or claim

Emphasize ability to conduct research – short projects and sustained inquiry

Elements of a History Lab• A central question that does not have

one answer.• Source work—Historical sources are

evaluated and the information gained is applied to the development of an answer to the lab’s central question. • The employment of literacy skills to

evaluate historical sources. • The development, refinement, and

defense of an evidence-based answer to the guiding historical question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHTm3jpwxeU

President Jacobo Arbenz of Guatemala

President Dwight D.

Eisenhower

“Banana Republics”

Why did the United States government

overthrow the government of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala:

Bananas or containment?

As a group, decide if your source

provides proof for bananas or

containment and where in your source that is conveyed. Be

prepared to explain.

Source AuthorWho created the source

and how does that impact the source? Do you believe the author?

Why?

AudienceFor whom was the source

intended? Does this impact the information the source provides?

Information Containment or Bananas?

Source 1: Official CIA Document,

October 1952

Source 2 : Official CIA Document, February 16, 1954

Source 3: Arbanez

Resignation Speech,

1999Source 4: Secretary of State Dulles

Address, 1952

Source 5: Arbenz Pits

Reds Against U.S

1954Source 6:

Eisenhower’s Memoir,

1963

Guatemala City, October 10th, 1952COUNTRY: Guatemala SUBJECT: Personal Political Orientation of President Arbenz /Possibility of a left-wing coup PLACE ACQUIRED: Guatemala DATE ACQUIRED: Sept. 52’ and earlier  Summary

Although President Arbenz appears to collaborate with the Communists and extremists to the detriment of Guatemala’s relations with the U.S., I am quite certain that he personally does not agree with the economic and political ideas of the Guatemalan or Soviet Communists, and I am equally certain that he is not now in a position where they can force him to make decisions in their favor. The reasons for my opinion are as follows: The President’s social reform ideas stem from the U.S. New Deal rather than from Soviet CommunismPresident Arbenz is still convinced that he is “using” Communists and Communism to further his own endsHe is fully aware of Guatemala’s economic dependence on the U.S. Arbenz has no fear of a conservative coup and has taken no active steps to guard against oneThe “opposition” of business groups and conservatives (with the exception of a few landowners) has been greatly exaggerated. This is evident by the “surprising” lack of serious concern in most business circles about the effects of the new land reform bill.  [Later within the the report, the CIA states:] Rather than setting up a Communist state, Arbanez desires to establish a “modern democracy” which would improve the lot of its people through paternalistic social reforms. Arbanez’ personal idol is F.D.R. and his reforms are patterned after New Deal reforms and adjusted to the backward economy and social structure of Guatemala.  His [Arbnez’s] goal is to assert the rights of the Guatemalan Government to dictate he terms under which foreign firms shall operate in the country, especially where the exploitation of natural resources is concerned. Knowing that his country will never be a large industrial nation and yet needing a sound economy to carry out his reform programs, Arbanez sees the only answer is expanding production and keeping a larger share of what is produced… 

16 February 1954MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, WH/PSUBJECT: Communist Penetration of GuatemalaAttachment 1: Communist Penetration of Guatemala  I. A COMMUNIST MINORITY DOMINATES GUATEMALAThe direction of Guatemalan affairs has been captured by a Communist minority. This minority does not represent the people of Guatemala. Numerically, the Communist nucleus, with 500 registered party members and only four deputies out of 56 in Congress, is so small that its ability to dominate, take over, and then betray the…sovereignty of this nation of 3 million people, has seemed incredible to many responsible thinkers both inside and outside the country. However, by gradual penetration, betrayal and eclipse of the moderate forces which tried to accept their cooperation, the Communist minority has been able to spread the rest of its power until the Supreme Court, the Congress and the Executive itself have been brought under their domination, and the army neutralized.  IV. THE ROLE OF GUATEMALA IN THE SOVIET PLAN OF WORLD DOMINATION Analysis of Communist penetration tactics in Guatemala indicates tha the Soviet Aim in the case of Guatemala is not to establish a satellite in Latin America, but to encourage and support complete Communist penetration of Guatemala as a base for increasing Communist activities in that area and expanding Communist penetration on other Latin American countries.  Summary

The situation that exists in Guatemala today as a result of Communist activity in that country differs substantially from that created by Communist maneuvers in Eastern Europe during the early stages of Soviet takeover there. The Eastern European Communists possessed predominate instruments of physical power and enjoyed direct Russian support. Their Guatemalan colleagues have neither. The Communists in Guatemala presently lack the capability of molding the country into a Soviet satellite state, and it seems unlikely that the Soviets would wish them to do so.

Most probably the events if the last weeks constitute a Communist effort to provoke the United States into an unwarranted reaction or to divert our attention and our efforts from areas of more immediate importance.

