Early public career Nelson Rockefeller

nelson rockefeller, coordinator of inter-american affairs (1940)

rockefeller served member of westchester county board of health, 1933–53. service creole petroleum led deep, lifelong interest in latin america. became fluent in spanish language. in 1940, after expressed concern president franklin d. roosevelt on nazi influence in latin america, president appointed him new position of coordinator of inter-american affairs (ciaa) in office of coordinator of inter-american affairs (ociaa). rockefeller charged overseeing program of u.s. cooperation nations of latin america raise standard of living, achieve better relations among nations of western hemisphere, , counter rising nazi influence in region. facilitated form of cultural diplomacy collaborating director of latin american relations @ cbs radio network edmund a. chester .

in period, roosevelt administration adopted neighbor policy , encouraged hollywood produce films encourage positive relations latin america. rockefeller required changes in movie down argentine way (1940) because considered offensive argentines. more popular in united states in latin america. charlie chaplin s satirical great dictator (1940) banned in several countries.

in spring of 1943, rockefeller supported extensive negotiations , mission of north american members of junior chamber of commerce latin america coordinator of inter-american affairs of state department, establishing junior chamber international after first inter-american congress in december 1944 @ mexico city. after coming inter-american congress, nelson rockefeller convinced father, john d. rockefeller jr., donate land city of new york in order build foundations of become later united nations headquarters.

in 1944, president roosevelt appointed rockefeller assistant secretary of state american republic affairs. assistant secretary of state, initiated inter-american conference on problems of war , peace in 1945. conference produced act of chapultepec, provided framework economic, social , defense cooperation among nations of americas, , set principle attack on 1 of these nations regarded attack on , jointly resisted. rockefeller signed act on behalf of united states.

rockefeller member of u.s. delegation @ united nations conference on international organization @ san francisco in 1945; gathering marked un s founding. @ conference there considerable opposition idea of permitting, within un charter, formation of regional pacts such act of chapultepec. rockefeller, believed inclusion essential, u.s. policy in latin america, urged need regional pacts within framework of un. rockefeller instrumental in persuading un establish headquarters in new york city.

nelson rockefeller, under secretary of health, education , welfare, makes presentation on proposed public/private health reinsurance program, 1954.

president truman fired rockefeller, reversed policies, , shut down ociaa. reich says in official washington, rockefeller had become discredited figure, pariah. returned new york.