Imperialism and Solidarity
The Monroe Doctrine (1823), the Good Neighbour Policy (1933), and Nixon’s Doctrine (1969) ensured a strong U.S. presence in Latin America (the so-called “backyard” to the U.S.) throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the case of Nicaragua, the United States ensured that the Somoza family stayed in power as long as it did (1936 – 1979) with the creation and training of the much- despised military police, the National Guard, which became known for their corruption and abhorrent human rights abuses. These close political, economic, and military ties to the U.S. were some of the major factors that sparked the Sandinista Revolution.
During the Contra War of the 1980s, the Sandinistas used propaganda posters to depict the Somoza regime in Nicaragua, and the United States government, as being one sole oppressor. The Sandinista Front also looked to examples of successful revolutions around the world, such as Cuba’s, as sources of inspiration. In a similar fashion, people from across the globe who were sympathetic to the plight of the Nicaraguan people and distrustful of U.S. influence in the region pledged solidarity with Nicaragua.