“Workers, peasants, patriots! Guatemala is going through a hard trial. A cruel war against Guatemala has been unleashed. The United Fruit Company and US monopolies, together with US ruling circles are responsible…. Mercenaries have unleashed fire and death, respecting nothing. We all know how cities have been bombed and strafed, women and children have suffered. We know how representatives of workers and peasants have been murdered in occupied cities… That was an act of vengeance by the United Fruit Company. We are indignant over the cowardly attack by mercenary US fliers. They know Guatemala has no adequate air force so they try to sow panic. They bomb and strafe our forces preventing operations. Today they sank a ship taking on cotton in San Jose. In the name of what do they do these things? We all know what. They have taken the pretext of Communism. The truth is elsewhere -- in financial interests of the United Fruit Company and other US firms that have invested much in Guatemala. Time will show if what they say is true…My Government has been called Communist in nature. We have used every means to convince world reactionaries that what US Government circles say is untrue….I have decided to quit power, turn the executive over to Carlos Enrique Diaz, Chief of the Armed Forces…I believe that democratic political organizations and all other popular organizations should give him full support… Someday the enemy forces will be defeated. I am still a combatant of freedom and progress for my country. I say goodbye with sorrow, but firm in my convictions. These years of sacrifice and fight and the arguments of the enemy have not defeated me…I thank you from my heart for the support Let peace be restored. Let the gains be kept. With the satisfaction of having done my duty I say long live the October Revolution! Long Live Guatemala!

Source: http://www.foia.cia.gov/docs/DOC_0000920952/DOC_0000920952.pdf

Tonight I should like to talk with you about Guatemala. It is the scene of dramatic events. They expose the evil purpose of the Kremlin [Soviet Union]to destroy the inter-American system, and they test the ability of the American states to maintain the peaceful integrity of this hemisphere.  For several years international communism has been probing here and there for nesting places in the Americas. It finally chooses Guatemala as a spot which it could turn into an official base from which to breed subversion which could extend to other America Republics.  This intrusion of Soviet despotism [absolute rule] was, of course, a direct challenge to our Monroe Doctrine, the first and most fundamental of our foreign policies…In Guatemala, international communism had an initial success. In began 10 years ago, when a revolution occurred in Guatemala. The revolution was not without justification. But the Communists seized on it, not as an opportunity for real reforms, but as a chance to gain political power.  Communist agitators devoted themselves to infiltrating the public and private organizations of Guatemala. They sent recruits to Russia and other Communist countries for revolutionary training and indoctrination in such institutions as the Lenin School of Moscow. Operating in the guise of “reformers” they organized the workers and the peasants under Communist leadership. Having gained control of what they call “mass organizations” they moved on to take over the official press and radio of the Guatemalan Government. They dominated the social security organization and ran the agrarian land reform program. Through the technique of the “popular front” they dictated to Congress and the President… If world communism captures any American State, however small, a new and perilous front is established which will increase the danger to the entire free world and require even greater sacrifices from the American people… At the…Tenth Inter-American Conference…They (South and Latin American nations) declared that “the domination or control of the political institutions of any American State by the international Communist movement would constitute a threat to the sovereignty and political independence of the American States, endangering the peace of America.” There was only one American State that voted against the declaration. That state was Guatemala...  Despite the armaments (weapons) piled up by the Arbenz government, it was unable to enlist the spiritual cooperation of the people … Last Sunday, President Arbenz of Guatemala resigned and seeks asylum.  In conclusion, let me assure the people of Guatemala. As peace and freedom are restored to that sister Republic, the government of the United States will continue to support the just aspirations of the Guatemalan people. A prosperous and progressive Guatemala is vital to a healthy hemisphere. The United States pledges itself not merely to political opposition to communism but to help to alleviate conditions in Guatemala and elsewhere which might afford Communism an opportunity to spread its tentacles throughout the hemisphere. Thus we shall seek in positive ways to make our Americas an example which will inspire men everywhere.”  Source: Guatemala in Rebellion Unfinished History – Edited by Jonathan L. Fried, Marvin E. Gettlemen, Deborah

