"A Curative and Creative Force": The Exchange of Persons Program and Eisenhower's Inter-American Policies, 1953-1961

Abstract

This work examines the role of the State Department’s Leader and Specialist programs in realizing the Eisenhower administration’s (1953–1961) inter-American policies. Touted publically as a means of enhancing international goodwill, these two state-sponsored exchanges sought to cultivate more favorable views of the United States among foreign publics. The Leader programs invited foreigners to the United States for short-term visits, whereas the Specialist program financed extended travel for both foreign professionals going to the United States, and to Americans traveling overseas. In Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, U.S. officials emphasized the importance of persuading Latin Americans to reject economic nationalism in favor of free enterprise. Although U.S. officials attempted to direct the experiences of participants to maximize the likelihood of positive results, the programs failed to curb economic nationalism in the Americas. Nevertheless, these programs reflect the extent to which ideology and nationalism informed the policy making of U.S. officials during the early Cold War.