Eleanor Finch
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 ideology was based on the saying, speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far, which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. This approach involved using the threat of military power to negotiate peaceful outcomes. An example of this policy in action was during the Panama Canal Crisis in 1903, when Roosevelt sent US battleships to enforce Panama's independence from Colombia, thus facilitating the construction of the Panama Canal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military strength | A world-class navy |
| Peaceful negotiation | Panama Canal Crisis |
| Strong leadership | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Foreign policy | Latin America |
| Diplomacy | Peace deals |
| Police power | Protection |
| Dominance | Monroe Doctrine |
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What You'll Learn
The Panama Canal Crisis
Background
As early as the mid-16th century, interest in a canal across the Central American isthmus began, primarily driven by trade interests. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 further spurred interest in connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, leading to the construction of the Panama Railway, which began operations in 1855. Several attempts by France to construct a canal between 1881 and 1894 failed due to financial crises and health hazards.
The Crisis
In 1903, the United States aimed to construct the Panama Canal, which required the support and cooperation of Panama. However, Panama was still part of Colombia, which was hesitant to allow the canal's construction. To secure Panama's independence and facilitate the canal's construction, Roosevelt sent U.S. naval ships to the coast of Colombia. These ships were meant to deter Colombian forces from intervening in Panama's quest for independence. The presence of these battleships acted as a strong signal that the U.S. was willing to use military force if necessary, ultimately leading to Panama becoming an independent state.
Aftermath
Following Panama's independence, the United States quickly negotiated a treaty with the new Panamanian government to build and control the Panama Canal. Construction on the canal began in May 1904. In 1921, Colombia and the United States entered into the Thomson–Urrutia Treaty, in which the United States agreed to pay Colombia $25 million and grant it special privileges in the Canal Zone. In return, Colombia recognized Panama as an independent nation.
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" Policy
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" foreign policy was based on the idea of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick", which meant pursuing peaceful conversation and negotiation while maintaining strong military power. This approach allowed Roosevelt to intimidate adversarial nations into acting in America's interests without actually having to use military force. The Panama Canal Crisis is a significant example of the successful implementation of this policy.
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The Great White Fleet
The primary mission of the Great White Fleet was to make friendly courtesy visits to various countries, showcasing American goodwill and naval power. Roosevelt intended to demonstrate growing American military prowess and blue-water naval capabilities, especially after the country's triumph in the Spanish-American War. The voyage also served to familiarise the crew with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home.
The fleet's journey covered 43,000 miles and included 20 port calls on six continents. The first leg of the voyage took the ships through the Caribbean and down the west coast of South America, with stops in Trinidad, British West Indies, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico. After arriving in San Francisco on 6 May 1908, the fleet separated, with some ships leaving for other duties.
The second leg of the voyage began on 7 July 1908, as the fleet sailed north to Puget Sound and then separated again to visit six ports along the Washington coast before returning to San Francisco. After another six weeks in San Francisco, the fleet crossed the Pacific Ocean, visiting Honolulu, Hawaii; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Melbourne, and Albany, Australia; Manila, the Philippines; Yokohama, Japan; Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka); and Suez, Egypt. The final leg of the journey took the fleet through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, with stops in Sicily, Naples, Italy, and Gibraltar, before heading back across the Atlantic Ocean to return to Hampton Roads, Virginia, where the journey concluded.
The voyage of the Great White Fleet was an important demonstration of American naval power and an opportunity for the United States to flex its new naval muscles on the world stage. It also played a significant role in the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, adding lustre to his presidential career.
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US intervention in Latin America
The term "Big Stick" comes from President Theodore Roosevelt's saying, "speak softly and carry a big stick". The saying refers to military strength, with "speak softly" emphasizing peaceful negotiation and diplomacy. Roosevelt believed that diplomacy was more effective when backed by a strong military. This policy was particularly applied in Latin America and the Caribbean.
