School of the Americas

Definition

The School of the Americas (SOA) was a U.S. military training facility established in 1946, located in the Panama Canal Zone, with the aim of training Latin American military personnel in counterinsurgency and other military tactics. This institution is closely connected to the historical role of the military in Latin American politics, as it played a significant role in shaping military leadership and strategies throughout the region during the Cold War, often aligning with authoritarian regimes to suppress leftist movements and maintain U.S. influence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The School of the Americas was relocated to Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2000 after controversies regarding its impact on human rights abuses and military coups in Latin America.
2. Training programs at SOA included tactics for interrogation, psychological operations, and counterinsurgency methods aimed at quelling dissent and opposition movements.
3. Many graduates of the SOA went on to hold high-ranking positions in their respective countries' militaries and were implicated in significant human rights violations during authoritarian regimes.
4. The school has been criticized for its role in perpetuating a cycle of violence and repression in Latin America, with former students often being involved in coup d'états against democratically elected governments.
5. Protests against the SOA have continued over the years, highlighting its controversial legacy and calling for accountability for the actions of its graduates.

Review Questions

• How did the School of the Americas influence military practices in Latin America during the Cold War?
  • The School of the Americas influenced military practices in Latin America by providing training focused on counterinsurgency and suppression of dissent. The tactics taught at the SOA were specifically designed to combat leftist movements, which were seen as threats to U.S. interests during the Cold War. This resulted in many Latin American militaries adopting similar strategies, contributing to a cycle of violence against civilians and political opponents across various nations.
• Evaluate the impact of SOA-trained military personnel on human rights conditions in Latin America.
  • SOA-trained military personnel had a profound impact on human rights conditions in Latin America, as many graduates became key figures in regimes known for their brutality and repression. These individuals often implemented tactics learned at SOA, including torture and forced disappearances, against political dissidents. The legacy of these actions has led to widespread condemnation of both the SOA itself and the governments that employed such violent methods against their citizens.
• Assess the long-term implications of the School of the Americas on contemporary Latin American politics and military relations with the U.S.
  • The long-term implications of the School of the Americas continue to resonate in contemporary Latin American politics, as issues surrounding military influence, human rights abuses, and U.S. interventionism remain relevant. The legacy of SOA-trained personnel has created distrust among many citizens towards their military institutions and government leaders. Furthermore, discussions about accountability for past abuses have led to broader movements advocating for democratic governance and respect for human rights, while ongoing U.S.-Latin American military relations are often scrutinized through this historical lens.

Related terms

Counterinsurgency: Military or political actions taken by a government to combat insurgency movements aimed at overthrowing that government.

Latin American Military Dictatorships: Authoritarian regimes in Latin America that often rose to power through military coups and were supported by the U.S. during the Cold War.

Human Rights Violations: Abuses committed by state or non-state actors that violate basic human rights, often linked to military actions supported by regimes trained at institutions like the SOA.