Isabella Carter
Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy was based on the idea of speak softly and carry a big stick, a phrase he attributed to a West African proverb. This approach, known as the Big Stick policy, was characterized by a strong military posture and the use of diplomatic agreements to advance American interests globally. Roosevelt believed that the United States should be a global power and intervene in other countries' affairs, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he asserted US domination and policed small debtor nations with unstable governments. He also played a significant role in international diplomacy, helping to negotiate peace between Russia and Japan and intervening to prevent war between Germany and France. Roosevelt's policies and agreements, such as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and the building of the Panama Canal, increased US influence and set the course for its relationship with Latin America and the world in the 20th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foreign policy approach | "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" |
| Foreign policy description | "The exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis" |
| Diplomacy | "Big stick diplomacy" |
| Philosophy | "The strenuous life" |
| Military capability | A world-class navy |
| Diplomacy with European countries | Helped make the United States a respected world power |
| Nobel Peace Prize | Won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in mediating peace negotiations between Russia and Japan |
| Immigration policy | Brokered a deal with Japan to preserve America's diplomatic relationship with Japan while restricting the immigration of people from East Asia to the U.S. |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | Assertive approach, often referred to as the "Big Stick" policy |
| Panama Canal | Supported the building of the Panama Canal, which made the United States the dominant military power in Central America |
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What You'll Learn
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
The Roosevelt Corollary, a foreign policy declaration by US President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904-1905, was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, established in 1823, initially warned European nations against colonizing or interfering in the affairs of countries in the Western Hemisphere, asserting that such actions would be considered acts of aggression against the United States.
The Roosevelt Corollary stated that the United States could intervene in the internal affairs of Latin American countries if they committed flagrant wrongdoings that "loosened the ties of civilized society". Roosevelt justified this policy as an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, arguing that the US was justified in exercising ""international police power"" to maintain order, stability, and peace in the region, and to prevent European intervention. This shift aided the US in its goal of becoming a global power and set a precedent for US foreign policy in Latin America for the next few decades.
The Corollary contributed to the transition of the United States into a great world power, marking the start of the country's expanding interests and influence beyond its borders. By expanding on the Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt was able to more easily justify US intervention in Latin America. This intervention led to resentment among Latin Americans who viewed it as a guise for American imperialism.
The Roosevelt Corollary was invoked in 1954 by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles at the Tenth Pan-American Conference in Caracas, denouncing the intervention of Soviet communism in Guatemala. This was used to justify Operation PBSuccess, which deposed President Jacobo Árbenz and installed a military dictatorship under Carlos Castillo Armas.
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The Panama Canal
The idea of a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans had been a long-term goal of American and British leaders, with the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty of 1850 aiming to curb rivalry over a proposed canal. However, the Anglo-American canal never materialised beyond the planning stages. In 1900, with Britain focused on the Boer War, the US negotiated with Britain for support for an American-controlled canal, either in Nicaragua or Panama, then a province of Colombia.
In 1901, President William McKinley appointed a commission that recommended building the canal through Nicaragua. However, after McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt reinstated the commission to push for the Panamanian route, pending negotiations with Colombia. Roosevelt wanted to break ground on the canal before his re-election campaign in 1904. He believed that the canal's construction was crucial for the US to exert its power in world affairs, as European empires did.
When Colombia rejected the terms of the agreement, Roosevelt supported the Panamanian revolution with money and a naval blockade, preventing Colombian troops from reaching Panama. This controversial move interfered with the affairs of a sovereign Latin American nation, and Panama declared independence in 1903. The US quickly signed a treaty with the new Panamanian government, securing a 10-mile-wide strip of land for the canal, a one-time $10 million payment, an annual annuity, and the guarantee of Panama's independence.
The construction of the Panama Canal was a massive engineering feat, employing nearly 30,000 workers over ten years. It was completed in 1914, and by 1925, over 5,000 merchant ships were traversing the canal annually. The canal significantly shortened the voyage between San Francisco and New York, enhancing international commerce and reinforcing the US military dominance in Central America.
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Russo-Japanese War peace negotiations
Theodore Roosevelt's involvement in the peace negotiations of the Russo-Japanese War is a notable example of his diplomatic approach and foreign policy. Roosevelt's efforts in the Russo-Japanese War peace negotiations, culminating in the Treaty of Portsmouth, showcased his belief in arbitration and peaceful resolution of international disputes. Roosevelt's role in the negotiations also reflected his desire to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 was sparked by disputes over control of Manchuria and Japan's attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur. As the war progressed, Roosevelt, who initially held a pro-Japanese stance, grew concerned about the implications of Japan's growing military power on American interests in Asia. Recognizing the potential disadvantages of a prolonged war, Japan sought Roosevelt's assistance in brokering peace negotiations as early as July 1904. Roosevelt approached both Russia and Japan about mediating the conflict, but they were initially reluctant to accept his offer.
In February 1905, Roosevelt sent messages to the Russian government via the U.S. ambassador in Saint Petersburg, and in March, Japan indicated its readiness to negotiate. However, Russia's response was delayed until after its defeat at the Battle of Tsushima. The peace negotiations between Russia and Japan, mediated by Roosevelt, took place in August 1905 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Roosevelt chose this location due to the cooler climate, avoiding the sweltering Washington summer.
The negotiations addressed several key issues, including access to ports and territories in Manchuria and Korea, control of Sakhalin Island, and the question of war costs and reparations. The Japanese negotiator's primary aims included control over Korea and South Manchuria, followed by negotiating an indemnity and securing control of Sakhalin Island. Meanwhile, the Russians wanted to maintain their presence in Sakhalin Island, refuse indemnity payments, and retain their fleet in the Pacific.
