The Invaded: How Latin Americans and Their Allies Fought and Ended U.S. Occupations

The Invaded examines U.S. military occupations in Latin America and the Caribbean during the early 20th century, focusing on Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. McPherson analyzes both the American occupying forces and the local resistance movements that emerged in response. The book draws from military records, diplomatic cables, personal correspondence, and local accounts to reconstruct these historical conflicts. Through these sources, it documents the strategies of resistance used by occupied populations and their international supporters against U.S. forces. The narrative follows key figures on both sides of these occupations, from U.S. military commanders and politicians to local guerrilla leaders and civilian activists. McPherson traces the evolution of anti-occupation movements from their origins through various phases of resistance. This work challenges traditional military histories by centering the perspective of the occupied rather than the occupiers. In doing so, it presents broader insights about imperialism, resistance, and the complex relationship between the United States and Latin America.

Readers appreciate McPherson's focus on Latin American resistance rather than just U.S. actions, and note the book fills an important gap in occupation literature. Multiple reviewers highlight the detailed research and extensive use of primary sources from both U.S. and Latin American archives. Readers liked: - Clear analysis of resistance tactics and strategies - Coverage of often-overlooked occupations like Nicaragua - Balance between academic rigor and readability Readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style in some sections - Limited coverage of certain occupations - High price of hardcover edition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) From a Goodreads reviewer: "McPherson shows how Latin Americans weren't passive victims but active resisters who shaped occupation outcomes." From an Amazon reviewer: "The writing becomes technical at times but the insights into resistance movements make it worthwhile."

Empire's Workshop by Greg Grandin A history of U.S. intervention in Latin America from the 19th century through the Reagan era, focusing on military operations, economic policies, and political influence.

The Blood Telegram by Gary J. Bass An examination of U.S. involvement in Pakistan's 1971 military crackdown in Bangladesh, revealing the mechanics of American foreign intervention and its human costs.

The War on the Poor by Karen McCally A study of U.S. military occupations in the Caribbean during the early 20th century and their impact on local populations and economies.

The Good Occupation by Susan L. Carruthers An analysis of American military occupations in Germany and Japan after World War II, exploring the relationships between occupiers and occupied populations.

In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines by Stanley Karnow A comprehensive account of the U.S. colonization of the Philippines and its lasting effects on both nations' political and cultural development.

🌎 Though U.S. occupations in Latin America were meant to bring stability and democracy, they often resulted in increased resistance and nationalism, particularly in Haiti (1915-34), Nicaragua (1912-33), and the Dominican Republic (1916-24). 📚 Author Alan McPherson has written six books on U.S.-Latin American relations and received the Murdo MacLeod Book Prize from the Latin American and Caribbean Section of the Southern Historical Association. ⚔️ The book reveals how local populations used non-violent resistance tactics like strikes and boycotts alongside armed rebellion to challenge U.S. military presence, creating a complex web of resistance that crossed social classes. 🤝 Anti-occupation movements in Latin America received significant support from international allies, including journalists, activists, and politicians from the United States itself who opposed their country's interventionist policies. 📝 McPherson drew from previously untapped sources in multiple languages and countries, including diplomatic correspondence, personal letters, and local newspaper archives, to tell the story from the perspective of those being occupied rather than the occupiers.