revolution revolution spanish period history popular uprising dictator united_states orchestrated coup état president known years spring highlighting years representative democracy guatemala end civil war included program reform enormously influential latin_america late 19th century guatemala governed series authoritarian rulers sought strengthen economy supporting export coffee granted significant concessions american corporation traded tropical fruit indigenous people communal lands ruled dictator process intensified institution harsh labor regulations police state june popular pro democracy movement led university students labor organizations forced resign appointed person military place led continued oppressive policies toppled military coup led october event known october revolution coup leaders formed swiftly called open elections elections won landslide progressive professor philosophy face popular movement implemented moderate program social reform including widely successful literacy campaign largely free election process women given vote communist parties banned following end presidency elected presidency landslide progressive military leader continued reforms began ambitious land reform program known portions large land holdings return compensation poverty stricken agricultural laborers approximately people benefited decree majority indigenous people spanish invasion policies ran lost land company lobbied government overthrow responded engineering coup pretext communist took power head military provoking war lasted saw backed military commit genocide indigenous maya peoples widespread human rights violations civilians background early 20th century prior spanish invasion population guatemala exclusively maya spanish conquest created system wealthy european landowners overseeing labor force composed slaves laborers community lands indigenous population remained control late 19th century point rising global demand coffee export significant source income government result state supported coffee passing legislation took land away indian population labor laws labor plantations based foreign companies acquired large tracts state land indigenous land president guatemala permitted limited rural guatemala concessions created significant influence urban laborers little reach rural indian populations great depression led collapse economy rise unemployment leading unrest workers laborers fearing possibility revolution landed elite lent support built reputation efficiency provincial governor won election followed candidate dictatorship statements supporting labor movement campaigning presidency election policy quickly authoritarian abolished system debt replaced law required men working age land perform minimum days hard labor addition state use unpaid indian labor work public infrastructure like roads railroads wages low levels passed law allowing land owners complete immunity prosecution action took defend property action described historians murder greatly strengthened police force turning efficient ruthless latin_america police given greater authority shoot people suspected breaking labor laws result laws create tremendous resentment agricultural laborers highly country indigenous people stating resembled great admiration fascist leaders europe saw united_states ally supposed communist threat mexico effort gain american support declared war germany japan followed suit acting american instructions arrested people german descent guatemala permitted establish air base guatemala stated aim protecting panama canal like predecessors large concessions granting hectares acres hectares public land exchange promise build port later released company obligation citing economic crisis entry guatemala expanded land holdings displacing converting farmland banana plantations process accelerated government stop october revolution june general strike onset world war increased economic unrest guatemala responded cracking fiercely form protest dissent popular revolt broke neighboring el_salvador briefly toppled dictator quickly returned power leading flood exiled revolutionaries moving guatemala coincided series protests university responded constitution june protesters point included middle class members addition students workers called general strike presented ultimatum day demanding constitution presented petition signed prominent citizens sent police disrupt protests firing declared martial law clashes protesters military continued week revolt gained momentum end june submitted resignation leading huge celebrations streets resignation restore democracy appointed generals lead provisional government days later persuaded congress appoint interim president pledged hold free elections soon time suppressing protests press freedom suspended arbitrary continued memorial services slain revolutionaries prohibited protests grown point government stamp rural areas began organizing dictatorship government began police indigenous population power forthcoming election resulted growing support armed revolution sections populace army disillusioned begun plot coup interim presidency october editor main opposition newspaper assassinated led military coup reaching leaders protests attempt turn coup popular uprising announced elections pro democracy forces denounced fraud citing attempts rig sought stabilize regime playing inter racial tension population vocal support revolution come people mixed racial descent sought exploit fear indians paying thousands indigenous peasants march support promising land supported begun dictatorship mid october different plans overthrow set motion factions pro democracy movement including teachers students progressive factions army october government learned day small group army officers launched coup led joined day factions army civilian population initially battle went revolutionaries appeal support ranks students eventually subdued police army factions loyal october day surrendered allowed leave country safely military replaced person consisting upper class youth named played significant role protests come military conspiracy relatively late brought powerful honor revolutionaries crucial role rewarded place promised free open elections presidency congress constituent assembly resignation creation considered scholars beginning revolution revolutionary immediately threaten interests landed elite days resignation violent protest erupted small indian hamlet responded swift brutality protest dead civilians included women children election born middle class family primary school teacher brief earned scholarship university argentina earned doctorate philosophy education returned guatemala sought position denied position wished felt uncomfortable dictatorship left country held faculty position argentina returned guatemala july teachers party formed named candidate unexpected surge support candidacy endorsed leading organizations protesters including student federation lack connection dictatorship academic background worked favor students teachers time fact chosen exile conservative argentina revolutionary mexico landowners worried socialist communist reform subsequent elections took place december broadly considered free fair men given vote unlike similar historical situations members stood election closest challenger campaign included number individuals identified regime ballots tallied december won landslide receiving times ballots candidates combined presidency took