The negotiations reached an impasse over the issues of indemnity and Sakhalin Island. Roosevelt proposed a solution, suggesting that Russia "buy back" the northern part of Sakhalin from Japanese control. After internal debate, Japan agreed to take only the southern half of the island without any monetary compensation. The Treaty of Portsmouth, signed on September 5, 1905, formally ended the Russo-Japanese War and recognized Japanese hegemony in Korea and its control over the southern half of Sakhalin, the Liaodong Peninsula, and South Manchuria Railway. Roosevelt's successful mediation earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, making him the first American recipient.
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Big Stick foreign policy
The "Big Stick" ideology, also known as the Big Stick Policy or Big Stick Diplomacy, was a foreign policy approach used by the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term "speak softly and carry a big stick" was derived from a West African proverb that Roosevelt cited in a letter to a friend while he was still the governor of New York. The proverb resonated with Roosevelt, who believed in the importance of diplomacy and the intelligent use of military power to advance American interests on the global stage.
At its core, the "Big Stick" ideology emphasised the combination of diplomatic persuasion and the threat of military force. Roosevelt recognised that the United States had recently become an overseas empire, with territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines claimed during the Spanish-American War in 1898. As a result, he sought to increase the country's influence and prestige on the world stage, ensuring that it was regarded as a global power. Roosevelt's diplomatic maxim reflected this ambition: "speak softly and carry a big stick". He believed that a chief executive must be willing to use force when necessary while practising the art of persuasion.
The "Big Stick" policy had five components, according to Roosevelt. Firstly, it was essential to possess a serious military capability, such as a world-class navy, that would force adversaries to pay attention. Secondly, Roosevelt emphasised the importance of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving international disputes. This was demonstrated in his successful mediation of the Russo-Japanese War, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Thirdly, Roosevelt believed in the exportation of American values and ideals, considering it ennobling for "civilised" nations to intervene in other countries' affairs. Fourthly, he recognised the importance of respecting the Monroe Doctrine, which asserted the United States' dominance in the Western Hemisphere and aimed to prevent European influence or recolonisation. Finally, Roosevelt's "Big Stick" policy was applied in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he policed small debtor nations with unstable governments, such as Venezuela, to prevent European intervention.
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" foreign policy had a significant impact on the way the United States operated in the world. It marked a shift from the relative isolationism of the mid-1800s to a more active engagement in international diplomacy. Roosevelt's approach helped establish the United States as a respected world power, capable of negotiating peace and preserving its interests on a global scale.
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Good Neighbor Policy
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy was a significant shift from the previous "Big Stick" diplomacy of Theodore Roosevelt. The Good Neighbor Policy renounced American intervention in the affairs of other nations, particularly in Latin America.
Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" ideology was a diplomatic approach characterized by his famous quote, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." This approach was based on the belief that a strong military capability, or the "big stick," coupled with subtle and persuasive diplomacy, was essential to achieving foreign policy goals. Theodore Roosevelt's policies were shaped by a desire to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
One of the key aspects of Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904. This policy established the United States as the "police power" of the Western Hemisphere, intervening in Latin American nations to protect its interests and assert its dominance. For example, Roosevelt stationed naval forces in Cuba to uphold the Monroe Doctrine and supported the Panamanian revolution, recognizing Panama as an independent nation and establishing it as an American protectorate.
In contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt's Good Neighbor Policy sought to improve relations with Latin American countries by renouncing interventionism. This policy shift recognized the sovereignty and independence of Latin American nations and aimed to build more cooperative and respectful relationships in the region.
The Good Neighbor Policy also extended beyond Latin America, influencing the United States' approach to global affairs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, like his predecessor, understood the importance of the United States' role in international diplomacy and worked to maintain its position as a respected world power. He navigated complex international relations, promoted arbitration and peace negotiations, and addressed immigration concerns through diplomatic agreements, such as the Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan.
The Good Neighbor Policy marked a turning point in American foreign policy, moving away from the assertive and interventionist approach of the "Big Stick" diplomacy toward a more cooperative and diplomatic style. This shift reflected the changing global dynamics and the recognition that building positive relationships with other nations was crucial for maintaining the United States' influence and prestige on the world stage.
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Frequently asked questions
Roosevelt's 'new diplomacy' refers to his foreign policy approach, which was based on the saying, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." This approach was a shift from previous presidents' views, as Roosevelt believed that American interests were global interests.
The phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick" means that it is important to be respectful and refrain from wronging others, but at the same time, one must be prepared to defend themselves and prevent others from wronging them. Roosevelt believed that the United States should act aggressively in foreign affairs and increase its influence and prestige on the world stage.
Roosevelt's 'new diplomacy' played out in Latin America and the Caribbean through what became known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This policy asserted U.S. domination in the region and policed small debtor nations with unstable governments. Roosevelt also stationed naval forces in Cuba and supported the Panamanian revolution, making Panama an American protectorate.
Yes, Roosevelt's 'new diplomacy' extended beyond Latin America and the Caribbean. He played a major role in negotiating peace between Russia and Japan during the Russo-Japanese War, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt also intervened to prevent war between Germany and France over colonial claims in Morocco. Additionally, he brokered a deal with Japan, known as the Gentlemen's Agreement, to preserve America's diplomatic relationship with Japan while restricting East Asian immigration to the U.S.
