Latin America in the Second World War
The world war is not named a world war just because of the fighting between allied and axis powers but the worldwide involvement of one of, if not the most gruesome tragedy to ever happen to humanity. And that includes Latin America. Latin American countries contributed through diplomatic, economic, military and political reasons Latin American nations saw an incentive to become involved in the war.
While Argentina and Chile were reluctant to put lives on the line for war so far away, they eventually contributed through material benefits.
Military Contributions:
Most notably Mexico and Brazil saw an opportunity to professionalize their military through working with the United States and the Allies against The Axis powers such as the 201 squadron A.K.A Aztec eagle squadron, a Mexican fighter pilot squadron. They flew Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and supported US ground troops and bombed Japanese coastline. Mexico's alliance with the United States allowed the US to use all airfields and military bases for resources and military training.
The Wars Impacts on Latin American Economies:
Around this time most Latin American economies were struggling. World War two encouraged the modernization of outdated economic supply systems through infrastructure and production possibility. For example, Venezuela began to exploit its large oil reserves something that became a massive part of its economy until its recent total collapse. The loss of European and Asian markets due to the war Latin American economies saw an increase in demand in several key industries that helped boost the economy. The modernization that the second world war also helped get rid of multiple dictators including those of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Brazil.
With the resources provided by Latin American nations the US was able to continue its pivotal role in the war, as well as those nations, seeing economic and military improvements.
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While Argentina and Chile were reluctant to put lives on the line for war so far away, they eventually contributed through material benefits.
Military Contributions:
Most notably Mexico and Brazil saw an opportunity to professionalize their military through working with the United States and the Allies against The Axis powers such as the 201 squadron A.K.A Aztec eagle squadron, a Mexican fighter pilot squadron. They flew Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and supported US ground troops and bombed Japanese coastline. Mexico's alliance with the United States allowed the US to use all airfields and military bases for resources and military training.
The Wars Impacts on Latin American Economies:
Around this time most Latin American economies were struggling. World War two encouraged the modernization of outdated economic supply systems through infrastructure and production possibility. For example, Venezuela began to exploit its large oil reserves something that became a massive part of its economy until its recent total collapse. The loss of European and Asian markets due to the war Latin American economies saw an increase in demand in several key industries that helped boost the economy. The modernization that the second world war also helped get rid of multiple dictators including those of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Brazil.
With the resources provided by Latin American nations the US was able to continue its pivotal role in the war, as well as those nations, seeing economic and military improvements.
Link
This is so interesting! I had no idea that Mexico worked with the Unites States during World War II. I really like this post because it conveys interesting truths about WWII that a lot of people probably don't know. It is also super interesting to me how the modernization that came after WWII helped to overthrow multiple dictators. Even though war is a terrible thing, nor is it necessary in most cases, I think that some positive things can sometimes come out of it, like the overthrowing of mean dictators.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good article, I didn't really know anything about the involvement of South America in World War II. One thing that I did find interesting however is that while, like how you mentioned, several Latin American countries did have struggling economies at the time there were still some countries that were doing well at the time, which also happened to have a direct correlation to those countries that the Nazi's so famously escaped to after the war. Argentina for example was doing very well at the time which was largely part of the reasoning for many Nazi's to flee to the country (obviously it also had to do with the fact that the Argentine president at the time was known to be rather anti-semitic as well however).
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