Malcolm Rivera
Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick diplomacy was a foreign policy approach that emphasized diplomatic negotiation and military power to protect national interests and assert global influence. The policy, also known as the big stick ideology, was derived from the phrase speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far, which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb. The main principle of Big Stick Diplomacy was to prioritize diplomacy and peaceful negotiation while leveraging military strength as a deterrent and last resort if negotiations failed. Roosevelt believed that by maintaining a strong military, the United States could prevent adversaries from challenging its interests and maintain peace and stability in international affairs. This approach was influenced by Roosevelt's belief that it was the duty of civilized nations to uplift uncivilized ones and his desire to ensure America's global influence as an emerging imperial power following the Spanish-American War in 1898.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Negotiation and diplomacy | The primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts |
| Military power | A last resort if negotiation fails to resolve the conflict |
| Deterrence | Preventing adversaries from challenging national interests and maintaining peace and stability in international affairs |
| Upholding the Monroe Doctrine | Preventing European countries from interfering in the Americas |
| Supporting the nation's diplomatic objectives | Increasing naval preparation |
| Building a big navy | Reminding other countries of the US's military strength |
| Intervening in Latin American affairs | Siding with Panama in its war with Colombia |
| Ensuring the "respect of Monroe doctrine" | Stationing naval forces in Cuba |
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What You'll Learn
Theodore Roosevelt's belief in the US as a civilised nation
Theodore Roosevelt's belief in the superiority of the United States as a "civilised" nation was a central tenet of his presidency and greatly influenced his foreign policy decisions. Roosevelt believed that the US was a "civilised" nation, occupying the pinnacle of social achievement, and that it was the duty of such nations to intervene in the affairs of "uncivilised" nations to uplift them. This belief, coupled with his conviction that white men of European descent were innately superior, shaped his approach to race relations, land rights, American imperialism, and even the emerging science of eugenics.
Roosevelt's notion of "civilisation" was closely tied to his concept of racial hierarchy, which held that white men were at the top, with other races considered inferior. However, he maintained that individuals from "inferior" races could rise from their lower stations, reflecting a belief in racial mobility. This ideology was influenced by evolutionary theorists such as Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin.
As president, Roosevelt actively promoted this ideology, favouring the removal of Native Americans from their ancestral territories and establishing national parks on their land. His policies contributed to the decimation of Native cultures and communities. Roosevelt's belief in US exceptionalism and its role as a "civilising" force led him to pursue an interventionist foreign policy, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he enacted his Big Stick policy.
The "Big Stick" policy, also known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, asserted US domination and justified intervention in Latin America to preserve order and protect US interests. Roosevelt's precedent of intervening in Latin America set a precedent for economic colonialism in the region and influenced the actions of subsequent US presidents.
Roosevelt's belief in the US as a civilised nation also extended to his domestic policies. He was known for his progressive reforms, such as improving labour conditions and preserving the American landscape. Additionally, he supported policies of assimilation for indigenous Americans, reflecting his belief in the superiority of Anglo-Saxon culture. Roosevelt's complex legacy is marked by these contradictions, where his achievements as a reformer coexist with the negative impacts of his racial beliefs on marginalised communities.
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The US's role in Latin America
Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy was a political approach that guided his administration's foreign policy positions. The policy emerged after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the United States' emergence as an imperial power. Roosevelt's policy had five components. Firstly, it emphasised diplomatic negotiation and peaceful resolution of conflicts as the primary means to protect national interests and resolve disputes. Secondly, it asserted that military force should only be employed as a last resort if negotiations failed. Thirdly, it stressed the importance of deterrence, arguing that displaying military might could prevent potential threats from arising. Fourthly, it aimed to increase the United States' role in international diplomacy, while also building a strong navy to match its diplomatic ambitions. Finally, it sought to intervene in the affairs of Latin American nations to maintain order and uphold their obligations to international creditors.
Roosevelt's actions in Panama also exemplified his administration's approach to Latin America. The United States sided with Panama in its war with Colombia, which was controversial as it involved interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign Latin American nation. The US leased land in Panama and promoted the construction of the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This intervention in Panama was part of Roosevelt's "Canal Diplomacy," which aimed to secure a canal route across Central America.
Roosevelt's policies in Latin America had significant implications for the region's dynamics. Critics argue that Big Stick Diplomacy resulted in unequal power dynamics between the United States and Latin American countries, leading to resentment and distrust towards the US. Latin American nations felt subordinate to US power and believed that Roosevelt prioritised military force over diplomatic negotiations, increasing the risks of potential conflicts.
In summary, Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy guided the US role in Latin America, characterised by increased interventionism, a focus on diplomatic negotiations backed by military power, and the utilisation of the Monroe Doctrine to justify its actions. While Roosevelt sought to uphold US interests and influence in the region, his policies also contributed to tensions and criticism regarding unequal power dynamics.