office march country numerous social economic issues despite policy unpaid labor build public roads internal transport severely inadequate population poor health widespread wealthiest landowners owned nearly quarters agricultural land result cultivated indigenous peasants land far little sustain quarters labor force agriculture industry essentially ideology identified ideology spiritual socialism held belief way alleviate government strongly opposed classical believed capitalist society regulated ensure benefits went entire population ideology reflected new constitution assembly ratified soon inauguration progressive latin_america mandated suffrage women power provisions system communist parties forbidden constitution socialist ideology basis reform enacted later government later portray ideology revolution radical communist fact represent major shift anti communist economic vision country centered private enterprise labor movement revolution left biggest opponents organized labor unaffected landed elite revolution election nonetheless marked significant shift fortunes labor unions protests strengthened labor movement point stopped enforcing law abolished constitution speech celebrating organized labor positive reception freedom press guaranteed new constitution drew attention brutal working conditions beginning new unions formed fell camps communist policies government driven factions underground emerged revolution communist movement strengthened release leaders imprisoned unusual woman movement women discouraged participating communists began organize capital established school workers known taught reading writing helped organize unions months school established president closed school deported leaders movement communist movement survived dominance teacher union response non communist unions mixed rural labor unions fewer workers included plantations unions big survive law banana workers employed union organized strike provoked strikes new labor code passed led efforts employers stall labor code exploit workers far possible passed unions damaged government persuaded found union took anti communist stance despite powerful opposition labor unions managed organize support force congress pass new labor code law revolutionary ways forbade discrimination salary levels basis age race sex religious beliefs political affiliation created set health safety standards workplace standardized hour working day hour working week congress succumbed pressure plantation lobby plantations provision code required plantation owners construct primary schools children workers expressed general commitment position workers provisions enforced creation administrative mechanisms law allowed provisions systematically enforced law huge positive impact worker rights country including raising average wages factor foreign relations government attempted support democratic ideals abroad actions break diplomatic relations government spain dictator inter american conferences year election recommended latin_america recognize support authoritarian regimes initiative defeated supported united_states regime nicaragua response broke diplomatic ties government government dominican_republic frustrated lack results working latin american governments began support sought replace latin_america force necessary led administration labelled communist governments region government floated idea way democratic government survive region approached leaders democratic central american countries rejected president el_salvador leaders began talks build union set commissions look issue late announced formation union process got delayed internal troubles countries government toppled military coup led coup attempt highest ranking military officer october revolution led man formed interim government coup opposed handing power civilian government seeking postpone election return allowing president granted newly created position chief armed forces ranked minister defense position year term controlled military appointments december involved accident left seriously injured fearing military coup leaders par pact party agreed support candidacy elections return promise refrain coup support began landed elite felt threatened reforms initially inclined involved politics began occasional statements government parliamentary election backed number opposition candidates defeated par openly hostile small fragment split support leftist parties decided instead believed military officer defeat july delivered ultimatum demanding expulsion supporters cabinet military threatened coup demands met informed progressive leaders ultimatum agreed exiled days later meeting way convoy intercepted small force led shootout ensued killing men including supporters military rose revolt day rebels asked negotiations coup attempt left approximately dead wounded supporters including exiled details incident public presidency election role defense minister strong candidate presidency firm support government uprising increased prestige economically moderate pin announced presidential candidate upcoming election announcement quickly followed endorsements parties left including influential par labor unions couple significant election field candidates supported members upper middle class felt revolution gone far general support opponents revolution campaign promised continue expand reforms begun election held november won vote elections free fair exception female voters inaugurated president march personal background born middle class family swiss heritage graduated guatemala national military academy excellent grades subsequently officer army officer required escort chain gangs prisoners process begun form links labor movement met married interested social reform significant influence national figure right strong influence known communist main advisers government disgusted authoritarian regime fellow officers begun plotting government resigned witnessed congress naming president highly offended plotted military leaders coup toppled addition having officers revolution formed maintained connections popular civilian movement reform biggest component project modernization reform bill drafted bill help advisers included leaders communist party non communist sought advice numerous latin_america bill passed june program went effect immediately focus program transferring land large landowners poverty stricken laborers able begin viable farm motivated pass bill needed generate capital public infrastructure projects country behest united_states refused grant guatemala loan shortage capital acute official title reform bill land larger acres estates acres acres size land thirds use owners compensated government bonds value equal land value land value owners declared tax returns organized local committees included representatives landowners laborers government nearly private land holdings affected law cast moderate capitalist framework implemented great speed resulted occasional arbitrary land violence directed land owners peasants minor june million acres land distributed approximately individuals sixth population received land point decree included provision financial credit people received land created july june million small loans applicants received average dollars twice capita income developed reputation highly efficient government bureaucracy united_states government biggest negative loans high rate handed march november june law included provisions roads passed land