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THE HISTORY OF NICARAGUA tragically confirms the validity of Bolívar's mournful observation. That history is the subject of Misery in the Name of Freedom, first published in printed form in 1988. The second edition, available in PDF format via the links below, includes an epilogue which summarizes events up to the "electoral coup d'état" engineered by the United States in 1990.
The intended purpose of the book is to provide an introduction to the lengthy and often brutal history of United States intervention in Nicaragua, with a particular focus on the activities of the Reagan administration then in power and massively abusing it. A related purpose is to suggest a frame of reference for interpreting events in Latin America, generally, and possibly in other parts of the world.
Above all, it is a response to one of the most intensive propaganda attacks ever inflicted by one nation on another. The U.S. government has become increasingly sophisticated and expansive in its manipulation of public opinion, principally through the offices of the mainstream media. It is a crucial process in the conduct of foreign policy, and a matter of life and death to the people of any nation targeted as inimical to the "national interest" of the United States.
These and related subjects are noted in the table of contents reproduced below.
DOWNLOAD
The book is available in two variants —
as a single PDF document, or in three separate parts:
Single PDF Document
(9.2 MB)
Three PDF Documents
Part 1 (3.8 MB)
Part 2 (2.0 MB)
Part 3 (3.4 MB)
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CONTENTS
STARS & STRIPES WHEREVER
Manifest Destiny and the Nicaraguan Canal route. "Dollar Diplomacy". Occupation by U.S. Marines; protests at home. Revolt of Sandino. The "communist threat" of Mexico.
THE BLOOD OF THE PEOPLE
Somoza dynasty and La Guardia Nacional; usefulness to Washington. 1972 earthquake and political aftermath. Insurrection. Fall and legacy of Somoza.
THE SANDINISTA PROCESS
Provisional government. Conflict between Sandinistas and economic elite. Coals and achievements of the revolution. Effects of internal divisions and "Reagan Doctrine" on reconstruction.
AITACK OF THE REAGANITES
Nicaragua and the "post-Vietnam syndrome". Ascendancy of the New Right. CIA destabilization campaigns; the example of Chile. Origins and practices of CIA-contra terrorists. Economic aggression. The pro-contra opposition. Costs of the war.
PACKAGING THE ACTIVITY
Disinformation techniques employed by Reagan White House; basic themes. Complicity of mainstream press. Comparison of Nicaragua with the U.S. and its client-states. The "crazy quilt" of Nicaraguan society.
OBSTRUCTING INJUSTICE
U.S. solidarity movement. Vacillation of Congress; role of "moderates". Fallout from Iran/Contragate scandal. Reaganite violations of U.S. and international law; World Court ruling. International solidarity movement. Response of Latin America; Contadora group and Arias plan. Sabotage of peace initiatives; role of Congress and the press.
THE NEXT NICARAGUA
Alternative explanations for attack of the Reaganites. The future of "low intensity conflict" and covert opera-tions. Challenging the crusade: significance of congressional campaigns, role of solidarity movement. The future of a good example.
EPILOGUE
The United States continues to plague Nicaragua with various forms of military and economic aggression. The Sandinista process is interrupted in 1990 by an "electoral coup d'état".
APPENDIX
Information and Solidarity Resources
ENDNOTES
REFERENCES
INDEX
11 October 2015
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