PAN AMERICAN ROUND TABLES OF TEXAS HISTORY
1916 – 2024
PRELUDE
The history of the Pan American Round Tables of Texas would not be complete without reviewing one of the key factors that influenced its formation. This was the Pan American effort that was a direct result of the Monroe Doctrine. Even though Spanish dominance in the Americas had been defeated in 1826 by the leadership of such Generals as Simon Bolivar, Jose San Martin, and Guiseppie Garibaldi, Spain and the other European monarchies had remained a constant threat to the newly founded freedom. It was then that United States President James Monroe intervened to protect all the Western Hemisphere and issued the Monroe Doctrine, which intended to prevent any other foreign powers from ever seizing or invading any of the nations of the Americas. Pan Americanism was born. It was the joining of all the peoples in the Western Hemisphere for a common goal of freedom.
However in 1890, the role of Pan Americanism took on a different face. Instead of using conflict to insure freedom, more peaceful means to achieve the same goal were sought. This led to the first Pan American Conference in Washington, D. C. with the purpose of preserving peace among all the nations of the Americas.
Resulting from the conference was the establishment of the Pan American Union in 1910. Its goals were to promote friendship and cooperation among the nations of the Western Hemisphere. In 1948, President Roosevelt brought 21 nations of the Western Hemisphere together in what we call today the OAS (Organization of American States) to further these objectives. Today the OAS has grown to a membership of 35 active members from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. Nations from other parts of the world participate but only as permanent observers. The OAS continues to lead the charge in carrying out the pursuit of friendship and goodwill among the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Its motto of “Democracy, Justice, Peace, and Prosperity in the Americas” is the essence of Pan Americanism.
As Audreyjane Castro stated in her presentation of the meaning of Pan Americanism on April 14, 2000:
“It can be said that the lasting legacy of Pan Americanism is a peaceful solution to understanding one another whether we be from Canada, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, or any of the other members of this Hemisphere. Pan Americanism is a vehicle through which we can speak to one another, where we can resolve differences and solidify strengths, and where we can promote friendship and goodwill for the next millennium.”
