The Big Stick Diplomacy: Notable Examples And Impacts

Big stick diplomacy, big stick ideology, or big stick policy refers to a foreign policy approach popularized and named by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term originates from Roosevelt's favourite phrase, speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far, which he claimed was a West African proverb. This approach emphasizes diplomatic negotiation and the threat of military power if necessary to ensure that the national interest of the state is protected and the country's global influence is asserted. Some examples of big stick diplomacy include the construction of the Panama Canal, brokering peace between Japan and Russia, and the deployment of the Great White Fleet.

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The Panama Canal

Roosevelt was determined to construct a canal across Central America, with the most strategic point being across the fifty-mile isthmus of Panama, which was part of Colombia at the beginning of the 20th century. The construction of the canal was primarily for military reasons associated with the empire, but it also served international trade considerations. Roosevelt negotiated with Colombia, sometimes threatening to take the project away and build through Nicaragua, until Colombia agreed to a treaty. The treaty granted the United States a lease on the land across Panama in exchange for a payment of $10 million and an additional $250,000 annual rental fee.

Under Roosevelt's leadership, the United States significantly supported the independence of Panama from Colombia in 1903, ultimately securing the construction of the Panama Canal. This project demonstrated American power and influence, opening critical trade routes, facilitating global commerce, and enhancing the geopolitical significance of the nation. The Panama Canal was a clear example of Roosevelt's belief in the inevitable conflict between the "civilized" and "barbarian" peoples of the world and his interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which called for American intervention in the affairs of other nations in the Western Hemisphere.

The Big Stick policy has had a long-lasting impact on US foreign policies, particularly regarding military modernization, interventionism, and the projection of power to protect national interests. However, it has also been criticized for its imperialistic nature.

Peace between Japan and Russia

Big stick diplomacy, a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, involves diplomatic negotiation and the use of military force to protect national interests, increase the country's influence on the world stage, and establish the United States as a global power. The term "big stick" comes from Roosevelt's famous saying, "speak softly and carry a big stick", which refers to his belief in peaceful negotiation backed by a strong military.

One notable example of big stick diplomacy is Roosevelt's mediation of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). In 1904, Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur, marking the beginning of the conflict. As the war raged on with many Japanese victories, Roosevelt approached both nations about mediating peace negotiations. Despite initial refusals, Japan and Russia eventually accepted his offer to help negotiate a peace treaty, known as the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the war. Roosevelt's successful mediation earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 and demonstrated the effectiveness of diplomatic intervention.

Roosevelt's strategy in this instance can be understood through his belief in the importance of maintaining a balance of power. In Asia, the United States had a less prominent military presence, so he sought to ensure that no single player grew too powerful. When the power balance between Japan and Russia tipped in Japan's favour, Roosevelt acted to broker a peace deal to restore equilibrium.

Additionally, Roosevelt's actions aligned with his focus on military interventions and the expansion of US naval power. By intervening in the Russo-Japanese War, he could assert US influence and prevent European powers from gaining a stronger foothold in the region. This aspect of big stick diplomacy, often referred to as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, justified US interference in Latin America and its involvement in the affairs of former colonies to maintain stability and prevent European intervention.

While Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy played a role in establishing the United States as a prominent force in global affairs, it also faced criticism for its imperialistic nature and interference in the internal affairs of smaller nations without their consent. The application of this diplomatic approach to the Russo-Japanese War, however, showcased the potential for peaceful resolution through negotiation and the use of military strength as a deterrent.

Deployment of the Great White Fleet

The Great White Fleet was a fleet of 16 U.S. Navy battleships of the Atlantic Fleet dispatched by President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage of circumnavigation from 16 December 1907 to 22 February 1909. The hulls of the ships were painted white, the Navy's peacetime colour scheme, decorated with gilded scrollwork and a red, white, and blue banner on their bows. The voyage served multiple purposes.

Firstly, it demonstrated that the U.S. had become a major sea power following its victory in the Spanish-American War. The cruise of the Great White Fleet provided practical experience for U.S. naval personnel in sea duty and ship handling, and showed the viability of U.S. warships for long-range operations. It also gave the Navy practice in navigation, communication, coal consumption, and fleet manoeuvring.

