Abby Rowe, Public Domain
This is an approximately 21-minute-long speech written and given by President John F. Kennedy on March 13, 1961, in which he proposes the “Alliance for Progress,” a new program for United States aid to Latin American countries, which would define American foreign policy through 1970 and be officially dissolved in 1973. It was paired alongside the Agency for Economic Development with the goal of promoting democracy and social reform in Latin America, in hopes of stopping Marxism in its tracks.
Kennedy outlines a ten-point plan in the speech, which would become the foundation of the program. It would be fleshed out in a later meeting. The plan entails drastically increasing quality of life, access to food, economic growth, increased education, as well as a gesture of military protection, among other points.
Kennedy’s desire for a change in foreign policy stems out of fear of Cuba spreading Marxism further into the region, and a desire to protect American investments in the wealth of natural resources present in the region. Resources include “tropical” produce, a variety of precious metals and minerals, sugar, coffee, and most importantly for the context of relations with Chile, copper, which it was and still is one of the world’s largest producers of the metal. The content reflects his liberal reform ideals to an enormous degree, essentially forsaking realism in favor of a borderline utopian proposal. A likely factor in the failure of the program is his time with it was cut short, and Johnson was not as passionate about it.
“If we are to meet a problem so staggering in its dimensions, our approach must itself be equally bold — an approach consistent with the majestic concept of Operation Pan America. Therefore I have called on all people of the hemisphere to join in a new Alliance for Progress — Alianza para Progreso –a vast cooperative effort, unparalleled in magnitude and nobility of purpose, to satisfy the basic needs of the American people for homes, work and land, health and schools — techo, trabajo y tierra, salud y escuela.
“First, I propose that the American Republics begin on a vast new Ten Year Plan for the Americas, a plan to transform the 1960’s into a historic decade of democratic progress.
These 10 years will be the years of maximum progress-maximum effort, the years when the greatest obstacles must be overcome, the years when the need for assistance will be the greatest.
And if we are successful, if our effort is bold enough and determined enough, then the close of this decade will mark the beginning of a new era in the American experience. The living standards of every American family will be on the rise, basic education will be available to all, hunger will be a forgotten experience, the need for massive outside help will have passed, most nations will have entered a period of self-sustaining growth, and though there will be still much to do, every American Republic will be the master of its own revolution and its own hope and progress.
Let me stress that only the most determined efforts of the American nations themselves can bring success to this effort. They, and they alone, can mobilize their resources, enlist the energies of their people, and modify their social patterns so that all, and not just a privileged few, share in the fruits of growth. If this effort is made, then outside assistance will give vital impetus to progress; without it, no amount of help will advance the welfare of the people.
Thus if the countries of Latin America are ready to do their part, and I am sure they are, then I believe the United States, for its part, should help provide resources of a scope and magnitude sufficient to make this bold development plan a success — just as we helped to provide, against equal odds nearly, the resources adequate to help rebuild the economies of Western Europe. For only an effort of towering dimensions can ensure fulfillment of our plan for a decade of progress.
Secondly, I will shortly request a ministerial meeting of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council, a meeting at which we can begin the massive planning effort which will be at the heart of the Alliance for Progress.
For if our Alliance is to succeed, each Latin nation must formulate long-range plans for its own development, plans which establish targets and priorities, ensure monetary stability, establish the machinery for vital social change, stimulate private activity and initiative, and provide for a maximum national effort. These plans will be the foundation of our development effort, and the basis for the allocation of outside resources.
A greatly strengthened IA-ECOSOC, working with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Inter-American Development Bank, can assemble the leading economists and experts of the hemisphere to help each country develop its own development plan — and provide a continuing review of economic progress in this hemisphere.
