Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

Overview

This lecture covers Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" foreign policy, focusing on the Panama Canal, increased U.S. control in Latin America, the Roosevelt Corollary, and U.S. involvement in the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt's "Big Stick" Diplomacy

• "Speak softly and carry a big stick" means using diplomacy backed by a strong military.
• Roosevelt believed the U.S. should be diplomatic but ready to use force if necessary.
• This approach aimed to deter conflicts without immediate violence.

The Panama Canal

• The U.S. sought a water route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific for military and trade purposes.
• France failed to build the canal due to disease and engineering challenges.
• Colombia rejected the U.S. canal proposal, so the U.S. supported Panama's revolution for independence.
• With Panama’s approval, the U.S. built the Panama Canal, completed in 1914.
• The U.S. controlled the canal to advance its interests and restrict European influence.

The Roosevelt Corollary and Latin America

• The Roosevelt Corollary expanded on the Monroe Doctrine, claiming the U.S. right to intervene in Latin America.
• The policy aimed to limit European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.
• The U.S. intervened in countries like Cuba, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
• Many Latin American nations opposed U.S. intervention, seeing it as a violation of their sovereignty.
• The "Good Neighbor Policy" of the 1930s aimed to improve U.S.-Latin American relations.

Russo-Japanese War and U.S. Involvement

• Roosevelt mediated the end of the Russo-Japanese War, earning the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Japan's victory challenged ideas about European supremacy in global affairs.
• Roosevelt wanted to limit Japanese expansion and showcased U.S. naval power with the Great White Fleet.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Big Stick Diplomacy — Roosevelt's policy of negotiating peacefully while displaying military strength.
• Panama Canal — A man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, built by the U.S.
• Roosevelt Corollary — An extension of the Monroe Doctrine asserting U.S. authority to intervene in Latin America.
• Monroe Doctrine — A U.S. policy opposing European intervention in the Americas.
• Good Neighbor Policy — A 1930s policy to improve U.S. relations with Latin American countries.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review examples of U.S. intervention in Latin America (Cuba, Panama, Dominican Republic).
• Read about the construction and impact of the Panama Canal.