greatly increased rural communities contrary predictions detractors government law resulted slight increase agricultural productivity increase cultivated area purchases farm machinery increased overall law resulted significant improvement living standards thousands peasant families majority indigenous people stated corrected law far greater injustice relatively arbitrary land stated law flawed respects things cautious created communal divisions peasants nonetheless represented fundamental power shift favor history formed merger large american corporations new company major holdings land railroads central_america support business world largest operating capital million dollars largest landowner employer guatemala years presidents company obtained series concessions country allowed massively expand business concessions frequently came cost tax revenue government company supported leadership struggle occurred assuming power expressed willingness create new contract new contract immensely favorable company included year lease massive tracts land virtually taxes guarantee company receive competing contract company paid virtually taxes hurt government ability deal effects great depression asked company pay workers cents day prevent workers demanding higher wages company virtually owned guatemala port atlantic ocean allowing company profits flow goods port company annual profits million dollars twice revenue government impact revolution long association government seen progress revolutionaries image worsened company policies colored workers thanks position country largest landowner employer reforms government affected companies things labor code passed government allowed workers strike demands higher wages job security met company saw specifically targeted reforms refused negotiate numerous sets despite frequently violation new laws company labor troubles compounded passed reform law acres company owned cultivated rest land idle came scope reform law lobbying efforts responded intensive lobbying members united_states government leading senators criticize government protecting interests company government responded saying company main obstacle progress country american historians observed appeared country exploited foreign interests took huge profits making contributions nation welfare acres land government offered company compensation rate dollars acre twice company paid bought property occurred soon bringing total acres government offered compensation company rate valued property tax purposes resulted lobbying washington particularly secretary state close ties company company begun public relations campaign discredit government hired public relations expert ran effort portray company victim government years company stepped efforts elected included commissioning research study guatemala firm known produced page report highly critical government historians stated report descriptions bizarre historical theories report nonetheless significant impact sent overall company spent half million dollars influence members public government needed overthrown cia instigated coup état political motivations addition lobbying factors led united_states launch coup toppled years revolution military occurred central american countries brought firmly anti communist governments power army officer major won staged elections el_salvador cuban dictator took power honduras land holdings extensive ruled anti communist government sympathetic united_states developments created tension governments exacerbated support support worried united_states newly formed according historian beginning cold war cia tended assume everybody opposed communist despite ban communist party important figures government believe revolutionary government communists danger years revolution reports circulated government agencies belief operation administration convinced government penetrated communists relied purely diplomatic economic means try reduce communist influence end term united_states refused sell arms government began block weapons purchases guatemala countries sufficiently convinced threat posed start planning covert overthrow titled plan originally suggested supported dictator nicaragua said given weapons overthrow government gave cia permission ahead plan informing state department cia placed shipment weapons vessel owned operation paid right wing anti communist dominican_republic venezuela respectively operation led state department discovered conspiracy secretary state persuaded plan operation november elected president campaign included pledge active anti communist policy figures administration including secretary state brother cia director close ties factors supporting overthrow cia operation overthrow code named operation authorized august operation granted budget million dollars warfare political action total budget estimated million dollars planning employed cia agents cia planning included drawing lists people government assassinated coup carried assassination techniques compiled lists people dispose considering candidates lead coup including cia settled state department embarked campaign ensure countries government linking communism soviet_union desperate weapons decided acquire secretly czechoslovakia time soviet country shipped weapons americas shipment weapons acted final spur cia launch coup invasion june led convoy trucks carrying men border honduras guatemala weapons come cia trained men camps nicaragua honduras army badly outnumbered army cia plan required camp border mounted psychological campaign convince people government victory campaign included catholic priests anti communist towns cia aircraft placing naval blockade country involved dropping airplane country carrying radio broadcast entitled voice liberation announced led shortly liberate country military force led attempted towns puerto beaten army propaganda broadcast cia far effect succeeded leading pilot defect led grounding entire air force fearing cia planes flown american pilots bomb towns psychological effect old planes invasion force found inadequate cia persuaded authorize use additional planes guatemala appeal united_nations vetoed investigation incident stating internal matter guatemala june cia plane bombed destroying government main oil reserves frightened ordered army distribute weapons local peasants workers army refused instead demanding resign come terms knowing fight support army resigned june handing power colonel ambassador negotiations held el_salvador army leadership led included ruling military july named provisional president days later recognized new government july elections held early october political parties barred participating candidate winning election vote outcomes meeting el_salvador planned new constitution progressive reform brought revolution aftermath following coup hundreds peasant leaders rounded executed stated general consensus today academics intellectuals signaled beginning state hemisphere state responsible torture murder thousand citizens following coup establishment military dictatorship series leftist began countryside frequently large degree popular support triggered lasted largest movements led poor largest point members civilians killed war numerous human rights violations committed including civilian populations rape aerial bombardment forced historians estimate violations committed united_states backed military included earth campaign indigenous maya population 1980s
Guatemalan Revolution