Jonah Patel
Big Stick Diplomacy was a term associated with US President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach. The term was derived from the phrase Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far, which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. The policy emphasized the use of diplomacy and negotiation as a first resort, backed by the threat of military force if necessary. Roosevelt believed that a strong military was essential to support diplomatic efforts and protect national interests, with the ultimate goal of maintaining peace and stability in international affairs. Big Stick Diplomacy was interventionist in nature, as Roosevelt was willing to intervene in the foreign affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European powers from reasserting control over former colonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Negotiating peacefully | Diplomacy was always the priority |
| Having military strength in case things go wrong | Strong military power |
| Using diplomacy and negotiation as a first resort | Diplomatic and peaceful negotiation as a primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts |
| Using the threat of military force as a last resort | Military force as a last resort |
| Using military force to ensure the country's global influence is asserted | Military power to ensure national security and international influence |
| Using military force to prevent adversaries from challenging its interests | Preventing adversaries from challenging its interests |
| Using military force to maintain peace and stability in international affairs | Maintaining peace and stability in international affairs |
| Using military force to intervene in foreign affairs | Willingness to intervene in foreign affairs |
| Using military force to prevent European powers from reasserting control over former colonies | Preventing European powers from reasserting control over former colonies |
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What You'll Learn
'Speak softly and carry a big stick'
'"Speak softly and carry a big stick"' is a phrase that was popularised by US President Theodore Roosevelt, who used it to describe his foreign policy approach. The phrase itself is claimed to be a West African proverb, although there is little evidence to support this. Roosevelt, however, was quite fond of the phrase and used it on multiple occasions, including in a letter to a friend and in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair in 1901, just two weeks before he became president.
The "big stick" in the phrase refers to military power, and the "speaking softly" refers to diplomacy and negotiation. Roosevelt believed that diplomacy was the priority, but it must be backed by a strong military power to ensure national security and influence. This approach is closely linked to the expansion of American influence globally, especially after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the country's emergence as an imperial power.
The "big stick" ideology has five components, according to Roosevelt. Firstly, it was essential to possess a formidable military capability that would force adversaries to pay attention. During his time, this meant having a world-class navy, as he never had a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. This military power was also used as a deterrent, to prevent potential threats from challenging American interests. Secondly, Roosevelt believed that diplomacy and peaceful negotiation should be the primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts. He was committed to ensuring that all channels for diplomacy and dialogue were explored before resorting to military action.
Roosevelt's "big stick" diplomacy was also tied to the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers against further colonisation or intervention in the Western Hemisphere. Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, however, justified American intervention in the region, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, to police small debtor nations with unstable governments. This policy was consistent with his foreign policy approach of "walking softly but carrying a big stick."
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Big Stick diplomacy and the Monroe Doctrine
The "big stick" ideology, also known as big stick diplomacy, philosophy, or policy, was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term "big stick" is derived from the phrase, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb, although this has not been proven.
Big stick diplomacy had five components. Firstly, it was essential to possess serious military capability that would force the adversary to pay close attention. Secondly, it involved negotiating peacefully but also having strength in case things went wrong. Thirdly, it was used to enforce the Monroe Doctrine throughout multiple interventions in Latin America. Fourthly, it was comparable to gunboat diplomacy, as used in international politics by the powers. Finally, it was used during "Canal Diplomacy," the diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal across Central America.
The Monroe Doctrine, which focused on the defense of the Americas, was a policy implemented by President Monroe in the early 19th century to bar European empires from taking control of any independent states in North or South America. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, on the other hand, asserted U.S. power and advanced their own goals for American gain. It was an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine suited to the modern circumstances of global imperialism, indicating the United States' intention to take the place of European empires. Roosevelt stated that in keeping with the Monroe Doctrine, the U.S. was justified in exercising international police power to put an end to chronic unrest or wrongdoing in the Western Hemisphere. This was used to justify Operation PBSuccess, which deposed President Jacobo Árbenz and installed a military dictatorship under Carlos Castillo Armas, the first in a series of military dictators in Guatemala.
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Big Stick ideology and gunboat diplomacy
Big Stick ideology, also known as Big Stick diplomacy or policy, was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The ideology is derived from the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence for that.
