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Big stick diplomacy, big stick ideology, big stick philosophy, or big stick policy refers to a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, in 1901. 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, although there is little evidence for that. Big stick diplomacy was used by Roosevelt to enforce the Monroe Doctrine during multiple interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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What You'll Learn
- 'Big stick' ideology was used during the US's 'canal diplomacy' in Central America
- The policy was derived from a West African proverb
- It was popularized by US President Theodore Roosevelt
- Roosevelt believed the US had the right to be the 'policeman' of the Western Hemisphere
- The policy was used to enforce the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America
'Big stick' ideology was used during the US's 'canal diplomacy' in Central America
Big stick ideology, big stick diplomacy, 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, although there is little evidence for that.
Big stick diplomacy had five components. First, it was essential to possess serious military capability that would force the adversary to pay close attention. This meant having a world-class navy, as Roosevelt never had a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. Roosevelt used military muscle several times throughout his two terms with a more subtle touch to complement his diplomatic policies and enforce the Monroe Doctrine through multiple interventions in Latin America.
Big stick ideology was used during the US's canal diplomacy in 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 US would "provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, Nicaragua returned the contract draft with a change; they wished to receive $6 million in ratification instead of an annual $100,000. The US accepted the deal, but after Congress approved the contract, a problem of court jurisdiction arose. The US did not have legal jurisdiction in the land of the future canal. This problem was on the verge of correction until pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua.
In 1899, the Isthmian Canal Commission was set up to determine which site would be best for the canal—Nicaragua or Panama. The US had solidified interests in Panama (then a small portion of Colombia), but both Colombia and the French company that was to provide the construction materials raised their prices. The US refused to pay the higher-than-expected fees and "engineered a revolution" in Colombia. On November 3, 1903, Panama (with the support of the United States Navy) revolted against Colombia. Panama became a new republic, receiving $10 million from the US, as well as an annual payment of $250,000 and guarantees of independence. The US gained the rights to the canal strip "in perpetuity". Roosevelt later said that he "took the Canal, and let Congress debate".
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The policy was derived from a West African proverb
The policy was derived from an aphorism, which Roosevelt often cited and claimed was a West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". Roosevelt first mentioned his fondness for this saying in a letter to a friend, dated January 26, 1900, while he was Governor of New York. He wrote:
> I have always been fond of the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
He first publicly used the phrase in March 1900, in relation to his reputation for holding state senators accountable. Later, in September 1901, he used the saying in an address to the Minnesota State Fair, entitled "National Duties".
The phrase became synonymous with Roosevelt and was frequently used by the press, especially in cartoons, to refer to his foreign policy. The "big stick" metaphor was used to describe Roosevelt's belief in the necessity of both speaking softly and carrying a big stick. In other words, it was important to be respectful towards all people and to refrain from wronging them, while also maintaining a strong military capability to prevent wrongs being done to the United States. This belief shaped much of Roosevelt's foreign policy, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he enacted the Big Stick policy to police small debtor nations with unstable governments.
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It was popularized by US President Theodore Roosevelt
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 by the American press during his time in office, as well as by many modern historians, to describe the foreign policy positions during his administration.
The ideology was derived from the aphorism "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt often cited and claimed was a West African proverb, although there is little evidence for that. Roosevelt, then Governor of New York, wrote in a letter dated 26 January 1900:
> I have always been fond of the West African proverb: 'Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.'
He first publicly uttered the phrase in March 1900, in relation to his reputation for holding state senators accountable. Roosevelt would go on to be elected Vice President later that year and used the aphorism in an address to the Minnesota State Fair on 2 September 1901.
Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" had five components. Firstly, it was essential to possess a serious military capability that would force the adversary to pay close attention. Secondly, it was necessary to negotiate peacefully but also have strength in case things went wrong. Thirdly, Roosevelt believed that the coercive power of the United States could be harmful in the wrong hands, but that the Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the United States. Fourthly, Roosevelt's threat of force was credible in Latin America, where the United States had a strong military presence. Finally, in Asia, where the United States had less of a military presence, Roosevelt sought to maintain a balance of power, wherein the various Asian countries kept each other in check and no single player grew too powerful.
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Roosevelt believed the US had the right to be the 'policeman' of the Western Hemisphere
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 term "big stick" is derived from Roosevelt's frequent use of the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". This phrase was used by Roosevelt to explain his diplomatic policies and his approach to issues such as the regulation of monopolies and the demands of trade unions.
Roosevelt believed that the United States had the right to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere. This belief was reflected in his foreign policy, known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine, issued in 1823, stated that European powers should not increase their influence or recolonize any part of the Western Hemisphere. By the 20th century, Roosevelt grew concerned that a crisis between Venezuela and its creditors could spark an invasion of that nation by European powers. He wanted to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage and make the country a global power.
In his annual messages to Congress in 1904 and 1905, Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine to include the Roosevelt Corollary. The corollary stated that the United States had the responsibility to preserve order and protect life and property in the nations of the Western Hemisphere. It also asserted that the United States would intervene as a last resort to ensure that other nations in the region fulfilled their obligations to international creditors and did not violate American rights or invite foreign aggression. Roosevelt's policy was based on the idea of "walking softly but carrying a big stick", where he emphasised the need to be respectful towards all people while also maintaining a strong military capability to defend against wrongdoing.
Roosevelt's belief in the United States' right to police the Western Hemisphere was put into practice through multiple interventions in Latin America. For example, in the case of Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic), Roosevelt ordered an American collector to assume control of the customs houses and collect duties to avoid possible European military action. He also used the "big stick" during Canal Diplomacy in Nicaragua and Panama, where the United States pursued the construction of a canal across Central America.
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The policy was used to enforce the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America
The Monroe Doctrine, a US foreign policy framework addressing America's security and commercial interests in the Western Hemisphere, was announced by President James Monroe in 1823. The Doctrine was a response to the independence of Latin American nations from the Spanish monarchy and their desire to engage in free trade.
The Monroe Doctrine asserted that the American continents were "not to be considered as subjects for colonization by any European" power. It also sought to curb European ambitions in the Western Hemisphere and guide relations with the newly independent nations of Central and South America.
Big Stick Diplomacy, or the Big Stick Policy, was a political approach associated with President Theodore Roosevelt. The term is derived from Roosevelt's frequent use of the phrase, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." This phrase was used to describe his foreign policy approach, which involved possessing serious military capabilities to complement his diplomatic policies.
Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy, in the context of the Monroe Doctrine, reflected a unilateralist and interventionist approach in Latin America, offering US protection to the region while reserving the right to define and respond to perceived threats.
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Frequently asked questions
Big stick diplomacy was popularised by Theodore Roosevelt, who became president in 1901.
Big stick diplomacy, or big stick ideology, is a political approach that involves using military power to threaten an adversary and pursue political goals.
The term "big stick diplomacy" comes from the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", which Roosevelt claimed was a West African proverb.
Roosevelt used big stick diplomacy in various interventions in Latin America, including the Great White Fleet of 16 battleships, which circled the globe as a show of American power. He also used it to support Panama's revolution against Colombia in 1903, sending American battleships to the coast and recognising the new country of Panama.
Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy changed the way the United States operated in the world, making it a respected global power. He believed that the United States had the right and obligation to be the "policeman of the hemisphere" and that it was good for "civilised" nations to intervene in other countries' affairs.
