Final answer:
The U.S. got involved in Latin America for reasons such as containing communism, economic imperialism, and strategic concerns like the construction of the Panama Canal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. had several reasons for getting involved in Latin America. One reason was the desire to contain communist expansion, which led to a more interventionist approach in the 1950s and 1960s. For example, the U.S. viewed Guatemala as drifting toward communism due to its land reform program and legalized communist labor union. Another reason was economic imperialism, with U.S. corporations freely operating in Latin American countries and the U.S. intervening to protect its business interests. Additionally, strategic concerns also played a role, such as the construction of the Panama Canal.
Since the 1800s, the United States has invaded countries across Latin America and the Caribbean in an effort to protect both economic and political interests. This violent, aggressive policy has led to tens of thousands of civilian deaths and decades-long dictatorships.