Spruille Braden Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Spruille Braden, born on March 13, 1894, in Elkhorn, Montana, was an American diplomat, businessman, and lobbyist who played a significant role in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Latin America, during the mid-20th century. He passed away on January 10, 1978, in Los Angeles, California.

Braden graduated from the University of Arizona and began his career in the mining industry, working in various Latin American countries. This experience laid the foundation for his deep understanding of the region, which later influenced his diplomatic career. In the 1930s, he transitioned into diplomatic service, serving in various capacities under the U.S. Department of State. He was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Colombia in 1939, where he served until 1942. Following this, Braden was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, where he dealt with the complexities of U.S.-Cuban relations during a turbulent period in the island's history. His tenure was marked by efforts to counteract Axis influence in the region during World War II and to address the political instability in Cuba.

Perhaps his most notable diplomatic role was as the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina from 1945 to 1946. In this capacity, Braden was a vocal critic of Juan Domingo Perón, Argentina's then-vice president and labor secretary, who he viewed as having fascist sympathies and being a threat to democratic principles. The "Braden vs. Perón" clash became a significant issue in the Argentine presidential election of 1946, with Perón ultimately winning and using Braden's opposition to bolster his nationalist platform.

After leaving diplomatic service, Braden continued to influence U.S. foreign policy through various roles, including as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. He was known for his staunch anti-communist stance and advocacy for aggressive American intervention to protect business interests and combat perceived Soviet influence in Latin America.