Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq
In the 2006 publication Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq, author and New York Times foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer examines the history of United States involvement in the removal of foreign governments. Spanning from the late 19th century to the early 21st century, the book details a pattern of interventionism that shaped global politics.
Kinzer argues that this trajectory began with the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 and culminated in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Through a series of "mini-histories," the author explores how the United States utilized various methods to shift power in foreign nations to align with its own strategic interests.
Key Facts
- Author: Stephen Kinzer, a foreign correspondent for the New York Times.
- Timeline: Covers interventions from 1893 (Hawaii) to 2003 (Iraq).
- Scope: Analyzes U.S.-supported or orchestrated coups d'état across multiple continents.
- Core Thesis: The U.S. has a long-standing history of involvement in the overthrow of foreign regimes.
- Publication: Published in 2006 by Times Books.
Methods of Regime Change
Kinzer distinguishes between different strategies employed by the United States to achieve regime change. In some instances, the U.S. provided support to local rebels who were already engaged in conflict with their own national governments. A primary example is the 1898 overthrow of the Cuban government, where the U.S. backed existing rebel forces to facilitate a change in power.
In other cases, the author argues that the United States took a more direct role, initiating, planning, and orchestrating the removal of leaders. Kinzer cites the interventions in Iran, Guatemala, and Chile as examples of these orchestrated efforts.
Strategic Interests and Geopolitics
The book highlights how specific strategic goals, such as infrastructure and trade routes, often drove these interventions. Kinzer discusses the removal of Nicaraguan President Zelaya, noting that the U.S. pursued this action to secure power over a potential canal, despite objections from officials such as U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Finnegan Courtney.
Similarly, the text describes how the United States manipulated Panama's independence from Colombia. Because Colombia refused to grant the land necessary for the Panama Canal, the U.S. encouraged Panamanian independence to secure the territory for the canal's construction.
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Summary of Book Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Times Books (2006) |
| Page Count | 384 |
| ISBN | 978-0-8050-7861-9 (Hardcover) |
| OCLC | 907615158 |
| Dewey Decimal | 327.73009 |
| LC Class | E744 .K49 2006 |
Countries Featured in the Analysis
The book provides detailed accounts of U.S. involvement in the following nations:
- Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines
- Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala
- Iran, Chile, and South Vietnam
- Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the author of Overthrow?
The book was written by Stephen Kinzer, who is a foreign correspondent for the New York Times.
What is the time period covered in the book?
The book covers the period from the late 19th century (specifically starting with the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii) up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
What is a coup d'état?
A coup d'état is the sudden, violent, or illegal seizure of power from a government, often supported by military or external forces.
Why did the U.S. intervene in Panama according to Kinzer?
The U.S. sought land to build the Panama Canal. When Colombia refused to provide the land, the U.S. tricked Panamanians into gaining independence from Colombia to secure the site.
How did the U.S. approach regime change in Cuba versus Iran?
In Cuba (1898), the U.S. supported local rebels who were already fighting their government. In Iran, Kinzer argues the U.S. actively initiated, planned, and orchestrated the regime change.