Matt

Does anyone remember where the term "banana republic" came from? There is a historical background to the term, I believe. Thanks.

Erin

Good question. From what I remember, a "banana republic" usually refers to a Central/South American country where the policy-making decisions were influenced by the foreign-based, controlling interest in its leading industry. I can't remember what South/Central American country it was, but at some point, Chiquita (the banana company) was practically controlling the entire country! Usually these foreign based companies were US-based and were not above bribing officials, and during revolutions they would deploy the US military to "protect" their interests. <BR> <BR>Sorry, I got on my political soapbox. Anybody care to add to this? <BR>

graziella

Erin...you got it right, I guess the most famous foreign company was the United Fruit. <BR>The countries were mostly Central American countries....Graziella

Allen

The role of the United Fruit Company (later to become Chiquita Banana Co.) in the June 1954 CIA-sponsored overthrow of the duly-elected government of Jacobo Arbenz - complete with the straffing of Guatemala City by unmarked planes piloted by American mercenaries - is how the term "banana republic" came to be. At the time, UFCo owned more than half-a-million acres of the arable land in Guatemala (of which only 15% was in production at any given time). Arbenz wanted to turn over some of that land to the campesinos, and offered to buy land from UFCo (buy - not appropriate) at $3.00 an acre. UFCo wanted more (if they wanted to sell at all), and took the case to the Dulles brothers - their friends in high places (John Foster Dulles was then U.S. Secretary of State, and Allen Foster Dulles was head of the CIA). The Guatemalan government suddenly found itself bargining not with UFCo, but with the US Government, which wanted $75 an acre. No agreement was possible (it's doubtful that UFCo or the US really wanted one), and "Operation Success" was begun, with a ragtag group of mercenaries supplied by the CIA. And the rest, as they say, is history. Of course, history can and does repeat itself (cf. the Contras and Nicaragua, and Granada). More on this (as well as a wonderful travelogue exploring of the early Mayan empire and its contemporay descendents) can be found in Ronald Wright's marvelous "Time Among the Maya." <BR> <BR>So much for the history lesson. I came upon this posting because I'm thinking of heading down to Guatemala very soon soon, and could use some advice. Other than two days in Tikal, I've never been to Guatemala. I'm thinking of basing myself in Antigua for a week, with one day excursions to outlying areas. Any suggestions? Also, is Antigua safe at night? People tell me it's okay there, as long as you don't go out at night, but if I can't go out at night I'd rather not go at all. A quick response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

don foster

Addendum to previous msg.- the US inspired overthrow of the Arbenz government must be understood in the context of the Cold War. While it is true that several key members of the Eisenhower Administration had vested intrests in Guatemalan politics through stock ownership in UFCO, Arbenz also made the mistake of trying to evade an American arms embargo by bringing in Czech arms shipments disquised as "farm equiptment". This drove the paranoids in Washington over the edge. Shzeez! Ask a simple word origin question and get back volumes of political diatribe!

ticophile

The previous two answers are both interesting and correct, but the term "banana republic" predates 1954 by many years. UF was a power through Central America starting in the early years of the century. They had little trouble influencing government decisions, either because they employed so many people, or because of the judicious use of bribes. Teddy Roosveldt, I believe, was the first prominent politician to use the term.

graziella

Thanks Tecophile, you confirm my believe that the United Fruit was a political factor not in one but in several Central American countries. <BR>Thanks Graziella.

john

Having lived in Banana Republics much of my life--Honduras, La Ceiba--and Guatemala, Guatemala--and Mexico--Yucatan, I can tell you that it was the Standard Fruit Co. not the United Fruit Co. They (North Americans) built railways from the fields to the coasts for export to the usa and beyond, but stangely enough most of the seabearing vessels are of Dutch, German or Scandanavian origen and the sailors/shippers speak little or no English and NO spanish! The term merely applied to the USA and NA occupation of the lands where the fruit readily grows. Do you folks realize that latinos in banana republics take offense to the term and yet have six different terms for the varities of bananas--platanos. minimos.machos.bananas y chiquitas--just as Eskimos have several words for snow! You will not endear yourself to us if you refer to our nations as banana republics as the implication is of USA intervention into our politics/theft of our natural resouces/slavery of our people/and terratenientes who are cruel, ruthless, and selfish--Standard Fruit Co.--then United Fruit...Antigua at night is safe as it is full of expatriates and old hippies, yet avoid Zona 1 a 4 in Guate, Guate or Huehuetenango or the northern plateau unless travelling with locals....I lived in Zona 13 by the airport Aurora and had NO problems. Only find problems in other areas if you look for trouble or do not speak the language or have very bad luck--but when in L.A. I do avoid 4th and Main off Wilshire Blvd.!!

PG

This term originated from the Caribbean where small island states grew bananas, robbed and oppressed their people and listened carefully to the American ambassadors.

Cleverclogs

Actually it is the name of a low quality clothes store owned by "The GAP" based mainly in the USA.

JRinPV

For those interested in history, the name Minor Cooper Keith is the most prominent in the early 'Banana Republics'.<BR>See bioBR>http://www.stanford.edu/~mbucheli/keith.html

Fruit

United Fruit lost its holdings to Castro in Cuba when he nationalized land, banks and other institutions.<BR><BR>

s.francis

Re the streets of Antigua...as long as you stay in the area around the central park at night...away from the outskirts of town you should do fine....a lone woman late at night walking not in the downtown area when there has been lots of drinking is another matter....Do wear a moneybelt...