American Continental Block
American Continental Block (ACB)
Foundation
The American Continental Block (ACB) was born after the consolidation of the Cold War between the United States and Germany beginning in 1946. Aware of the threat posed by the Reich and its spheres of influence in Europe, Africa, and Asia, Washington pushed for the creation of a hemispheric bloc uniting the main powers and strategic territories of the Americas under a common economic, political, and military framework.
The ACB was officially founded in 1947 with the signing of the Treaty of Panama, where representatives of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, and Panama agreed to form a supranational structure ensuring continental security against the penetration of the Axis and rival ideological factions.
Composition and Objectives
- United States: the undisputed leader of the bloc, providing the majority of military, naval, and air power.
- Canada: a strategic ally with a shared border and major industrial capacity serving continental defense.
- Mexico: key to securing the U.S. southern border and controlling routes in the Caribbean and Central America.
- Cuba: a vital naval and air base for controlling the Caribbean and projecting power into the Atlantic.
- Brazil: South America’s leading power, contributing strategic resources, a large army, and access to the South Atlantic.
- Peru: ensuring control of the Andes and the South Pacific.
- Panama: the neuralgic point of the bloc, controlling the Panama Canal, a vital artery of commerce and naval strategy.
Military Structure
The ACB established the Continental Joint Command (CCC), headquartered in Washington D.C., tasked with coordinating the hemisphere’s air and naval defense. Three defense axes were organized:
- Atlantic-Caribbean, centered on Cuba and Puerto Rico.
- Pacific, with bases in Mexico and Peru.
- South Atlantic, led by Brazil.
Economy and Cooperation
The bloc also created a common economic zone, eliminating internal trade barriers and consolidating transcontinental infrastructure projects. This strengthened U.S. economic influence, in exchange for industrial and military investments in its allies.
Rivalries
The ACB was born not only as a counterbalance to the Reich, but also in opposition to the national-fascist Venezuelan faction, which sought to expand its influence in South America, and to the Pan-American Neutral League, led by Colombia, which advocated a “third way” outside the two poles of power.
Strategic Role
The American Continental Block became the guarantor of hemispheric security, proclaiming the continent as a “bastion of freedom against European totalitarianism”, while also consolidating U.S. hegemony in hemispheric politics.