World War I: Venezuela


Figure 1.--Here sailors on the gunboat 'USS Dubuque', formerly a minelayer visit the Venezuelan island of La Orchila and its beautiful beach in 1917. They seem to be quite an attraction to the local population. The snapshot came from a sailor's album. After convoy duty when America entered the War, 'Dubuque' she was sent to Caribbean. She then headed for the Caribbean where the United States had recenty purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark. She reached St. Thomas (August 3, 1917). 'Dubuque' served with the French division of the Caribbean Patrol, searching isolated harbors and inlets in the Caribbean and on the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia to ensure that German submarine were not using them (August-November 1917). .

Venezuela at the time of World War I was a poor South American.Caribbean country that unlike most of the region had been at the center of some serious international disputes. This jncluded one which had the potential to escalate into a serious confrontation between America and Britain. While Vezuela had serious issues with Britain, there were largely positive trading relations wih Germany. Like most South American countries, Venezuela during the late-19th century experienced political turmoil and dictatorial rule by a series of cauldillos (military strongmen). This continued into the early-20th century. These caudillos dominated the country and trampeled on individual rights. Their autocratic policies led to serious interntional incidents. Venezuela was strictly neutral throughout the War. President Juan Vicente Gomez is widely reported to have been pro-German. There was no way, however, he could join the Central Powers because of British comtrol of the seas. Strict neutrality was in a way helpful to the Germans. Some sources say that this was rumors spread by his political enemies. Strict Venezuelan neutrality irritated the Allies because the Government so rigidly insisted on its neutrality. The Government was determined to maintain relations with all belligerent countries. The government even allowed the Germans to use their radios at Maracaibo without any restriction. This was helpful because Germany without access to British controlled cabels and with losing its colonial outposts gradually lost communication with its oversseas posts and ships operationg around the world. The United States entered the War (1917). America's major concern in the Caribbean was the security of the Panama Canal. We note U.S. Navy ships to Venezuela at this time, perhaps as a show of naval power and with the French to search isolated locations to make sure German U-boats were not using them to resupply. We note naval calls to various ports throughout the Caribbean, both neutrl and Allied countries. The discovery of massive oil deposits in western Venezuela (Lake Maracaibo) during World War I would prove central to the country's future. It began the transformation of the economy, from a heavy dependence on agricultural exports to a reliance on petroleum--a single commodity, but a very important one. And as a result, the country would play an important role in World War II, supplying petroleum tgo the Allies war effort.

Turmoil and Dictatorship

Like most South American countries, Venezuela during the late-19th century experienced political turmoil and dictatorial rule by a series of cauldillos (military strongmen). General Cipriano Castro, a strong military commander (caudillo) from the Andean state of Táchira, marched on the capial in Caracas with a provincial army and seized control of the country. What followed was rule by five successive Táchira caudillos whch became known as the Andinos. Theu would contril the country for nearly 60 years, except a brief democratic interlude (1945–48). Castro ruled Venezuela for a decade (1899-1909). Like many Latin American cudillos, Castro's rule was notable for autocratic administrative tyranny, financial irresponsibility, corruption, and domestic discension. This became the pattern for the first half of the 20th century. These caudillos dominated the country and trampeled on individual rights. Cipriano Castro, assisted by his ally Juan Vicente Gómez, seized power in Caracas (1899). Castro was overthrown by his ally, Gómez (1908). One author decribes President Gómez asparticularly tyranical because he attacked the press. Their autocratic policies led to serious interntional incidents.

International Incidents

Venezuela at the time of World War I was a poor South American.Caribbean country that unlike most of the region had been at the center of some serious international disputes. This jncluded one which had the potential to escalate into a serious confrontation between America and Britain.

Guyana crisis (1886)

The first major international even involving Venezuela erupted (1886). There was a long-standing dispute dispute with Britain concerning the border of British Guiana (modern Guyana). Gold had been discovered in the area. Modern diplmatic relations had not yet coalesed. Many Americans still saw Britain as a dangerous power. The British still had good relations with the now unified Germans and were suspicious of thee French. President Cleveland saw the dispute as a challenge to the Monroe Doctrine. There was danger a conflict between America and Britain might break out. Saner minds prevailed. The United States persuaded Britain to submit the case to an arbitration tribunal. The resulting award gave the the larger share of the disputed territory to Britain.

Venezuela Crisis (1902–03)

Castro's military chief, General Juan Vicente Gómez, brutally put down one of several rebellions asainst his autocratic regime. Castro dealt with foreigners as arbitrarly as he did his own people. treatment of foreign businessmen and diplomats was topped by his refusal to reimburse foreigners for properties that were damaged in domestic insurrections. Castro beset with financial pronlems, defaulted on Venezuela's sizeable foreign debts. He declined to pay compensation to European lenders for damage their national suffered as aesukt of domestic fighting. The result was the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–03. Britain, Germany and Italy imposed a naval blockade lasting several months to forece compensation. There was two incidents of shelling the blockded ports. Again the United States intervened leadingto the Roosevelt Coralary to the Monroe Doctrine. This time Germany inderKaiser Wilhelm was paticularlytruculent. President Roosevelt made it clear to Kaiser Wilhelm that the United States was prepared for war over the issue, but did so in non-public contcts gicing the Kaiser the opportuniy to back off without embarassment. Finally international arbitration at the new Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague reached a compromise arrangement. The ruling favored the Europeans.

Dutch dispute (1908)

A dispute broke out with the Netherlands (1908). The Dutch unlike the British, Germans, and Italianns did not have a powerful navy, but did have a few ships. Again rebels and unresloved issues with the Americans nd British resulted in naval displays and embargoes. This threatened the Curaçao economy and the Dutch sent a naval squadorn that seized a Venezuelan port and attacked the small, poorly equipped Venezuelan Navy. The dispute was was resolved when Castro left for medical treatment in Germany and was overthrown by his former ally, Juan Vicente Gómez. Gomez would retain power for nearly 30 years. Gómez deposed Castro nd set up a more stable dictatorship than his mentor. He began to pay off the country’s by now very sizeable debts. The small island of La Orchila north of Caracas was part of the Curaçao group, but the Dutch decided it was not worth it to challenge the Spnish/Venezuekan claim.

Relations with Germany

While Vezuela had serious issues with Britain, there were largely positive trading relations wih Germany.

Neutrality

Venezuela was strictly neutral throughout the War. President Juan Vicente Gomez is widely reported to have been pro-German. Some sources report that President Gómez forced Venezuelan newspaers to adopt pro-German stances. Papers favoringthe Allies, like El Fonógrafo were closed.[ Pocaterra] There was no way, however, he could join the Central Powers because of British comtrol of the seas. Strict neutrality was in a way helpful to the Germans. Some sources say that this was rumors spread by his political enemies. Strict Venezuelan neutrality irritated the Allies because the Government so rigidly insisted on its neutrality. The Government was determined to maintain relations with all belligerent countries. The government even allowed the Germans to use their radios at Maracaibo without any restriction. This was helpful because Germany without access to British controlled cabels and with losing its colonial outposts gradually lost communication with its oversseas posts and ships operationg around the world.

American Caribbean Policy

The United States entered the War (1917). America's major concern in the Caribbean was the security of the Panama Canal. We note U.S. Navy ships to Venezuela at this time, perhaps ae a show of naval power and to make sure that German U-boars were not sheltering and resupplying in isolated locations. The Germans could not ger torpedoes there, but they good get fuel, food, snd water. We note naval calls to various ports throughout the Caribbean, both neutrl and Allied countries. Here we see the USS Dubuque calling at the tiny Venezuelan Caribbean islet of La Orchila in 1917 (figure 1).

Oil Discoveries

The discovery of massive oil deposits in western Venezuela (Lake Maracaibo) during World War I would prove central to the country's future. President Gómez learned that foreign geologists had discovered large quantities of petroleum. He met with foreign oil companies and asked for development projects. He made it clear that what he wanted a partnership with the government to produce petroleum. The oil began the transformation of the economy, from a heavy dependence on agricultural exports to a reliance on petroleum--a single commodity, but a very important one. And as a result, the country would play an important role in World War II, supplying petroleum tgo the Allied war effort.

Sources

Pocaterra, José Rafael. Memorias de un Venezolano de la decadencia. "







HBC









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Created: 11:12 PM 5/29/2013
Last updated: 11:12 PM 5/29/2013