Credit: Hulton Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images

Historical Insights Coups in Honduras

The expansion of the banana industry in Honduras launched the first organized labor movements and major strikes in the nation’s history. About 1905, The Caribbean. Credit: Hulton Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images

Coups in Honduras

Decades of heavy-handed U.S. intervention in Honduras incited a pervasive, bloody rebellion during the early 1900s.

By the 20th century, American companies had established expansive fruit plantations in Honduras. The United States received 75 percent of the country’s exports, while hundreds of thousands of locals relied on plantations for wages. The exploitative relationship gave rise to frustration among Hondurans, exacerbated by the 1920 installation of an American-friendly president who protected U.S. business interests over those of his country. When Honduras stopped cooperating, the United States blocked their exports and the country dissolved into chaos—widespread looting and violence ensued. Thousands joined the rebellions, unleashing their pent-up vexations. The American marines and sailors that arrived to protect plantations failed to quell the violence. Over the next three years, 17 uprisings took place. The poor in isolated rural areas endured violence from the sidelines as scores perished in the capital city. In 1925, tenuous order returned when the United States lifted its economic embargo on fruit, but discord would plague the country for decades.

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The term “banana republic” was first used by American writer O. Henry, who was influenced by his experiences in Honduras. Originally, the phrase was defined as a small unstable country that is controlled by a foreign power or whose economy depends on a single export (like bananas).
The term “banana republic” was first used by American writer O. Henry, who was influenced by his experiences in Honduras. Originally, the phrase was defined as a small unstable country that is controlled by a foreign power or whose economy depends on a single export (like bananas). About 1905, The Caribbean. Credit: Hulton Archive/Print Collector/Getty Images
Civil wars and coups were a part of everyday life in Honduras in the early 1900s. More than 200 armed conflicts took place between the time Honduras gained independence from Spain in the 1830s, to the time a stable government was established in 1918. Much of the conflict is attributed to U.S. intervention.
Civil wars and coups were a part of everyday life in Honduras in the early 1900s. More than 200 armed conflicts took place between the time Honduras gained independence from Spain in the 1830s, to the time a stable government was established in 1918. Much of the conflict is attributed to U.S. intervention. 1927, Central America. Credit: Photo 12/Universal Images Group/UIG via Getty Images
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt famously declared, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.” This militaristic mindset defined the country’s relationship with Central America during the 20th century.
U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt famously declared, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.” This militaristic mindset defined the country’s relationship with Central America during the 20th century. 1904, United States. Credit: William Allen Rogers/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The conflicts of the era were dubbed the Banana Wars, as U.S. troops invaded countries across Central America to protect their burgeoning fruit plantations from rebelling locals.
The conflicts of the era were dubbed the Banana Wars, as U.S. troops invaded countries across Central America to protect their burgeoning fruit plantations from rebelling locals. 1913, United States. Credit: Buyenlarge/Archive Photos/Getty Images
By the turn of the 19th century, Honduras was buried under the equivalent of 120 million dollars of debt. This was a threat to the country’s stability (and the security of U.S businesses there). In 1909, the United States took over much of the debt in exchange for more control over railroads and custom houses.
By the turn of the 19th century, Honduras was buried under the equivalent of 120 million dollars of debt. This was a threat to the country’s stability (and the security of U.S businesses there). In 1909, the United States took over much of the debt in exchange for more control over railroads and custom houses. About 1920, Honduras. Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images