ABSTRACT
Since the proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, Central America has been firmly within the USA’s sphere of influence, becoming what is colloquially referred to as its ‘backyard’. While other powerful international actors have occasionally affected the region’s affairs (for example, see Chapters 19 and 21 in this volume), none have done so as thoroughly or for as long as the USA in the political, economic and military spheres. As such the region has contributed to the rise of the USA as a major global power, providing access to raw materials, cheap labour and a crucial transportation hub and corridor between the East and West Coasts. Indeed, the historian Greg Grandin has noted that Central America has served as the empire’s workshop, where imperial policies of the USA have been tested, honed, projected outwards to other regions, and returned with a vengeance.
