A Cold-War Conundrum: British 'Aid' to El Salvador 1970-2009
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Sch of History
Abstract
This research project aims to analyse the changing nature of British intervention in El Salvador across three periods: the pre-civil war 1970s, during rising political tensions and repression; the civil war (1980-92) between state forces and the left-wing FMLN guerrilla movement; and post-conflict (1992-2009) a period ending in an electoral FMLN victory. The research hopes to show how political and human rights agendas affected the nature of British intervention and the ways in which such aid was distributed and used. It aims to establish the factors that prompted the UK's involvement, to explore Britain's actions during the civil war, and then the changing scope and nature of its involvement. The research will examine the extent and impact of state-perpetrated human rights violations in El Salvador and the corresponding nature of UK intervention in, and aid to, the country.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Emily McIndoe (Student) |
Publications
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000665/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2027 | |||
| 1948273 | Studentship | ES/P000665/1 | 30/09/2017 | 31/12/2021 | Emily McIndoe |
| Description | The research for this thesis consitutes the first comprehensive study into Britain's relationship with El Salvador between 1970 and 2009 - it has revealed that, contrary to prior opinion, Britain actually had a complex and multi-faceted relationship with El Salvador in this period. The key findings centre around the El Salvador solidarity network in Britain, which has not been previously considered in discussions of El Salvador solidarity, or Latin America solidarity more broadly. The analysis in this research of political, human rights and people-to-people solidarity constitutes a novel approach to studying solidarity movements. This thesis therefore establishes a much more complete understanding of British aid to El Salvador in this period, which provides a detailed basis from which to conduct further research. |
| Exploitation Route | The research provides a detailed analysis of solidarity movements and the impact that they can have on aid programmes. This provides an interesting starting point for further academic research on Latin America solidarity, as it widens the current understanding of solidarity movements. Further research could include a more in-depth case study of the FMLN network globally, linking the European experience, with the British and American experiences of political left-wing solidarity with the FMLN. The analysis of the work of CAFOD, CIIR and Christian Aid can also be used to complement ongoing academic discussions of the turn to human rights in humanitarian movements in the 1980s / 90s, which currently do not include these case studies. |
| Sectors | Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | Community Workshops (Greenwich) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A community workshop was delivered to a class of 30 primary school students, to talk about El Salvador solidarity and the Changing the Picture Mural opposite the school gates. A second workshop was delivered in the school hall for members of the local Greenwich community to discuss the mural's significance and ongoing solidarity activities. The school workshop led to further activities being planned and the community workshop has led to further discussions about the impact of El Salvador solidarity in Britain. Both workshops were part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science, and were in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, University of Greenwich and Music for Hope. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Latin America Solidarity Online Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 2-day online conference aimed at bringing together solidarity practitioners (past and present) and academics researching solidarity with Latin America. There was a mix of panels and presentations from solidarity groups, individuals and academics. It was widely well attended with around 50-60 people attending each day. The conference was a collaboration between the University of Liverpool and Latin America Bureau. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |