Growing out of the fear of increased Soviet and Cuban influence in Latin America,
the 1961-1969 Alliance for Progress was in essence a Marshall Plan for
Latin America. The United States pledged $20 billion
in assistance (grants and loans) and called upon the Latin American governments
to provide $80 billion in investment funds for their economies. It was the
biggest U.S. aid program toward the developing world up to that point--and
called for substantial reform of Latin American institutions.
President John F. Kennedy greeting Peace Corps Volunteers
Washington policymakers saw the Alliance as a means of bulwarking capitalist
economic growth, funding social reforms to help the poorest Latin Americans,
promoting democracy--and strengthening ties between the United States and its
neighbors. A key element of the Alliance was U.S. military assistance to
friendly regimes in the region, an aspect that gained prominence with the
ascension of President Lyndon B. Johnson to power in late
1963 (as the other components of the Alliance were downplayed). The Alliance did
not achieve all its lofty goals. According to one study, only 2 percent of
economic growth in 1960s Latin America directly benefited the poor; and there
was a general deterioration of United States-Latin American relations by the end
of the 1960s.
Although derided as "Kennedy's Kiddie Corps" by some when it was established in 1961, the Peace Corps proved over time to be an important foreign policymaking institution. By sending intelligent, hard-working, and idealistic young Americans to do economic and social development work (on 2-year tours) in the areas of greatest need in the Third World, the Peace Corps provided a means by which young Americans could not only learn about the world, but promote positive change. A significant number of Peace Corps Volunteers went on to work as officials in the U.S. Government.
The Peace Corps remains an important, vibrant foreign policy institution. Since the Peace Corps' founding, more than 187,000 men and women have joined the Peace Corps and served in 139 countries. There are 7,749 Peace Corps Volunteers currently serving 73 countries around the world.
President John F. Kennedy greeting Peace Corps Volunteers
Although derided as "Kennedy's Kiddie Corps" by some when it was established in 1961, the Peace Corps proved over time to be an important foreign policymaking institution. By sending intelligent, hard-working, and idealistic young Americans to do economic and social development work (on 2-year tours) in the areas of greatest need in the Third World, the Peace Corps provided a means by which young Americans could not only learn about the world, but promote positive change. A significant number of Peace Corps Volunteers went on to work as officials in the U.S. Government.
The Peace Corps remains an important, vibrant foreign policy institution. Since the Peace Corps' founding, more than 187,000 men and women have joined the Peace Corps and served in 139 countries. There are 7,749 Peace Corps Volunteers currently serving 73 countries around the world.
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