Malcolm Rivera
The Big Sister policy was a foreign policy formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s. It was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine and aimed to bring Latin American nations under US leadership and open their markets to US traders. The policy was successful, and in 1889, Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | James G. Blaine, Secretary of State under President Cleveland |
| Aim | To rally Latin American nations behind US leadership |
| Aim | To open Latin American markets to US traders |
| Result | Led to the First International Conference of American States in 1889 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Big Sister policy was formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s
- The policy aimed to open Latin American markets to US traders
- It was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine
- The policy bore fruit in 1889, with the First International Conference of American States
- The policy began the trust between Latin America and American leaders
The Big Sister policy was formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s
The "Big Sister" policy, formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s, was a foreign policy initiative with a specific focus on Latin America. The policy's name is derived from Blaine himself, who was affectionately known as "the Magnetic Man" due to his charismatic oratory skills, which were highly prized during that era.
James Gillespie Blaine was an American statesman and Republican politician, born on January 31, 1830, in West Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He represented Maine in the United States House of Representatives from 1863 to 1876 and served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1869 to 1875. He then served in the United States Senate from 1876 to 1881. Blaine is notable for having served as Secretary of State under three separate presidents: James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur from 1881 to 1889, and Benjamin Harrison from 1889 to 1892.
The "Big Sister" policy was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. It aimed to bring Latin American nations closer to the United States and open their markets to American traders. This policy was a significant shift in foreign relations, as it sought to establish cordial relations and exert American influence in Latin America. The policy proved fruitful in 1889 when Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States.
Blaine's "Big Sister" policy was a reflection of his interest in expanding international trade and his support for railroad promotion and construction. He worked to lower tariffs, which was instrumental in opening up new markets for American businesses in Latin America. Blaine's policy also had a cultural dimension, as he encouraged Latin American nations to align with American leadership and values. This aspect of the policy was a precursor to modern soft power strategies, where cultural and ideological influence is wielded alongside economic and political power.
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The policy aimed to open Latin American markets to US traders
The "Big Sister" policy was a foreign policy formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s. It was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to open Latin American markets to US traders and foster trust in Latin America towards American leaders. The policy was borne out of the belief that the US economy was dependent on foreign trade due to increasing agriculture and manufacturing exports.
The policy was designed to bring Latin American nations together under US leadership. This would allow the US to expand its economic and military influence, as well as protect its trading interests. The policy was successful in 1889 when Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States. This conference was a significant step towards opening Latin American markets to US traders and marked the beginning of a new era of diplomatic relations between the US and Latin America.
The "Big Sister" policy was also a response to the growing tensions in Cuba and the region's desire for independence from Spain. The policy aimed to improve relations between the US and Latin America, as well as foster economic growth and development in the region. By opening up Latin American markets to US traders, the policy also helped to strengthen the US economy and its position in the world.
The "Big Sister" policy had a significant impact on the relationship between the US and Latin America. It led to increased diplomatic engagement and the development of stronger economic and cultural ties. The policy also contributed to the creation of Sister Cities International (SCI), a non-profit citizen diplomacy network that seeks to foster economic and cultural exchange between US and international communities. Today, SCI continues to promote mutual understanding and foster relationships between sister cities, with a focus on two-way communication and mutual benefit.
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It was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine
The "Big Sister" policy was formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s as an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, a US foreign policy framework addressing America's security and commercial interests in the Western Hemisphere, was first introduced by President James Monroe in 1823. It asserted that the Americas were not to be considered as subjects for further European colonisation and that any intervention in the political affairs of the Americas by foreign powers would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.
The "Big Sister" policy was an attempt to rally Latin American nations behind US leadership and open their markets to US traders. It was a form of "big stick ideology", a term coined from a quote by Roosevelt: "speak softly and carry a big stick". This ideology was used as a tool to take economic benefits by force when Latin American nations failed to pay their debts to European and US banks.
