Simone Lawson
The big stick of diplomacy refers to a foreign policy approach popularized and named by Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. 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 involved negotiating peacefully while also having a strong military capability to threaten force if needed. Roosevelt believed that the United States had a right and obligation to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere and to intervene in other countries' affairs for their benefit and to maintain global order. This policy was influenced by Roosevelt's personal beliefs and his desire for the United States to be a respected world power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Big stick ideology, big stick diplomacy, big stick philosophy, or big stick policy |
| Used by | Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States |
| Origin | Derived from the phrase, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb |
| Philosophy | The exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis |
| Components | Possessing serious military capability that would force the adversary to pay close attention |
| Roosevelt's belief | The Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the United States |
| Roosevelt's goal | To make other republics on the continent happy and prosperous |
| Roosevelt's declaration | The first of many presidential decrees in the 20th century that were never ratified |
| Usage | The U.S. used the "big stick" during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal across Central America |
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What You'll Learn
The Monroe Doctrine
Monroe's address contained two key principles. Firstly, it stated that the Americas should no longer be considered for future European colonization and that any attempt to do so would be seen as a hostile act towards the United States. Secondly, and in apparent contradiction to the first part, it asserted that European powers should consider existing colonial possessions on the American continents as the United States would not interfere with these.
The Doctrine was a response to a number of factors. One was the ongoing revolution in the colonies of Spain in the Americas, which had resulted in
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Canal Diplomacy
The "Big Stick" ideology, or "Big Stick diplomacy", was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term "big stick" was used to describe the foreign policy positions during his administration. Roosevelt described his style of foreign policy as "the exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis".
The "big stick" was used during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the US during the pursuit of a canal across Central America. Both Nicaragua and Panama featured canal-related incidents of big stick diplomacy. 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, Nicaragua returned the contract draft with a change; they wished to receive, instead of an annual $100,000, $6 million in ratification. The U.S. accepted the deal, but, after Congress approved the contract, a problem of court jurisdiction arose.
In 1914, the United States completed a canal in Panama that connected the oceans and divided the continents. The "Big Ditch" solved a transportation problem, but it also created many new problems—some of which now seem almost unsolvable. The Panama Canal has been a source of diplomatic conflict between the US and Panama, with the US asserting its defence and operational rights over the canal. In 1977, the Ford administration was planning an eventual pullout from Panama, with the US agreeing to eventually end its exercise of sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the Canal Zone. However, the question remained whether the US people would accept such a withdrawal, and some doubted that the canal's security and operation would remain unimpaired under joint control.
The Panama Canal has also been a source of conflict between the US and China, with the Trump administration clashing with the Panamanian government over the future of the canal. The US has expressed concerns about China's increasing influence in Panama, particularly regarding infrastructure and cyberattacks. Trump has made extreme demands, such as a handover of the canal, and has publicly blasted Panama's canal management. On the other hand, Panamanian officials dispute these claims and assert that an independent Panamanian body, the Panama Canal Authority, is the sole operator of the canal.
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The Panama Canal
Interest in a canal across the Central American isthmus began as early as the mid-16th century, driven primarily 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, including malaria and yellow fever, which led to the deaths of thousands of French workers. Upon becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt was determined to succeed where others had failed. He sought to achieve the construction of a canal across Central America, primarily for military reasons associated with empire, but also for international trade considerations.
The most strategic point for the construction was across the fifty-mile isthmus of Panama, which, at the turn of the century, was part of Colombia. Roosevelt negotiated with the Colombian government, sometimes threatening to take the project to Nicaragua instead. Eventually, Colombia agreed to a treaty that would grant the United States a lease on the land across Panama in exchange for a payment of $10 million and an additional $250,000 annual rental fee. However, the Colombian people were outraged over the loss of their land and considered the payment too low. Influenced by public outcry, the Colombian Senate rejected the treaty and informed Roosevelt that the canal would not be built.
Undeterred, Roosevelt chose to wield the "big stick". He made it clear that the United States would strongly support the Panamanian people should they choose to revolt against Colombia and form their own independent nation. Once the Panamanian victory was secured with American support, construction on the canal began in May 1904. Roosevelt became the first sitting US president to leave the country while in office when he travelled to Panama to visit the construction site.