Secondly, the deployment was intended to send a message to Tokyo that the American fleet could be deployed from its Atlantic ports and would be able to defend American interests in the Pacific. Tensions between the U.S. and Japan had escalated in 1907 due to intense Japanese resentment against the mistreatment of Japanese people in California. The very friendly reception of the Great White Fleet in Yokohama helped to rapidly de-escalate these tensions.

Thirdly, the voyage served as a showpiece of American goodwill, as the fleet visited numerous countries and harbours. Naval courtesy calls had become common in the 19th century, often coinciding with the birthdays of monarchs and other foreign celebrations. The Great White Fleet's voyage also enhanced relations with other nations and showcased pomp, ceremony, and militarism during a period of rising prewar nationalism.

Finally, the deployment was intended to inspire awe and encourage patriotism, both domestically and internationally. The cruise was a massive display of power that sparked a revolution in naval preparedness and demonstrated the might and grandeur of a unique American armada representing its country's interests abroad.

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US support for Panama's independence

In the case of Panama, the United States had a strategic interest in building a canal across Central America, which would provide a link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Initially, the US considered building the canal through Nicaragua or Panama, which was then a province of Colombia. French attempts to construct a canal in Panama in the 1880s failed due to tropical diseases and financial bankruptcy.

In 1901, the US negotiated with Nicaragua, offering $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity" in exchange for approval of the canal. However, the deal fell through due to issues with court jurisdiction.

With US interests solidified in Panama, the US refused to pay higher prices demanded by Colombia and a French construction company. In 1903, the US engineered a revolution in Colombia, resulting in Panama's independence with support from the US Navy. Panama received $10 million, annual payments of $250,000, and guarantees of independence from the US, which also gained rights to the canal strip "in perpetuity".

Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy was employed to justify US intervention in Panama, as he believed in the civilizing mission of the United States and its responsibility to bring "stability" to Latin America. The policy enabled the founding of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the exertion of US control over Cuba and Puerto Rico. Roosevelt's approach, sometimes referred to as "gunboat diplomacy", involved using naval forces to protect American interests and impose policies favourable to American businesses in the region.

US intervention in Latin America

The term "Big Stick Diplomacy" refers to a foreign policy approach characterized by assertive and sometimes aggressive behaviour, often involving the use of military force or the threat thereof, to achieve diplomatic goals. Coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, the phrase is derived from an African proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." This approach was particularly evident in the United States' interventions in Latin America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the US sought to expand its influence and protect its economic interests in the region.

One notable example of Big Stick Diplomacy in Latin America was the US intervention in Cuba during the Spanish-American War of 1898. The war began after the US battleship Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor under mysterious circumstances. Blaming Spain for the incident, the US declared war and quickly defeated the Spanish forces in Cuba and the Philippines. The Treaty of Paris, which ended the war, granted the US temporary control of Cuba and permanent control of Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as the Philippines, demonstrating the US's growing imperial ambitions.

The US intervention in Panama in 1903 is another illustration of Big Stick Diplomacy. At the time, Panama was part of Colombia, and the US sought to acquire the territory to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. When Colombia refused to ratify a treaty granting the US rights to the canal zone, Roosevelt supported Panamanian separatists, who revolted and declared their independence. The US quickly recognized the new government and secured a treaty granting it exclusive control over the Panama Canal Zone, a strip of land that would house the canal, which was crucial for connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Additionally, the US occupation of Nicaragua from 1912 to 1933 exemplifies Roosevelt's doctrine. The US intervened in Nicaragua to protect American business interests and ensure the construction of the Nicaragua Canal, a rival project to the Panama Canal. The presence of US troops led to the establishment of a pro-American government, and the country's constitution was rewritten to favor American interests. The US also intervened in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920), citing concerns over the protection of American citizens and property in the country. The US sent troops to Mexico, occupying Veracruz in 1914, and supported various factions throughout the revolution, ultimately influencing the outcome of the conflict.

Big Stick Diplomacy had a significant impact on Latin America, shaping the region's political and economic landscape. It contributed to the perception of the US as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere and set a precedent for future interventions, often justified under the Monroe Doctrine and its corollary, the Roosevelt Corollary. While Big Stick Diplomacy may have served US interests, it often came at the expense of Latin American nations' sovereignty and self-determination, leading to ongoing tensions and complex relationships between the US and Latin America.

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