A banana republic is a name for a Latin American nation (generally Central American or Carribean) that was under intense U.S. influence. The term originally comes from Nicaragua when the United Fruit Company (now Chiquita Bananas) had their banana plantation seized by the Nicaraguan government, outraged by this seizure of their massive plantation the United Fruit Company lobbied to United States government to act; the United States government agreed to act for the United Fruit Company and landed Marines in Nicaragua forcing the government to return the land to the United Fruit Company and pay reparation to both the United Fruit Company and United States government, In general, a banana republic was a nation under extreme U.S. influence that exported its natural resources, usually fruits, to the United States. As a result, most of these nations became dependent on the United States for economic support and several dictators came to power during this period (notably in the Dominican Republic) with U.S. backing. The period in which banana republics are said to have existed is generally the 1890's to the 1930's. Corporations, such as the United Fruit Company, also exercised heavy influence on the governments of Latin America and the U.S. government as well.
The scenario described above is an example of EX POST FACTO LAW. Ex post facto law is defined as a law which makes illegal an act that was legal when committed, increase the penalties for an infraction after it has been committed or change the rule of evidence to make conviction easier. Typically, constitutions normally prohibits the enactment of ex post facto laws.
The tuskegee airmen were the first African American soldiers to complete their courses and successfully join into the air force, also known as the Army Air Force.
