The First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from January 20 to April 27, 1890, was largely the realization of a long-held vision by United States Secretary of State James G. Blaine. His initial idea for an Inter-American Conference emerged in 1881, driven by a complex mix of national interest and a broader continental philosophy. Blaine believed the time was right for the United States to assert diplomatic leadership
in the Western Hemisphere, aiming to foster closer ties and stability among American nations.
Blaine's Early Ambitions and Setbacks
Blaine's initial motivation in 1881, during his first tenure as Secretary of State under President James A. Garfield, was primarily focused on preventing war between the nations of the Hemisphere. He saw the New World as a potential beacon of hope and progress, distinct from the constant conflicts and rivalries he observed in the Old World. This perspective was particularly relevant given the tensions in South America following the War of the Pacific, where Blaine believed that effective mechanisms for conflict resolution could prevent European intervention.
He extended invitations to all nations in the Hemisphere in November 1881, with the explicit goal of discussing methods to avoid war. However, this early initiative was cut short by the assassination of President Garfield in September 1881. The new President, Chester A. Arthur, who was not aligned with Blaine, quickly removed him from the State Department. Consequently, the conference invitations were withdrawn, citing an unsettled domestic and international situation as the reason.
The Evolution of Blaine's Vision: Commerce and Stability
Even as a private citizen, Blaine continued to advocate for his Inter-American Conference. He articulated a second, equally significant motive for the conference: commercial relations. In an article titled "The Foreign Policy of the Garfield Administration," Blaine argued that increased commercial interdependence would lead to greater growth and stability, thereby promoting peace. This linked his initial peace-keeping objective with a clear economic agenda.
Blaine recognized that it was in the self-interest of the United States to cultivate new markets within the Hemisphere. To achieve this, he proposed an American customs union, or "zollverein," which would prioritize inter-American trade over trade with Europe, especially England. He believed that this greater isolation of America from Europe would reduce the likelihood of the United States needing to defend the Monroe Doctrine, thus serving both economic and strategic interests.
Overcoming Obstacles and the Conference's Commercial Emphasis
Blaine's ideas did not immediately gain traction with the administrations of Chester Arthur or Grover Cleveland. However, he garnered support from influential businessmen, as well as church and peace groups, who lobbied Congress. This sustained pressure eventually led Congress to adopt a resolution on May 24, 1888, urging a reluctant President Grover Cleveland to convene the conference. Cleveland's Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, sent out invitations in July 1888, late in Cleveland's term, scheduling the conference for his successor's presidency.
When Benjamin Harrison became president, he reappointed Blaine as Secretary of State and encouraged him to proceed with the conference. By this point, the commercial motivation had become openly intertwined with, and at times seemed to overshadow, the original goal of peaceful dispute resolution. This shift was evident in the composition of the U.S. delegation, which was the largest with ten members, most of whom came from commerce and industry. Before the conference officially began, thirty-six Latin American delegates were taken on a six-week train tour across the United States, a strategic move designed to build camaraderie and showcase American industrial capabilities. This blend of diplomatic ambition and economic pragmatism ultimately shaped the First International Conference of American States, laying foundational, albeit sometimes contentious, groundwork for future inter-American relations.
