In an attempt to maintain law and order,
American intervention spread to include taking control of the
country's police force. In 1917, the U. S. established military
rule in Haiti and this was not appreciated by the local citizens.
The marines were compelled to shoot some two thousand Haitians in
the process of restoring peace. The troops were not finally
withdrawn from Haiti until 1934.
In spreading the benefits of her civilization into the Caribbean,
America acquired a colored empire which only served to complicate
her own racial situation. Blacks, however, played an important
role in the acquisition of this territory. American ministers to
Haiti were usually Negroes, and Negro soldiers played a
significant part in the Spanish-American War. In their attempts
to demonstrate their loyalty and patriotism, American Negroes
unwittingly helped to bring more colored peoples under the sway
of American racism.
America's real involvement in world politics occurred with her
entrance into the First World War. The British and French had
sought to give the war an ideological flavor in order both to
stir up the patriotism of their own citizens and also to draw in
support from other nations, especially the United States.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207