T. Levenson, and Nancy Peckenham Pages 77-79.

Arbenz Pits Reds Against U.S?By a staff writer on Latin-American Affairs for the Christian Science Monitor Many Latin Americans have viewed with askance [suspicion] U.S. concern over Communism in Guatemala. Somewhat removed physically and psychologically, from the ideological world struggle, they contend that the U.S. is exaggerating the threat and that worthwhile reforms are being fostered by the present government (in Guatemala). They are inclined to assume that attacks on that Central American Economy come from ‘imperialistic’ sources in the United States. Therefore it is significant to record the views of a Latin American of undoubted liberal background who recently made a visit to Central America-staying about a month in Guatemala.  Arbenz Wields PowerClosely affiliated with labor and student affairs in Latin America this observer represents groups that have in some cases have been critical of the U.S. attitude toward Guatemala. He writes as follows from Central America: “The situation in Guatemala is really paradoxical(uncommon). While economic and social reforms are being carried out in a democratic climate and with a view to economic development within capitalism and free enterprise, politics seem to be very much infiltrated and influenced by Communists.”“But the political power of the Communists among the mass of the people appears to be very weak. The true political power is in the hands of President Arbenz and the army-Above all, the former. It may be the complacency of the President which makes possible the Communists’ relative influence in the press and foreign policy of the country. My impression is that if the President wanted to, he could end in 24 hours the influence and apparent importance of the Communists.”“However, what I believe Arbenz is doing is to play the Communists against the U.S.: to the end of fomenting (instigating) anti-Communist hysteria in order that the United States loses control and take some decisive step against Guatemala. Should this occur it would create a very bad impression in Latin America (whatever may have been its origin) and then Russia would certainly get worth-while propaganda ammunition against the United States in this part of the world.”  

Source: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/faq.html

The troubles had been long-standing, reaching back nine years to the Guatemalan revolution of 1944, which had resulted in the overthrow of the dictator General Jorge Ubico. Thereafter, the Communists busied themselves with agitating and with infiltrating labor unions, peasant organizations, and the press and radio. In 1950 a military officer, Jacob Arbenz, came to power and by his actions soon created the strong suspicion that he was merely a puppet manipulated by Communists. The American republics (other countries in Latin America) wanted no Communist regime within their midst. They recognized that subversion by Communism was only another form of aggression, even more evil than that achieved by naked military force. However, in unstable regions where revolutions and rioting were not uncommon, where some governments were being maintained by dictatorial means, where resentments against the United States were sometimes nurtured by groups other than Communist cells, it was difficult to differentiate positively between Communist influence and uncontrolled and politically rebellious groups. For example, on February 24, 1953, the Arbenz government announced its intention, under an agrarian reform law (land reform law), to seize about 225,000 acres of unused United Fruit Company land. Of all lands expropriated(taken), two thirds belonged to United Fruit. In return the company was to receive the woefully inadequate compensation of $600,000 in long-term non-negotiable agrarian bonds.

Approximately six weeks after the announcement of the United Fruit Company land seizure…Guatemala withdrew from the five-nation Organization of Central American States , alleging aggression by Guatemala's neighbors. In this instance, the real reason was apparent: Guatemala could not risk participation in a debate on an anti-Communist resolution scheduled for presentation by El Salvador at a forthcoming meeting of the organization…

…[in 1954] Arbenz had declared a state of siege and launched a reign of terror. Then on June 18 armed forces under Carlos Castillo Armas, an exiled former colonel in the Guatemalan Army, crossed the border from Honduras into Guatemala, initially with a mere handful of men--reportedly about two hundred. As he progressed he picked up recruits.

…By the middle of 1954 Latin America was free, for the time being at least, of any fixed outposts of Communism.  

Source: Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mandate for Change, The White House Years, 1953-1956. Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1963. 421-426.

How are they ALL interconnected? Why did the United States government overthrow

Arbenz in Guatemala: Bananas ($$) or containment? John F. Duller

Sec. of State

Law Firm Sullivan and Cromwell

Allen Dulles Head of the CIA

Brothers

United Fruit Company

Board of Directors for the UFCO

Shareholder of the UFCO

President Eisenhower

Personal SecretaryAnn Whitman

Public Relations Officer for UFCO -- Ed Whitman

Rank your evidence from most to least

useful in proving your interpretation as to

why the United Sates overthrew President

Arbenz of Guatemala.

• The two most important pieces of evidence was…because…

• The two pieces of evidence that contradicted the most were…because…

• The two pieces of evidence that most complimented one another were…because…

• The two pieces of evidence that presented the most difficulty were…because….

blesh@bcps.org

Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles

Allen Dulles, Director of the Central Intelligence

Agency (CIA)

Why did the United States government overthrow Arbenz in Guatemala: Bananas ($$) or

containment?

1944 Free Election in Guatemala Elected Dr. Arevalo (Liberal Politician)Constitution Written

1950 Elected Col. Arbenz (Extends Political Freedoms to All)

1952 225,000 Acres of Land ConfiscatedCompensated Based Amount Declared on TaxesUnited Fruit Com. Enraged

1952 Eisenhower ElectedPlatform: Reduce Military Spending

1954 Armas Invades with Support of the U.S.Arbenz ResignsArmas Appointed Leader/”Liberator”