Isabella Carter
The terms Big Stick diplomacy, Dollar diplomacy, and Moral diplomacy refer to foreign policies of the United States during different periods of its history. Big Stick diplomacy, associated with President Theodore Roosevelt, is characterised by the use of military power to support diplomatic objectives and enforce the Monroe Doctrine. Dollar diplomacy, associated with President William Howard Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox, aimed to promote American commercial interests and financial stability in a region. Moral diplomacy, associated with President Woodrow Wilson, was a form of statesmanship that centred US foreign relations around the concept of morality and the values of democracy and national self-determination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Big Stick Diplomacy | A foreign policy approach that involves negotiating peacefully but also having military strength in case things go wrong. |
| The policy was based on the proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." | |
| It was characterized by the use of military muscle to complement diplomatic policies. | |
| Dollar Diplomacy | A foreign policy approach that focuses on ensuring the financial stability of a region while advancing the commercial and financial interests of the United States. |
| It was characterized by extensive US interventions in the Caribbean and Central America to safeguard American financial interests. | |
| Moral Diplomacy | A foreign policy approach that centers US foreign relations around moral values, specifically the values of democracy and national self-determination, rather than pure economic interests. |
| It involves spreading and implementing democratic systems in other countries while also seeking US economic benefits. |
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What You'll Learn
- Dollar diplomacy was a foreign policy created by President William Howard Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox to advance US commercial and financial interests
- Big stick diplomacy was a foreign policy approach coined by Theodore Roosevelt, which entailed using military muscle to complement diplomatic policies
- Moral diplomacy, coined by Woodrow Wilson, was a foreign policy approach centred on moral values and the spread of democracy, rather than economic interests
- The Monroe Doctrine was a policy that justified US intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Realpolitik, an approach to political power, is comparable to big stick diplomacy, as both imply the pursuit of power
Dollar diplomacy was a foreign policy created by President William Howard Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox to advance US commercial and financial interests
William Howard Taft, who became president in 1909, adapted Roosevelt's foreign policy philosophy to one that reflected American economic power at the time. Taft's policy, known as "dollar diplomacy", aimed to "substitute dollars for bullets" by using foreign policy to secure markets and opportunities for American businessmen. Taft and Knox sought to use America's vast economic wealth and resources to resolve diplomatic issues with trade, rather than with conflict. They believed that dollar diplomacy would ensure stability and maintain order abroad, which would, in turn, promote American commercial interests.
However, dollar diplomacy ultimately failed to achieve its goals. In Central America, for example, the policy did little to relieve countries of their debt and instead reassigned that debt to the United States. It also spurred several nationalist movements among those who were resentful of American interference, leading to more conflict in the region. Similarly, in Asia, dollar diplomacy sowed the seeds of mistrust as Pre-Soviet Russia and Japan viewed US actions in China as an imperialist foray into Asia.
Dollar diplomacy was eventually discontinued by Woodrow Wilson, who defeated Taft in the 1912 presidential election. Wilson ended the policy upon his inauguration in 1913.
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Big stick diplomacy was a foreign policy approach coined by Theodore Roosevelt, which entailed using military muscle to complement diplomatic policies
Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy was a foreign policy approach that entailed using military muscle to complement diplomatic policies. The policy was based on an African proverb, "speak softly, and carry a big stick, and you will go far". Roosevelt believed that the United States' recent military successes meant that it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, as long as the military could threaten to use force.
Roosevelt's policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean is a key example of "Big Stick" diplomacy in action. In the early 1900s, he grew concerned that a crisis between Venezuela and its creditors could spark an invasion of the nation by European powers. In response, he sent the Great White Fleet to perform manoeuvres in the western Pacific Ocean from 1907 to 1909. Publicly, this was a goodwill tour, but it sent a clear message to the Japanese government about American interests in Asia. Subsequent negotiations reinforced the Open Door policy throughout China and the rest of the continent.
Roosevelt's successor, William Howard Taft, adapted his foreign policy philosophy to one that reflected American economic power at the time. This became known as "Dollar Diplomacy", with Taft announcing his decision to "substitute dollars for bullets" and use foreign policy to secure markets and opportunities for American businesses. Taft's policy failed to achieve its goals, and in some cases, such as in Mexico and China, it led to more conflict and instability.
"Big Stick" diplomacy was also employed by Woodrow Wilson, who used military force to protect American investments in Haiti and to guard against potential German or French aggression. He also sent troops to the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
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Moral diplomacy, coined by Woodrow Wilson, was a foreign policy approach centred on moral values and the spread of democracy, rather than economic interests
Moral Diplomacy was a response to the failures of Dollar Diplomacy, which struggled to maintain economic and political stability in Central America and Asia. While Dollar Diplomacy aimed to use America's economic power to resolve diplomatic issues, it ultimately reassigned debt to the United States and fuelled nationalist movements and conflicts, such as the Banana Wars. It also failed to maintain the balance of power in Asia, as Imperial Japan expanded its reach.
