Herbert Hoover, Occupation Withdrawal, and the Good Neighbor Policy

Historians still associate the Good Neighbor Policy in L atin A merica almost exclusively with F ranklin R oosevelt while admitting that Republican administrations before his set some precedents. This article argues more forcefully for recognizing the work of H erbert H oover in establishing the major pillar of the policy—the withdrawal of U.S. troops from L atin A merica. More attuned than previous presidents to dissenting voices throughout the A mericas, Hoover abandoned the rhetoric of paternalism toward C entral A merica and the Caribbean and understood the moral and economic damage that occupation was doing to the U nited S tates. His diplomatic footprint was most visible in withdrawals from N icaragua and H aiti.