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The US's global influence
Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy was a foreign policy approach that aimed to increase the United States' global influence and protect its national interests. Roosevelt believed that the United States should wield power in world affairs similar to that of European empires, and that it was the role of "civilized" nations to intervene in the affairs of "uncivilized" nations.
One of the key principles of Big Stick Diplomacy was Roosevelt's belief in diplomatic and peaceful negotiation as the primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts. He emphasised that diplomacy was more effective when supported by a strong military. Roosevelt's policy reflected his belief that while diplomacy was always the priority, it was also necessary to have a strong military power to ensure the nation's national security and international influence.
The policy's name, "Speak softly and carry a big stick", derived from a phrase Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence to support this. The "big stick" referred to the military, and the idea that it is better to negotiate peacefully while also having strength in case things go wrong. Roosevelt believed that by maintaining strong military power, a nation can prevent adversaries from challenging its interests and maintain peace and stability in international affairs.
Big Stick Diplomacy was closely linked to events like the Spanish-American War and the expansion of American influence globally. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States experienced significant growth and expansion, both territorially and economically, claiming Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as US territories, making Cuba a US protectorate, and annexing Hawaii. Roosevelt's policy also had a significant impact on Latin America, with the US increasingly using military force to restore internal stability to nations in the region and asserting its dominance when such dominance was considered a moral imperative.
Roosevelt's policy had both supporters and critics. Critics argued that Big Stick Diplomacy resulted in unequal power dynamics between the United States and Latin America, leading to resentment and distrust towards the US. On the other hand, supporters of the policy believed that it helped the United States assert its global influence and protect its national interests.
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The importance of military power
Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy was a foreign policy approach that emphasised the importance of military power in achieving US foreign policy goals. The policy emerged after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the country's emergence as an imperial power. Roosevelt believed that the United States should wield power in world affairs similar to that of European empires. This belief was encapsulated in his famous phrase, ""speak softly and carry a big stick", which he claimed was a West African proverb.
The "big stick" in this phrase refers to the military might of the United States. Roosevelt believed that a strong military was necessary to ensure the nation's security and international influence. He argued that diplomatic and peaceful negotiation should be the primary means to protect national interests and resolve conflicts. However, he also believed that military force should be used if negotiation failed. This idea ties in with the concept of Realpolitik, which implies a pursuit of political power that resembles Machiavellian ideals.
Roosevelt's emphasis on military power was influenced by his concern that if the United States did not take on a bigger role in world affairs, it would decline from being a world power. To prevent this, he wanted the US to play a larger role in international diplomacy while also building up its military capabilities, specifically its navy. Roosevelt never had a large army at his disposal, but he used the military muscle he did have to complement his diplomatic policies and enforce the Monroe Doctrine through interventions in Latin America.
The Roosevelt Corollary of December 1904 stated that the United States would intervene as a last resort to ensure that other nations in the Western Hemisphere fulfilled their obligations to international creditors and did not violate US rights or invite foreign aggression. In practice, this often meant the use of military force to restore internal stability to nations in the region, as seen in interventions in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Roosevelt also used military power in "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions related to the pursuit of a canal across Central America, as seen in incidents in both Nicaragua and Panama.
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The Panama Canal
Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick" diplomacy was a foreign policy approach that emphasised diplomatic negotiation and military power to protect the national interest and assert the country's global influence. The policy emerged after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which marked the United States' emergence as an imperial power. Roosevelt believed that the United States should wield power in global affairs, just as European empires did.
In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pressed the Nicaraguan Government for approval of a canal, offering $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". Nicaragua amended the deal, requesting $6 million in ratification instead of the annual payment, which the US accepted. However, after Congress approved the contract, a problem of court jurisdiction arose. This incident, along with Roosevelt's involvement in Panama's war with Colombia, demonstrated the use of "Big Stick" diplomacy in pursuing a canal across Central America.
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Frequently asked questions
'Big stick diplomacy' was a term coined to describe US President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach. The name comes from a saying Roosevelt often used: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". This meant that the US would use diplomacy and negotiation as a first resort, but would also be prepared to use military force if necessary to protect its national interests and global influence.
Roosevelt believed that the US needed to wield power in world affairs in the same way European empires did. He thought that the US's interests were global interests, and that it was the role of 'civilized' nations to intervene in the affairs of 'uncivilized' nations. He also believed that military force should be used as a last resort if negotiation failed.
Roosevelt's policy resulted in increased US intervention in Latin America. This included the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the US would intervene to ensure that nations in the Western Hemisphere fulfilled their obligations to international creditors, and did not violate US rights or invite 'foreign aggression'. This was used to justify US intervention in Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
