The “Big Stick” The “Big Stick” AmericaAmerica

1901- 19171901- 1917

Old Foreign PolicyOld Foreign Policy

ColonizationColonization

Monroe DoctrineMonroe Doctrine

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

New American ViewsNew American Views

America had a new sense of world America had a new sense of world powerpower

President felt overseas did not have President felt overseas did not have to be concerned with Congress or to be concerned with Congress or public, could exercise unfettered public, could exercise unfettered power.power.

Teddy Roosevelt Foreign Policy Teddy Roosevelt Foreign Policy BeliefsBeliefs

Active in foreign policyActive in foreign policy

Using American power in world is important Using American power in world is important

Distinction between:Distinction between:– Civilized:Civilized: white, Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic; economically white, Anglo-Saxon or Teutonic; economically

superior, produced industrial goodssuperior, produced industrial goods– Uncivilized:Uncivilized: non-white, Latin or Slavic, economically non-white, Latin or Slavic, economically

inferior, supplied raw materials and markets.inferior, supplied raw materials and markets.– Economic relationship between the two was vital to Economic relationship between the two was vital to

both.both.

Therefore, Civilized nation had the right to Therefore, Civilized nation had the right to intervene in an uncivilized nation.intervene in an uncivilized nation.

““Speak softly, Speak softly, but carry a big stick.”but carry a big stick.”

What is “The Big Stick” What is “The Big Stick” PolicyPolicy

Presses’ name for Roosevelt’s foreign Presses’ name for Roosevelt’s foreign policy in Latin America and Caribbeanpolicy in Latin America and Caribbean

Aka. the Aka. the Roosevelt CorollaryRoosevelt Corollary to the to the Monroe Doctrine.Monroe Doctrine.– Unwilling to share trading rights, military Unwilling to share trading rights, military

control with any other nations in Latin America.control with any other nations in Latin America.

Idea is to police the small debtor nations Idea is to police the small debtor nations that had unstable governments, so there that had unstable governments, so there would be no intrusions from European would be no intrusions from European nations.nations.

The Great White FleetThe Great White Fleet

How are each of the following How are each of the following examples of the “Big Stick” policy?examples of the “Big Stick” policy?– The Treaty of Portsmouth/Great White The Treaty of Portsmouth/Great White

FleetFleet– VenezuelaVenezuela– US warships used to ensure Panama’s US warships used to ensure Panama’s

independenceindependence– Building of Panama CanalBuilding of Panama Canal– Platt AmendmentPlatt Amendment

Taft Dollar DiplomacyTaft Dollar Diplomacy Did not share TR’s vision of world stabilityDid not share TR’s vision of world stability

Rather, wanted to expand American investments Rather, wanted to expand American investments into less-developed regions.into less-developed regions.

Policy of using the U.S. gov. to guarantee loans Policy of using the U.S. gov. to guarantee loans made to foreign nations by American businesses.made to foreign nations by American businesses.

Most visible in CaribbeanMost visible in Caribbean

Example – Nicaragua – supported insurgents, lent Example – Nicaragua – supported insurgents, lent them money to stabilize government, backed up them money to stabilize government, backed up new gov. when another insurgency took place 2 yrs new gov. when another insurgency took place 2 yrs later.later.

Progressing Foreign PolicyProgressing Foreign Policy

Original Monroe Doctrine – warned Original Monroe Doctrine – warned Europe from expanding influence in Europe from expanding influence in Latin AmericaLatin America

Roosevelt Corollary – US has right to Roosevelt Corollary – US has right to exercise international police power in exercise international police power in Western HemisphereWestern Hemisphere

1913, Wilson brought 1913, Wilson brought MORALMORAL tone to tone to the Monroe Doctrinethe Monroe Doctrine

Wilson’s Moral DiplomacyWilson’s Moral Diplomacy A “missionary diplomacy” – had a moral A “missionary diplomacy” – had a moral

responsibility to deny recognition to any responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American gov. it viewed as Latin American gov. it viewed as oppressive, undemocrative, or hostile to oppressive, undemocrative, or hostile to U.S. interests. U.S. interests.

Prior, US had recognized any gov. that Prior, US had recognized any gov. that controlled a nation, regardless of policies controlled a nation, regardless of policies or seizure of power.or seizure of power.

New Policy pressured western hemisphere New Policy pressured western hemisphere to establish democratic governments.to establish democratic governments.

Examples of Wilson’s Moral Examples of Wilson’s Moral DiplomacyDiplomacy

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

HaitiHaiti

Dutch West IndiesDutch West Indies

MexicoMexico