The ideology emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, negotiation, and the use of military power as a deterrent. Roosevelt believed that diplomacy was the priority but that it should be supported by a strong military force to ensure the nation's security and global influence. This notion of a "big stick" refers to the threat of military force. Roosevelt believed that by maintaining strong military power, a nation can prevent adversaries from challenging its interests, and it will also help to maintain peace and stability in international affairs.
The Big Stick ideology had five components. Firstly, it was essential to possess serious military capability that would force the adversary to pay close attention. This meant having a world-class navy, as Roosevelt never had a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. Secondly, the policy was tied to the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers to stay out of the Western Hemisphere and refrain from further colonization and intervention. Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, however, justified American intervention throughout the Western Hemisphere to police small debtor nations with unstable governments. Thirdly, Roosevelt believed in the importance of respectful and scrupulously fair behaviour towards all people, while at the same time keeping the nation in a condition to prevent wrong being done to it. Fourthly, the Big Stick ideology was applied in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the United States intervened in the affairs of debtor nations with unstable governments. Finally, the Big Stick ideology was also employed during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the US during the pursuit of a canal across Central America, particularly in Nicaragua and Panama.
Big Stick ideology is comparable to gunboat diplomacy, as used in international politics by the powers. Gunboat diplomacy refers to the use of the threat of military force, or the actual use of limited military force, to compel another nation to act favourably towards the nation applying the said pressure.
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Big Stick policy and deterrence
The "Big Stick" ideology, also known as Big Stick diplomacy or Big Stick policy, was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term "Big Stick" is derived from the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence for that.
The "Big Stick" policy has five components. Firstly, it emphasises diplomacy, negotiation, and peaceful negotiation as the primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts. Roosevelt believed that military force should be a last resort if negotiation fails. Secondly, it highlights the importance of visibly demonstrating military power to deter potential threats before they arise. This ties in with the idea of Realpolitik, which implies a pursuit of political power resembling Machiavellian ideals. Thirdly, it asserts that a nation must possess serious military capabilities that will force adversaries to pay close attention. In the early 20th century, this meant having a world-class navy. Fourthly, it was used to police small debtor nations in Latin America and the Caribbean with unstable governments. Finally, it was used to maintain stability in the region and prevent European powers from reasserting control over former colonies or getting involved in military conflicts within Latin American countries.
An example of the "Big Stick" policy in action is the "Canal Diplomacy", which refers to the diplomatic actions of the US during the pursuit of a canal across Central America. In 1901, the US negotiated with the Nicaraguan government for approval of a canal, offering $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, when a problem of court jurisdiction arose, the US used its "Big Stick" to pressure Nicaragua, ultimately resulting in the construction of the Panama Canal.
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Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, was known for his foreign policy approach, popularly known as "Big Stick Diplomacy" or the "Big Stick Policy." The term "big stick" was derived from Roosevelt's frequent use of the phrase, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," which he claimed was a West African proverb.
The "Big Stick" approach had five components. Firstly, it emphasised the importance of diplomacy, negotiation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts as the primary means to protect national interests. Roosevelt believed in exhausting all diplomatic channels before resorting to military action. This included mediation, peacekeeping, negotiating treaties, and trade. Secondly, it highlighted the need for a strong military capability as a deterrent. Roosevelt argued that by maintaining a strong military, the United States could prevent adversaries from challenging its interests and maintain peace and stability in international affairs. This included a focus on expanding the US Navy to project power globally. Thirdly, it was interventionist in nature, with Roosevelt willing to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European powers from reasserting control over former colonies. This was reflected in his support for the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers against further colonisation or intervention in the Western Hemisphere.
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" policy was also consistent with his expansion of the Monroe Doctrine, known as the Roosevelt Corollary. This corollary, or extension, justified American intervention in the Western Hemisphere to police small debtor nations with unstable governments. This policy emerged after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the United States' emergence as an imperial power. Roosevelt's approach to foreign policy was also reflected in the deployment of the Great White Fleet, 16 battleships that peacefully circumnavigated the globe, showcasing the United States' rising military power and prestige under his administration.
Overall, Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, the "Big Stick" policy, emphasised a combination of diplomacy and military power. It reflected his belief in the importance of negotiation and peaceful resolution while maintaining a strong military capability to protect national interests, ensure global influence, and maintain stability in international affairs.
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