Third, I have this evening signed a request to the Congress for $500 million as a first step in fulfilling the Act of Bogotá. This is the first large-scale Inter-American effort, instituted by my predecessor President Eisenhower, to attack the social barriers which block economic progress. The money will be used to combat illiteracy, improve the productivity and use of their land, wipe out disease, attack archaic tax and land tenure structures, provide educational opportunities, and offer a broad range of projects designed to make the benefits of increasing abundance available to all. We will begin to commit these funds as soon as they are appropriated.
Fourth, we must support all economic integration which is a genuine step toward larger markets and greater competitive opportunity. The fragmentation of Latin American economies is a serious barrier to industrial growth. Projects such as the Central American common market and free trade areas in South America can help to remove these obstacles.
Fifth, the United States is ready to cooperate in serious, case-by-case examinations of commodity market problems. Frequent violent change in commodity prices seriously injure the economies of many Latin American countries, draining their resources and stultifying their growth. Together we must find practical methods of bringing an end to this pattern.
Sixth, we will immediately step up our Food for Peace emergency program, help establish food reserves in areas of recurrent drought, help provide school lunches for children, and offer feed grains for use in rural development. For hungry men and women cannot wait for economic discussions or diplomatic meetings — their need is urgent — and their hunger rests heavily on the conscience of their fellow men.
Seventh, all the people of the hemisphere must be allowed to share in the expanding wonders of science — wonders which have captured man’s imagination, challenged the powers of his mind, and given him the tools for rapid progress. I invite Latin American scientists to work with us in new projects in fields such as medicine and agriculture, physics and astronomy, and desalinization, to help plan for regional research laboratories in these and other fields, and to strengthen cooperation between American universities and laboratories.
We also intend to expand our science teacher training programs to include Latin American instructors, to assist in establishing such programs in other American countries, and translate and make available revolutionary new teaching materials in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, so that the young of all nations may contribute their skills to the advance of science.
Eighth, we must rapidly expand the training of those needed to man the economies of rapidly developing countries. This means expanded technical training programs, for which the Peace Corps, for example, will be available when needed. It also means assistance to Latin American universities, graduate schools, and research institutes.
We welcome proposals in Central America for intimate cooperation in higher education — cooperation which can achieve a regional effort or increased effectiveness and excellence. We are ready to help fill the gap in trained manpower, realizing that our ultimate goal must be a basic education for all who wish to learn.
Ninth, we reaffirm our pledge to come to the defense of any American nation whose independence is endangered. As its confidence in the collective security system of the OAS spreads, it will be possible to devote to constructive use a major share of those resources now spent on the instruments of war. Even now, as the government of Chile has said, the time has come to take the first steps toward sensible limitations of arms. And the new generation of military leaders has shown an increasing awareness that armies cannot only defend their countries — they can, as we have learned through our own Corps of Engineers, they can help to build them.
Tenth, we invite our friends in Latin America to contribute to the enrichment of life and culture in the United States. We need teachers of your literature and history and tradition, opportunities for our young people to study in your universities, access to your music, your art, and the thought of your great philosophers. For we know we have much to learn.
In this way you can help bring a fuller spiritual and intellectual life to the people of the United States — and contribute to understanding and mutual respect among the nations of the hemisphere.
With steps such as these, we propose to complete the revolution of the Americas, to build a hemisphere where all men can hope for a suitable standard of living, and all can live out their lives in dignity and in freedom.”
Kennedy, John Fitzgerald. “Address at a White House Reception for Members of Congress and for the Diplomatic Corps of the Latin American Republics, March 13, 1961.” March 13, 1961. The White House, Washington DC, USA. Audio Tape/Reel, 20:58. https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHA/1961/JFKWHA-017-004/JFKWHA-017-004
Kennedy, John Fitzgerald “Address at a White House Reception for Members of Congress and for the Diplomatic Corps of the Latin American Republics, March 13, 1961.” Transcript of speech delivered at The White House, Washington DC, USA, March 13, 1961. https://www.jfklibrary.org/archives/other-resources/john-f-kennedy-speeches/latin-american-diplomats-washington-dc-19610313