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Latin America
Big stick diplomacy, big stick ideology, 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. This approach was applied in Latin America and the Caribbean, where Roosevelt enacted the Big Stick policy to police small debtor nations with unstable governments.
Roosevelt's precedent of intervening in Latin America influenced the presidents who came after him. This intervention led to a form of economic colonialism in Latin America. The Roosevelt Corollary, which expanded on the Monroe Doctrine, asserted that the U.S. could intervene in Latin America to maintain stability. This doctrine justified interventions in countries experiencing internal unrest or external threats, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. was the regional police force. The Monroe Doctrine, issued in 1823, stated that the United States would not accept European intervention in the Americas. Roosevelt realized that if Latin American nations continued to have chronic problems, such as the inability to repay foreign debt, they would become targets of European intervention. To preempt such action and to maintain regional stability, the President drafted his corollary: the United States would intervene in any Latin American country that manifested serious economic problems.
The Roosevelt Corollary was first applied in Venezuela in 1902 when Germany and Britain sent ships to blockade the country's coastline due to unpaid debts. Roosevelt demanded that they agree to arbitration to resolve the dispute. Another example is Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic), which also encountered problems with European countries over debt. Roosevelt ordered an American collector to assume control of the customs houses and collect duties to avoid possible European military action.
Big stick diplomacy was also prominently applied during the construction of the Panama Canal, where the U.S. used military might to support Panama's independence from Colombia. The policy was rooted in Roosevelt's belief that a strong military presence could deter potential threats and promote American interests abroad. The Panama Canal was completed in 1914, and by 1925, more than 5,000 merchant ships had traversed the 40 miles of locks each year. The canal shortened the voyage from San Francisco to New York by more than 8,000 miles and made the United States the dominant military power in Central America.
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The Russo-Japanese War
In the context of "Big Stick" diplomacy, US President Theodore Roosevelt played a significant role in mediating the conflict and brokering peace between Japan and Russia. Roosevelt's approach to foreign policy, known as "big stick" diplomacy, was characterised by his famous phrase, "speak softly and carry a big stick". This reflected his belief in the importance of diplomacy but also the need for strong military power to ensure national security and global influence. Roosevelt's mediation efforts in the Russo-Japanese War demonstrated the effectiveness of diplomatic intervention and established the US as a global peace broker.
Roosevelt's involvement in the war can be understood through the lens of his "big stick" diplomacy. He sought to protect American interests in Asia and maintain stability in the region. Prior to the war, Roosevelt had invoked his "big stick" policy by sending the Great White Fleet, a powerful naval force, on manoeuvres in the western Pacific Ocean from 1907 to 1909. This show of military strength served as a warning to Japan, which had previously forced American business interests out of Manchuria. Roosevelt's actions reinforced the Open Door Policy throughout China and Asia, ensuring that no single power dominated the region.
The Treaty of Portsmouth, negotiated by Roosevelt, officially ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. While the treaty's specific terms are not publicly known, it successfully concluded the conflict and earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. Roosevelt's mediation demonstrated the successful application of "big stick" diplomacy, where the threat or use of military force is complemented by peaceful negotiation and diplomacy. This approach, however, has also faced criticism for its imperialistic nature and interference in the internal affairs of smaller nations without their consent.
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Frequently asked questions
The 'big stick' of diplomacy, also known as the 'big stick' ideology, philosophy, or policy, was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, 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.
Roosevelt believed that it was important to negotiate peacefully but also be prepared to use military strength if necessary. In other words, it was necessary to be respectful towards all people and refrain from wronging them, but also to be in a condition to prevent wrongs from being done by others.
Roosevelt believed that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere. He felt that the United States' interests were global interests, and that it was good for "civilized" nations to intervene in the affairs of "uncivilized" nations. This belief, along with his strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick", shaped his foreign policy decisions, such as his interventions in Latin America and Asia.
No, Roosevelt did not actually carry a big stick. The phrase was a metaphor for his approach to foreign policy, which involved using the threat of military force to achieve diplomatic goals without actually having to resort to force.
Yes, Roosevelt's precedent of intervening in Latin America has been criticized by some historians as leading to a form of economic colonialism in the region.
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