Violence in El Salvador Leading to Civil War
External factors were responsible for the civil unrest in El Salvador. Economic growth in Salvador led to social inequalities. Eventually, the country experienced class divisions. The United States initiated the Alliance for Progress program to the perceived threat by communism in Latin America. The cold war motivated the United States to take initiatives that would enable El Salvador to achieve the most desirable dominance in the region. The primary focus of the action was expanding social developments and military assistance. Such factors fueled social unrest that caused an open conflict by the mid-1970s. Eventually, the events resulted in a bloody civil that lasted for more than a decade. Although some historians may consider internal factors as the major causes of civil war in El Salvador, the policies adopted by the United States played an instrumental role.
Modernization strategies adopted by the United States were instrumental in the emergence of violence in El Salvador. Brzezinski wrote the letter to the Pope, mentioning that the series of modernization in Central America created pressure in El Salvador (1). The weak political and social system could not deal with emerging demands. Instead of using amicable ways to address the challenges, the poor administration at El Salvador embarked on repression strategies. Brzezinski noted that the members of the extreme left took advantage of the existing weaknesses to seize opportunities to launch violence and terrorism (1). Such initiatives played a significant role in undermining peace and order in the region. Besides, the extreme left groups aimed at institution repressive and totalitarian administration strategies. Some approaches, like the Cuban intervention, polarized the societies in El Salvador (Brzezinski 1). The results experienced were violence and obliteration of ranks. The letter by Brzezinski affirms that the viciousness in El Salvador emerged from external factors. Therefore, transformation strategies adopted by the United States created conducive conditions for the emergence of violence in El Salvador.
Foreign policies adopted by Jimmy Carter’s administration were instrumental in the emergence of violence in El Salvador. Romero wrote a cautionary letter to Jimmy Carter to warn him of the dangers of arming El Salvador (1). Romero felt that the decision to train three battalions in El Salvador in logistics, communication, and intelligence motivated the residents to engage in violence. Besides, Romeo felt that if Carter’s administration involved in such activities, then the United States was responsible for the increased injustice in El Salvador. According to Romero, .the decision to support militant groups in El Salvador undermined peace and justice (1). Such thoughts show that the United States had a direct impact and influence on ferocity in the region. Therefore, Romeo wrote a letter to President Jimmy Carter to show that the military actions taken were responsible for the violence observed in El Salvador.
In summary, the policies adopted by the United States played an instrumental role in the emergence of increased violence in El Salvador. The letter by Brzezinski affirms that the viciousness in El Salvador emerged from external factors. Besides, Romeo’s letter to President Jimmy Carter shows that the military actions taken were responsible for the violence observed in El Salvador.
Works Cited
Brzezinski, Zbigniew. “Draft Letter.” received by Pope, 1980.
Romero. “Text of Archbishop’s Letter to President Carter.” received by Jimmy Carter, 1980.