Evaluate the impact of Reagan’s foreign policy on Latin America.

Candidates are required to appraise the impact of US actions in Latin America. The impact of Reagan’s actions could be positive or negative depending on countries and policies; however, candidates should reach a substantiated conclusion.

Indicative content

• The impact of the Reagan Doctrine, a restatement of the Truman Doctrine, applied overt and covert aid in the region in an attempt to drive out communism.
• In general, the US returned to the policy of supporting any government that was anti-communist • The invasion of Grenada in 1983 removed a supposed Marxist government.
• Reagan supported right wing governments in El Salvador and Guatemala, in spite of human rights abuses.
• US diplomacy initially attempted to stay neutral on the Falklands/Malvinas War, but shifted to supporting the United Kingdom.
• Reagan opposed the Sandinistas in Nicaragua; overtly with economic sanctions and covertly by aiding the contras.
• In Haiti, the US supported a coup to remove Duvalier.
• Reagan was supportive of democratic transitions in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Honduras and Uruguay.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]