Historical Dictionary of United States-Caribbean Relations

The relationship between the world’s largest power and the small nations of the Caribbean has been and remains rich and varied. The history of political and security collaboration is long, if not untroubled: the United States is the Caribbean’s predominant trade and investment partner, and U.S. culture is as pervasive in the region as are U.S. goods. At the same time, the proximity, smallness, and economic dependence of these countries have all contributed to a tendency for the United States to seek to dominate the region, often enough by resort to hard power. From the nineteenth century through the Cold War, the United States has resorted to military interventions and coercive diplomacy to ensure that this region, so close to its shores, remains stable and friendly.

The Historical Dictionary of United States-Caribbean Relations contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries onimportant personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture.

Jacqueline Braveboy-Wagner is Professor of Political Science in the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership at the City College and Professor in the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York. She is a specialist in foreign policy, diplomacy and development, particularly with respect to small states (and specifically Caribbean states) as well as the nations of the global south in general.

Clifford E. Griffin is Associate Professor at North Carolina State University, teaching in the Department of Political Science, School of Public & International Affairs, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His ongoing collaborations include a University of London Institute of the Americas research project on the role of Westminster in the Caribbean and two projects with the University of São Paulo on building democracy.