The policy was successful in 1889 when Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States. This represented a significant moment in US foreign policy, as it demonstrated the country's ability to enforce the Monroe Doctrine and rally Latin American nations behind its leadership. The "Big Sister" policy can be understood as a continuation of the Monroe Doctrine's goal of curbing European influence in the Americas and promoting US dominance in the region.
The Monroe Doctrine was central to American grand strategy in the 20th century and was invoked by several US presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, who used it to justify military intervention in Latin America to stop the spread of European influence. This interventionism provoked outrage across Latin America and was criticised as a departure from the original intent of the Monroe Doctrine, which was meant to prevent European colonialism.
In conclusion, the "Big Sister" policy was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, building on its principles and applying them to the context of the late 19th century. It represented a continuation of US efforts to exert influence in Latin America and shape the region according to its interests.
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The policy bore fruit in 1889, with the First International Conference of American States
The "Big Sister" policy, formulated by James Gillespie Blaine in the 1880s, was a foreign policy approach aimed at rallying Latin American nations behind US leadership and opening their markets to US traders. The policy was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, and it bore fruit in 1889 with the First International Conference of American States.
The First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890, was a significant milestone in the history of the American continents. It was the culmination of Secretary of State James G. Blaine's vision, inspired by the "Western Hemisphere idea", to convene a meeting of all the Hemisphere's nations and exercise US diplomatic leadership. This conference established the International Union of American Republics, later renamed the Pan-American Union, with its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The conference was attended by 27 delegates from 13 countries, and it successfully fostered greater knowledge and understanding among the participating nations. While the original motivation was to develop mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of disputes, commercial interests also played a significant role. The US delegation, the largest with ten members, was predominantly composed of representatives from commerce and industry.
The conference achieved notable successes, including agreements on commercial and trade matters, as well as an arbitration agreement. The concept of regular inter-American meetings and the creation of a permanent secretariat, originally known as the International Bureau of American Republics, emerged as one of the conference's most significant legacies. This secretariat would later evolve into the Pan American Union and, eventually, the Organization of American States.
In summary, the First International Conference of American States in 1889 was a manifestation of the "Big Sister" policy's objectives. It laid the groundwork for increased cooperation, understanding, and economic ties among the American nations, while also establishing a framework for the peaceful resolution of disputes and setting a precedent for regular inter-American dialogue and institutional collaboration.
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The policy began the trust between Latin America and American leaders
The "Big Sister" policy was a foreign policy formulated by James Gillespie Blaine, the US Secretary of State, in the 1880s. An extension of the Monroe Doctrine, the policy aimed to bring Latin American nations behind US leadership and open their markets to US traders.
The policy was successful in its goal of increasing trade relations between the US and Latin America. It also helped to establish trust between Latin America and American leaders. This was a significant development, as it represented a shift in Latin America's attitude towards the US, which had previously been characterised by suspicion and tension.
The "Big Sister" policy was a notable departure from traditional US diplomacy, which tended to be more unilateral and coercive. By adopting a more collaborative and persuasive approach, Blaine was able to foster a sense of goodwill and cooperation between the two regions. This was achieved through a variety of means, including diplomatic visits, cultural exchanges, and the negotiation of favourable trade agreements.
The policy's success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Blaine was a skilled diplomat and negotiator, able to build strong personal relationships with his Latin American counterparts. He also had a deep understanding of the region, having served as a lawyer and diplomat in Latin America earlier in his career. Additionally, the timing of the policy was fortuitous, as Latin America was experiencing a period of economic growth and political stability, which made its leaders more receptive to closer ties with the US.
The "Big Sister" policy had lasting implications for US-Latin American relations. It set a precedent for cooperative diplomacy and mutual respect between the two regions, which continued to shape their relationship in the decades that followed. The policy also contributed to the development of a more interconnected global economy, as it facilitated the expansion of trade and investment between the US and Latin America.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Sister Policy, or Big Sister Diplomacy, was a foreign policy created by US Secretary of State James G. Blaine in the 1880s.
The policy aimed to bring Latin American nations behind American leadership and open their markets to US traders.
The policy bore fruit in 1889 when Blaine presided over the First International Conference of American States.
