Danger of Dreams

American imperialism in Latin America at the beginning of the twentieth century has been explained, in part, as a response to the threat posed by Germany in the region. But, as Nancy Mitchell demonstrates, the German actions that raised American hackles then--and have been held up ever since as evidence that Germany aimed to challenge the Monroe Doctrine--prove to be, on close inspection of German, U.S., and British archives, a potent mix of German bombast and American paranoia. Simply put, says Mitchell, there was no German threat in Latin America.