The Massacre of Tlatelolco on October the 2nd 1968 on the Plaza de las Tres Culturas is generally acknowledged to have been a watershed for Mexico’s history. Some call it Mexico’s Tiananmen Square to emphasize the political long of the participants for more democracy. However, it can’t be doubted that the massacre was the climax of Mexico’s state repression during the 70s. The incidents of Tlatelolco had deep impact on Mexico’s political life and on the international perception of Mexico.
By these days, Mexico is the biggest Spanish speaking country in Latin America with enormous economic and historical ties to the United States. The Mexican United States common history has often been depicted by mistrust and mutual suspicion. Nevertheless, the relations between the two countries did vary. During the beginning of the 19th century economic cooperation between Porfirio Diaz and the US administration reached a never known efficiency, where as in the 40s during the Lázaro Cardenas administration the expropriation of the Oil industry caused tremendous confrontation.
With the degree of cooperation also varied the degree of America influence on Mexico’s decision-making process and thus on its history. Due to this constant influence, one who researches the incidents of Tlatelolco therefore has to look on Mexican-American-relations to understand in how far the United States could have been involved or what part the United States has played in the massacre of Tlatelolco.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Framing the historical Circumstances from outside and inside
- Mexico and US relations in the international arena
- Mexico historical development until the massacre of 68
- The student movement of 1968
- The US and its role in the massacre of 68
- Interests
- US perception of the Student Movement
- US perception of the Diaz Ordaz Administration
- After Tlatelolco
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate the role of the United States in the Tlatelolco massacre of 1968, examining the existing evidence to assess the degree of US involvement. It avoids unfounded conclusions, focusing instead on presenting a balanced account of US perception of the events and its relationship with Mexico at the time.
- US-Mexican relations in the context of Cold War politics.
- The historical development of Mexico leading up to 1968.
- The nature and goals of the 1968 student movement.
- The US government's perspective on the Diaz Ordaz administration.
- Analysis of declassified US documents related to the Tlatelolco massacre.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction establishes the context of the Tlatelolco massacre, highlighting its significance in Mexican history and its comparison to Tiananmen Square. It emphasizes the complex history of US-Mexican relations and the need to examine this relationship to understand potential US involvement in the massacre. The author anticipates that while no direct US involvement will be proven, the paper will explore the existing ties between the US and the Mexican government and military.
Framing the historical Circumstances from outside and inside: This chapter sets the stage for understanding the Tlatelolco massacre by analyzing the historical context of US-Mexican relations and Mexico's internal political development. The discussion of US-Mexican relations emphasizes the fluctuating levels of cooperation and conflict throughout history, influenced by broader international dynamics, particularly the Cold War. The section on Mexico's historical development provides background on the PRI's role and the balancing act Mexico navigated between its revolutionary heritage and the need to maintain relations with the US.
The student movement of 1968: This chapter would delve into a detailed analysis of the student movement of 1968 in Mexico, outlining its goals, grievances, and the events leading to the mass demonstrations. It would likely explore the socio-political climate of the time and the factors that fueled student activism.
The US and its role in the massacre of 68: This section would analyze US involvement, focusing on US interests in Mexico, its perception of the student movement and the Diaz Ordaz administration. It would be based heavily on declassified documents from the US Embassy in Mexico, Department of Defense, White House, and CIA. The analysis would carefully evaluate the evidence presented in these documents, discerning the official US view while acknowledging limitations in the available sources and potential biases.
Keywords
Tlatelolco massacre, Mexico, United States, US-Mexico relations, Cold War, student movement, Diaz Ordaz, PRI, Cold War, declassified documents, international relations, political repression.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of US Involvement in the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a preview of a paper investigating the United States' role in the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico. It analyzes US-Mexican relations during the Cold War and examines declassified documents to assess the extent of US involvement, focusing on presenting a balanced account rather than drawing unfounded conclusions.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including US-Mexican relations within the Cold War context, Mexico's historical development leading up to 1968, the goals and nature of the 1968 student movement, the US government's perspective on the Diaz Ordaz administration, and an analysis of declassified US documents related to the massacre.
What is the objective of the research?
The main objective is to investigate the degree of US involvement in the Tlatelolco massacre by examining available evidence. The paper aims to provide a balanced assessment of US perception of the events and its relationship with Mexico at the time, avoiding unsubstantiated claims.
What sources are used in the analysis?
The analysis relies heavily on declassified US documents from various sources, including the US Embassy in Mexico, the Department of Defense, the White House, and the CIA. The document acknowledges the limitations and potential biases inherent in such sources.
What is covered in each chapter?
The Introduction sets the context of the massacre and the US-Mexico relationship. The chapter on Framing the historical Circumstances analyzes US-Mexican relations and Mexico's internal political development leading up to 1968. The chapter on the student movement details the movement's goals and events. The chapter on US involvement analyzes US interests, perceptions, and actions based on declassified documents. The paper concludes with a summary of findings.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Tlatelolco massacre, Mexico, United States, US-Mexico relations, Cold War, student movement, Diaz Ordaz, PRI, declassified documents, international relations, political repression.
Will the paper prove direct US involvement in the massacre?
The paper anticipates that while it may not definitively prove direct US involvement, it will thoroughly explore the existing ties between the US and the Mexican government and military to understand the context and potential influence.
How does this paper compare the Tlatelolco Massacre to other events?
The introduction mentions a comparison of the Tlatelolco massacre to Tiananmen Square, highlighting its significance in Mexican history and the broader context of political repression.
- Citar trabajo
- Nicolas Martin (Autor), 2006, The Massacre of Tlatelolco - The role of the United States in the incidents of 1968, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57180
