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After The Coup: An Ethnographic Reframing Of Guatemala 1954

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The 1954 coup in Guatemala was a watershed moment in the country's history. The coup, which was orchestrated by the United States, overthrew the democratically elected government of Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán and ushered in a period of military dictatorship that lasted for more than three decades.

The coup has been the subject of extensive research, but most studies have focused on the political and economic dimensions of the event. This article offers an ethnographic reframing of the coup, examining the ways in which it shaped the country's social and cultural landscape.

After the Coup: An Ethnographic Reframing of Guatemala 1954

by Timothy J. Smith

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The article draws on extensive fieldwork conducted in Guatemala over a period of two years. The research included interviews with survivors of the coup, as well as with their children and grandchildren. The article also draws on archival research and participant observation.

The Long Shadow Of The Coup

The 1954 coup had a profound impact on Guatemalan society. The coup led to the deaths of thousands of people, and it forced many others to flee the country. The coup also destroyed the country's democratic institutions and ushered in a period of military dictatorship that lasted for more than three decades.

The legacy of the coup can still be seen in Guatemala today. The country remains one of the most unequal in the world, and it is plagued by violence and corruption. The coup also had a profound impact on the country's indigenous population, who were targeted by the military government for genocide.

Everyday Life After The Coup

The coup had a profound impact on the everyday lives of Guatemalans. The military government imposed a strict curfew, and it banned all forms of political dissent. The government also controlled the media, and it used propaganda to spread its message.

The military government's policies had a devastating impact on the Guatemalan economy. The country's GDP declined by more than 50% during the 1960s, and the unemployment rate soared. The government's policies also led to a sharp increase in poverty and inequality.

The military government's policies also had a profound impact on the Guatemalan family. The government encouraged men to join the military, and it made it difficult for women to get jobs. The government also promoted traditional gender roles, and it discouraged women from participating in public life.

Resistance And Resilience

Despite the military government's efforts to suppress dissent, the Guatemalan people continued to resist. The country's indigenous population, who had been targeted by the government for genocide, organized a guerrilla movement that fought against the government for more than three decades.

The Guatemalan people also resisted the government through nonviolent means. They organized protests, they boycotted government-controlled businesses, and they refused to cooperate with the government's policies.

The Guatemalan people's resistance and resilience helped to bring about the end of the military dictatorship in 1985. The country has since made progress towards democracy, but the legacy of the coup continues to haunt the country.

The 1954 coup in Guatemala was a watershed moment in the country's history. The coup had a profound impact on the country's political, social, and economic landscape. The legacy of the coup can still be seen in Guatemala today.

This article has offered an ethnographic reframing of the coup, examining the ways in which it shaped the country's social and cultural landscape. The article has drawn on extensive fieldwork conducted in Guatemala over a period of two years. The research included interviews with survivors of the coup, as well as with their children and grandchildren. The article has also drawn on archival research and participant observation.

The article has shown that the coup had a profound impact on the everyday lives of Guatemalans. The coup led to the deaths of thousands of people, and it forced many others to flee the country. The coup also destroyed the country's democratic institutions and ushered in a period of military dictatorship that lasted for more than three decades.

The article has also shown that the Guatemalan people resisted the military government's efforts to suppress dissent. The country's indigenous population, who had been targeted by the government for genocide, organized a guerrilla movement that fought against the government for more than three decades. The Guatemalan people also resisted the government through nonviolent means. They organized protests, they boycotted government-controlled businesses, and they refused to cooperate with the government's policies.

After the Coup: An Ethnographic Reframing of Guatemala 1954

by Timothy J. Smith

4.3 out of 5