In contrast, Moral Diplomacy aimed to uphold moral values and democracy in foreign affairs. For example, under Moral Diplomacy, Wilson refused to recognise the government of General Victoriano Huerta in Mexico, due to its violent and repressive nature, and instead supported Venustiano Carranza, who became president with the help of US military force. This action demonstrated Wilson's willingness to use military intervention to support democratic causes and protect American investments, even though it contradicted his ideal of not taking land by conquest.
Moral Diplomacy also had its challenges, as seen in the case of Mexico, where Wilson's intervention failed to end the rebellious behaviour. Additionally, Moral Diplomacy shared similarities with its predecessors, as it still employed military force and sought to improve American interests and influence in Latin America, demonstrating the continued pursuit of imperialist goals.
Overall, Moral Diplomacy, as coined by Woodrow Wilson, represented a shift in foreign policy towards moral values and democracy promotion, moving away from the purely economic focus of Dollar Diplomacy. While it faced challenges and shared imperialist tendencies with previous approaches, Moral Diplomacy under Wilson left its mark on US foreign relations, particularly in Latin America.
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The Monroe Doctrine was a policy that justified US intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Monroe Doctrine was a US foreign policy framework addressing America's security and commercial interests in the Western Hemisphere. It was introduced in 1823 by President James Monroe in his annual address to Congress. The Doctrine was a unilateral declaration by the United States, which outlined two separate spheres of influence: the Americas and Europe.
The Doctrine's message was designed to keep European powers out of the Western Hemisphere and to curb European ambitions in the region. It asserted that the American continents were not to be considered as subjects for future colonisation by any European powers. This was in response to fears that Spain and France might reassert colonialism over Latin American peoples who had recently overthrown European rule. There were also concerns about Russia's expansion southward from Alaska towards the Oregon Territory.
The Monroe Doctrine was a clear break between the New World and the autocratic realm of Europe, with the US pledging to avoid involvement in European political affairs. It also addressed how the US would conduct foreign relations with newly independent nations in Central and South America. The Doctrine was a longstanding tenet of US foreign policy, shaping relations with Latin American nations for years to come.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the right of the US to exercise an "international police power" to curb "chronic wrongdoing" by European powers in Latin America. Roosevelt's Corollary (or extension) to the Monroe Doctrine justified sending US troops into Santo Domingo in 1904, Nicaragua in 1911, and Haiti in 1915, to keep Europeans out. These interventions strained relations between the US and its southern neighbours.
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Realpolitik, an approach to political power, is comparable to big stick diplomacy, as both imply the pursuit of power
Big Stick Diplomacy was characterised by the use of military force or its threat to achieve foreign policy objectives. Roosevelt believed that the United States had the right and obligation to be the "policeman" of the Western Hemisphere. This belief shaped his foreign policy decisions, such as his support for the construction of the Panama Canal and his assertive approach to Latin America and the Caribbean. Similarly, Realpolitik emphasises the pursuit of power and the use of coercive measures to achieve political objectives.
The pursuit of power in Big Stick Diplomacy was evident in Roosevelt's belief in American exceptionalism and his willingness to intervene in other countries' affairs. For example, he travelled to Panama, becoming the first sitting US president to conduct an official international trip, and took a turn at the steam shovel, symbolically participating in the canal's construction. This interventionist approach, driven by the pursuit of power and influence, aligns with the principles of Realpolitik.
Additionally, both Big Stick Diplomacy and Realpolitik recognise the importance of economic power. While Roosevelt's approach emphasised the use of military force or its threat, he also understood the role of economic coercion in achieving foreign policy goals. This recognition of economic power is a key aspect of Realpolitik, which considers economic tools as instruments of power alongside military and diplomatic means.
The comparison between Big Stick Diplomacy and Realpolitik highlights their shared emphasis on the pursuit and exercise of power. While Big Stick Diplomacy specifically refers to Roosevelt's foreign policy approach, Realpolitik encompasses a broader range of political strategies that prioritise power and its effective utilisation. Both approaches recognise the interplay between military, diplomatic, and economic power in achieving their respective objectives.
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Frequently asked questions
Big Stick diplomacy was a foreign policy approach used by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. The term comes from the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. This approach involved negotiating peacefully while also demonstrating military strength in case things went wrong. Roosevelt used this approach in Latin America and the Caribbean to police small debtor nations with unstable governments.
Dollar diplomacy was a foreign policy approach created by U.S. President William Howard Taft and Secretary of State Philander C. Knox. This policy aimed to create stability and promote American commercial interests in a region while also advancing U.S. financial interests. Dollar diplomacy was evident in extensive U.S. interventions in the Caribbean and Central America, particularly in measures to safeguard American financial interests.
Moral diplomacy was a foreign policy approach coined by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. This policy centred U.S. foreign relations around moral values, specifically democracy and national self-determination, rather than pure economic or imperialist interests. Wilson frequently intervened in Latin America, seeking to spread democracy and implement democratic systems while also pursuing U.S. economic benefits.
