Examine FIVE reasons for the USA’S invasion in Grenada. 25 marks.

INTRODUCTION - Lay the foundation for the essay-

Grenada is a small Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles. It is known as the spice
island, for its abundance of ginger, cloves and nutmegs etc. This unassuming small island
state was once invaded by American military forces. Why would this small, beautiful and
unassuming nation be invaded by foreigners? For the following reasons: the execution of the
Prime Minister, to exert US power, to protect Americans living in Grenada, to satisfy
concerned Caribbean Countries and to prevent communism from flourishing. – THESIS
STATEMENT
In 1979, Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and his new Jewel Movement took power.
He was beloved by the Grenadian people because of his governments social reform policies.
However, many in his government thought he needed to be more extreme and establish more
socialist policies. Matters came to a head on October 13, 1983 when the Deputy Prime
Minister ceased power from him, six days later Maurice Bishop was executed. To the United
States this was a flagrant abuse warranting intervention under the Roosevelt Corollary. This
policy stated that the US could intervene in a country when there was evidence of ‘chronic
wrongdoing’. The execution of Grenada’s Prime Minister was a clear case of violation of a
‘civilised society’.
By intervening in Grenada and sending her forces to the island she sought to
strengthen her position as world power. By this time the United States was the most powerful
country in the Western Hemisphere, having expanded her economic interests into both Latin
America and the Caribbean. However, she had not intervened in the Caribbean since the
1960s and now needed to a show of force to exert her power and control over the region.
In addition to this, the Americans had established in Grenada, the St George’s
University School of Medicine. This meant that a number of Americans now lived on the
island as staff and students of the school. The US intervened to protect the property of
Americans; the school itself and the lives of Americans living and working on the island.
Intervening in the political situation would safeguard American lives and property.
Another reason for invasion was that the Commonwealth Caribbean heads of
government were also fearful of the threat to their national safety. They were aware that they
did not have the resources to deal with a coup d’etat in Grenada. Therefore, Caribbean Heads
of Government appealed to the United States for military assistance to restore democracy to
Grenada. They also did not want to be seen as supporters of a budding communist state.
The final reason for intervention was that the Maurice Bishop government had
abandoned elections in Grenada, created a large military force and had asked for and received
Cuba’s help to build an international airport on the island, all signs of a country turning
toward communism and abandoning democracy. These activities made the US afraid that
Grenada might follow Cuba’s path to communism and this may even spread to other
Caribbean countries, which the US could not allow to happen because she saw herself as a
champion of democracy. Therefore, the Americans wanted to prevent the establishment of
another communist regime in the region, having failed to prevent Cuba from turning to
communism.
CONCLUSION – Add any relevant details and summarize your main points
On October 25, 1983 Operation Urgent Fury which included troops from several
Caribbean islands along with American marines, rangers and para troopers complete with
warships and aircraft carriers landed in Grenada, the first military intervention in the British
Caribbean. Cuban workers and Grenadian troops unsuccessfully resisted the invading forces
and within a week the Americans had restored order to the country. The governor General of
Grenada formed an interim government and democracy was restored to the island. America’s
mission of preventing another Cuba was complete. In view of the foregoing, it is evident that
the Americans invaded Grenada to prevent another Cuba, flex her military muscles, help
Caribbean countries and protect American investments in Grenada.

Mark Scheme for Essays/ Letters/ Newspaper Articles

Knowledge - /5 - listing your points, thesis statement
Use of Knowledge - /15
NB – Most important, your explanation of your points, give relevant examples here.
Communication- /5 spelling, grammar and organization of points
Total 25 marks
Exam Tip – Always plan your essay before you start writing your essay.
List all your points on rough paper and put them in chronological order.