Jonah Patel
Big stick diplomacy is a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term is derived from an aphorism that Roosevelt often cited: Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy was characterized by a preference for negotiation and peaceful resolution of conflicts, but with the backing of a strong military to enforce his demands if necessary. This approach was applied in both domestic and foreign policy contexts, including in Latin America, Asia, and during the construction of the Panama Canal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Named by | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Foreign policy approach | "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" |
| Military presence | Strong in Latin America |
| Weak in Asia | |
| Panama Canal | Engineered a revolution in Panama |
| Encouraged them to break away from Colombia | |
| Funded the endeavour | |
| Scored permanent access to the canal | |
| Venezuela | Resolved tensions with Britain and Germany |
| Cuba | Protected their interests |
| Ensured their ability to function independently | |
| Created a naval presence near Cuba |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The 'big stick' refers to military power
The "big stick" in Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" refers to military power. This political approach was used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, and was derived from the phrase, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." Roosevelt claimed that this was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence to support this.
Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" had five components. Firstly, it was essential to possess a formidable military capability that would force an adversary to pay attention. In the context of the early 20th century, this meant having a world-class navy. Roosevelt did not have a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. Roosevelt's threat of force was credible in Latin America, where the United States had a strong military presence and could quickly and easily act on any threat of military action. For example, in Venezuela, the United States got involved in a conflict that did not directly affect them. Roosevelt denounced a blockade by Britain and Germany and asked for it to be ended. He then created a naval presence near Cuba to enforce his request.
Roosevelt also used the "big stick" during "canal diplomacy" in Central America. In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pressed the Nicaraguan government for approval of a canal. However, a problem of court jurisdiction arose as the United States did not have legal jurisdiction in the land of the future canal. Instead of using direct military force, the United States engineered a revolution in Panama, encouraging them to break away from Colombia. American battleships were sent to the coast of Colombia, blocking them from moving troops into the region to stop the Panamanian uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt recognized Panama as a new country, and it became an American protectorate until 1939.
Volunteers' Duties: Political Campaign Edition
You may want to see also
The policy was popularized by Theodore Roosevelt
Roosevelt's "big stick" policy was a thinly veiled threat that shaped much of his foreign policy. He believed that the United States' recent military successes meant that it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, so long as the country could threaten to use force. This belief was tied to his philosophy, which he called the "strenuous life", that prized challenges overseas and sought to instil American men with the resolve and vigour he believed they had once possessed in the Trans-Mississippi West.
Roosevelt's strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick" was particularly effective in Latin America, where the United States had a strong military presence and could quickly and easily act on any threat of military action. In Asia, however, the United States had less of a military presence, so Roosevelt sought to maintain a balance of power, ensuring that no single player grew too powerful.
Roosevelt's "big stick" policy was used in "Canal Diplomacy", the pursuit of a canal across Central America. In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pressed the Nicaraguan government for approval of a canal. Nicaragua would receive $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and the U.S. would "provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, a problem of court jurisdiction arose, and pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua. Roosevelt sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, ostensibly for practice maneuvers, as the Panamanian revolution unfolded. Within a week of the successful revolution, Roosevelt recognised Panama as a new country, offering them the same terms as he had offered Colombia. Panama became an American protectorate and remained so until 1939.
Designing Political Campaign Posters: A Guide to Visual Messaging
You may want to see also
It was used in Latin America and the Caribbean
"Big stick diplomacy" was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term is derived from an aphorism which Roosevelt often said: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far".
In Latin America, Roosevelt enforced the Monroe Doctrine throughout multiple interventions. This included the Great White Fleet, 16 battleships that peacefully circumnavigated the globe as an illustration of the United States' rising yet neutral prestige under Roosevelt's direction. Roosevelt also used the "big stick" during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal across Central America. In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pressed the Nicaraguan Government for approval of a canal. Nicaragua would receive $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and the U.S. would "provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, after the U.S. Congress approved the contract, a problem of court jurisdiction arose. The U.S. did not have legal jurisdiction in the land of the future canal.
In 1903, Roosevelt sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, ostensibly for practice manoeuvres, as the Panamanian revolution unfolded. The warships blocked Colombia from moving additional troops into the region to quell the growing Panamanian uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt immediately recognized the new country of Panama, offering them the same terms he had previously offered Colombia. Following the successful revolution, Panama became an American protectorate, and remained so until 1939.
Shadow Campaigns: Political Strategies Behind the Scenes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was also used in Canal Diplomacy
The "big stick" ideology, also known as big stick diplomacy, big stick philosophy, or big stick 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 to support this.
The "big stick" was used during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions taken by the US during its pursuit of a canal across Central America. Both Nicaragua and Panama featured in canal-related incidents of big stick diplomacy. In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pushed the Nicaraguan government for approval to construct a canal. The US would "provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity", and Nicaragua would receive $1.5 million in ratification and $100,000 annually. However, Nicaragua altered the contract, requesting $6 million in ratification instead of the annual payment. The US accepted the deal, but a problem of court jurisdiction arose, and pro-Panama representatives created issues for Nicaragua.
Roosevelt defied US Congress and flouted international law by supporting a revolution in Panama. He sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, blocking the country from sending troops to the region to suppress the Panamanian uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt recognised Panama as a new country, and Panama signed a treaty with the US, allowing the construction of the Panama Canal.
The "big stick" diplomacy continued to be a dominant aspect of US foreign policy through the 1980s, with presidents continuing to employ impressive military strength and covert action in its Caribbean sphere of influence.
American Political Campaigns: How Long Do They Last?
You may want to see also
It is comparable to gunboat diplomacy
Big Stick Diplomacy was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term is derived from the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. This approach is comparable to gunboat diplomacy, which is the pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of naval power, implying a threat of warfare should terms not be agreeable to the superior force.
Gunboat diplomacy, a term that emerged during the nineteenth-century period of imperialism, involves the use of highly-visible displays of military power to force the cooperation of a foreign government. This form of diplomacy was often used by Western powers, including the United States and European nations, to intimidate less powerful entities into granting concessions. The mere presence of a warship or fleet of ships off the coast of a smaller country was often enough to bring about capitulation without bloodshed.
Similarly, Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy relied on the use of military muscle to enforce the Monroe Doctrine and shape his foreign policy. Roosevelt believed that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere. He asserted that while it was necessary to "speak softly", or to be respectful towards all people, it was also important to carry a big stick, or to possess a strong military capability that would force adversaries to pay attention. Roosevelt's threat of force was particularly credible in Latin America, where the United States had a strong military presence and could quickly act on any threats.
Both Big Stick Diplomacy and gunboat diplomacy involve the use of military power as a means of advancing foreign policy objectives. They rely on conspicuous displays of military strength to intimidate or coerce other nations into cooperation or capitulation. While gunboat diplomacy typically refers to the use of naval power, both forms of diplomacy recognise the value of "speaking softly", or refraining from aggressive actions, while still wielding a "big stick".
Kamala's Candidacy: What's Next?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The "big stick" is a reference to military power.
"Big stick diplomacy" is a political approach or foreign policy that involves using the threat of military power to achieve diplomatic goals.
One example of "big stick diplomacy" is Theodore Roosevelt's involvement in the construction of the Panama Canal. Instead of using direct military force, the U.S. engineered a revolution in Panama, encouraging the country to break away from Colombia.
The term "big stick diplomacy" is derived from the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," which was popularized by Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt claimed that the phrase was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence to support this.
