a. Overview

VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000> D. Latin America, 1945–2000> 3. Central America, 1945–2000> b. Guatemala

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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.

(See Dec. 17–19)

b. Guatemala
1945
Guatemalan women gained the vote.	1
1950, Nov. 10–12
COL. JACOBO ARBENZ GUZMÁN (1913–71), a consistent supporter of Arévalo's liberal program, was elected president.	2
1952, June 17
Pres. Arbenz signed a land reform bill. Arbenz reiterated his commitment to capitalism, but the reform was supported by a variety of labor and left-wing organizations active in the subsequently formed peasant leagues. Under the reform, holdings of over 223 acres were to be expropriated and given to the landless, paid for with 25-year bonds.	3
1953, Feb. 25
The United Fruit Company (UFCO) was told of a plan to expropriate 225,000 of its 550,000 acres in holdings, only 15 percent of which were under cultivation. The UFCO immediately began a public relations campaign in the U.S. to portray Arbenz as a Communist.	4
Oct. 14
The U.S. State Department declared that Guatemala, “openly playing the Communist game,” could expect no U.S. help or cooperation. UFCO executives requested CIA help in overthrowing the Arbenz regime.	5

The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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