One example of Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy in Latin America was the Roosevelt Corollary, an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, articulated by President James Monroe in 1823, stated that the United States would treat any military intervention in Latin America by a European power as a threat to American security. Roosevelt's Corollary, issued in December 1904, declared that the United States had the right to intervene in Latin American nations to correct administrative and fiscal deficiencies and ensure these nations fulfilled their obligations to international creditors. This policy justified repeated interventions by U.S. marines and naval forces in "dysfunctional" Caribbean and Latin American countries, such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
Another example of "Big Stick" diplomacy in Latin America was the Panama Canal. The canal was a long-standing dream of U.S. naval leaders, who wanted a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Central America. In 1901, the United States negotiated with Britain for support for a canal, either in Nicaragua or Panama, which was then owned by Colombia. The Senate approved a route through Panama, but Colombia resisted. The United States then supported a Panamanian revolution with money and a naval blockade, preventing Colombian troops from landing in Panama. The Panama Canal was completed in 1914, making the United States the dominant military power in Central America.
Roosevelt also implemented "dollar diplomacy" in Latin America, working with bankers to provide loans to Latin American nations in exchange for control over their national fiscal affairs. This policy, continued by Presidents Taft and Wilson, led to rising debts to European and American bankers, which destabilized the region.
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The Monroe Doctrine
Monroe outlined two separate spheres of influence: the Americas and Europe. He asserted that the New World and the Old World were to remain distinct from each other in terms of influence, and that any further attempts by European powers to control or influence sovereign states in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as a threat to U.S. security. This policy position was central to American grand strategy in the 20th century and was invoked by many U.S. presidents, including Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan.
The Doctrine was invoked in 1865 when the U.S. exerted diplomatic and military pressure in support of Mexican President Benito Juárez, who successfully revolted against the Emperor Maximilian, who had been placed on the throne by the French government. However, the Doctrine was broken several times over the course of the 19th century, notably with the Second French intervention in Mexico. By the beginning of the 20th century, the United States was able to successfully enforce the doctrine, and it became a defining moment in its foreign policy.
In 1904 and 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine with his Corollary, which justified American intervention throughout the Western Hemisphere. This was a significant shift from the original intent of the Doctrine, which was to prevent European intervention in the region. Roosevelt's Corollary stated that the United States had the responsibility to preserve order and protect life and property in the nations of the Western Hemisphere. As a result of this expanded interpretation, U.S. Marines were sent into Santo Domingo in 1904, Nicaragua in 1911, and Haiti in 1915.
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The Roosevelt Corollary
The Monroe Doctrine, instituted by President James Monroe in 1823, aimed to prevent further colonization of the Western Hemisphere by European powers. It stated that any attempt by a European nation to exert influence in the Western Hemisphere would be considered a threat to US security. The Roosevelt Corollary expanded upon this doctrine, asserting that the United States had the right and responsibility to intervene in the internal affairs of Latin American countries if they committed flagrant wrongdoings that "loosened the ties of civilized society". This intervention was justified as a means to protect American interests and security and to preserve order, life, and property in the Western Hemisphere.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Big Stick" policy, also known as Big Stick diplomacy or ideology, was a political approach and foreign policy strategy used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The strategy can be summarised by the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. This meant that Roosevelt would negotiate peacefully while maintaining strong military power, using the threat of force to achieve foreign policy goals.
One notable example of the "Big Stick" policy in action was during the Panama Canal Crisis in 1903. The United States wanted to construct the Panama Canal but Panama was still part of Colombia, which was hesitant to allow the canal's construction. Roosevelt sent U.S. naval ships to the coast of Colombia to deter Colombian forces from intervening in Panama's quest for independence. This show of force ultimately led to Panama becoming an independent state and the United States quickly negotiated a treaty to build and control the Panama Canal.
The "Big Stick" policy had several key characteristics. Firstly, it emphasised the need to possess serious military capability, such as a world-class navy, to force adversaries to pay attention. Secondly, it involved acting justly towards other nations and never bluffing. Thirdly, it required the willingness to strike hard when necessary but also allowing the adversary to save face in defeat. Overall, the policy aimed to negotiate peacefully while maintaining strength and using the threat of force if needed.
