Omar Bennett
Big Stick Diplomacy was a term used to describe the foreign policy of 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 policy emphasized the threat of military force in foreign relations, with the aim of using the United States' military strength as a deterrent, giving the country leverage in negotiations. This approach is exemplified by Roosevelt's deployment of the Great White Fleet in the western Pacific Ocean from 1907 to 1909 as a show of force to Japan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Policy of | Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States |
| Description | Negotiating peacefully but also having the strength of the military as a threat in case things go wrong |
| Foreign Policy | Utilize the United States' military strength as a deterrent, giving the U.S. leverage in negotiations with other countries |
| Foreign Policy Aim | To maintain a balance of power among the nations |
| Roosevelt's Quote | "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" |
| Roosevelt's Foreign Policy Description | "The exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis" |
| Roosevelt Corollary | The United States would use military force to act as an international police power and correct any chronic wrongdoing by any Latin American nation threatening the stability of the region |
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What You'll Learn
Peaceful negotiation with the threat of military force
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far" is a phrase commonly associated with former US President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy, known as "big stick diplomacy". This approach to international relations emphasizes peaceful negotiation and diplomacy, but with the underlying threat of military intervention if necessary.
Big stick diplomacy can be understood as a strategy that involves negotiating peacefully with other nations while also possessing and displaying significant military capabilities. The "big stick" in this context refers to the military might of the United States, which Roosevelt intended to use as a deterrent and a means to gain leverage in negotiations. Roosevelt believed that by having a strong military, the US could deter adversaries and influence international relations. This approach is particularly applicable in regions where the US has a strong military presence, such as Latin America, where the US could quickly and easily act on any threats.
An example of Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy in action was the negotiation of the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. Roosevelt arranged for diplomats from both nations to attend a secret peace conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, resulting in a peace deal that maintained a balance of power in the region. Roosevelt's strategy of combining diplomacy with the threat of force was effective in this case, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.
Another illustration of big stick diplomacy is the construction of the Panama Canal, where the US intervened in Panama's fight for independence from Colombia to secure its interests in the canal project. Roosevelt's policies, particularly his intervention in Panama and his assertion of US rights in Latin America through the Roosevelt Corollary, shaped American foreign policy in the early 1900s. The Roosevelt Corollary, an addition to the Monroe Doctrine, stated that the US would use military force as an "international police power" to correct any wrongdoing or instability in Latin America.
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Use of military force in Latin America
Big stick diplomacy was a foreign policy approach used by the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. 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 emphasised the use of military power and a strong presence to achieve diplomatic goals, and it had a significant impact on the US's relations with Latin America.
The idea behind big stick diplomacy was to negotiate peacefully while having the strength to resort to military force if necessary. This approach is comparable to gunboat diplomacy, which involves using naval forces to land in a national capital, seize control of the government, and implement policies that favour one's own interests. Roosevelt believed that a strong military could serve as a deterrent against potential threats and a means to secure American interests. This belief led to increased US involvement in Latin America, often under the guise of maintaining order and stability.
One example of big stick diplomacy in Latin America was the US's pursuit of a canal across Central America, known as "Canal Diplomacy". In 1901, the US negotiated with Nicaragua for the construction of the canal, offering $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and the provision of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, when Nicaragua requested a change in the contract, the US deployed naval forces to ensure Panama's independence from Colombia, ultimately acquiring the Canal Zone.
Another instance of big stick diplomacy in Latin America was Roosevelt's enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the US would treat any military intervention in Latin America by a European power as a threat to its security. Roosevelt expanded this doctrine by declaring that the US had the right to intervene in any Latin American nation to correct administrative and fiscal deficiencies. This policy, known as the Roosevelt Corollary, justified repeated police actions in Caribbean and Latin American countries by US marines and naval forces.
The long-term effects of big stick diplomacy in Latin America were significant, fostering resentment towards US interventions that were often perceived as imperialistic. This created a legacy of mistrust that influenced future relations between Latin America and the United States. It also paved the way for policies such as dollar diplomacy, which offered a less costly method of empire by exerting economic control over Latin America instead of relying solely on military occupation.
Teddy Roosevelt's Big Stick in Panama
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Canal Diplomacy in Central America
"Big stick diplomacy" was a term used to describe the foreign policy approach of the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. 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 but also having the strength to back up one's demands, if necessary, with the threat of military force.
In 1901, the United States, represented by Secretary of State John Hay, negotiated with the Nicaraguan Government for approval to construct a canal within their territory. The canal was intended to provide a passage for both military and commercial shipping between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The US offered Nicaragua $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". Nicaragua requested a change to the deal, asking for $6 million in ratification instead of the annual payment. The US accepted these terms, but a legal issue arose regarding court jurisdiction.
At this point, pro-Panama representatives, with the support of the US, posed problems for Nicaragua. The US had a vested interest in securing the canal's construction in Panama, which was then a part of Colombia. The Isthmian Canal Commission was formed in 1899 to determine the best site for the canal, either Nicaragua or Panama. Roosevelt opened negotiations with Colombia to secure the right to build the canal across Panama. When Colombia rejected the terms of the agreement, the US, under Roosevelt's direction, supported a Panamanian revolution with money and a naval blockade, preventing Colombian troops from landing in Panama.
In 1903, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was signed with Panama, granting the US perpetual control of the canal for $10 million and an annual payment of $250,000. The Panama Canal was finally completed in 1914, becoming one of the world's greatest engineering feats. It shortened the voyage from San Francisco to New York by more than 8,000 miles and served as a major staging area for American military forces, solidifying the US's dominant military position in Central America.
Roosevelt's actions in Central America, particularly his support for the Panamanian revolution and his defiance of international law, were criticized as imperialist. However, he did not shy away from this label and was unapologetic about his pursuit of expanding US influence and power on the world stage.
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The pursuit of a balance of power in Asia
Big Stick Diplomacy was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term is derived from an aphorism often used by Roosevelt: "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". This approach was based on the belief that it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, as long as the military could threaten force.
Roosevelt's pursuit of a balance of power in Asia can be seen in his actions during the negotiations between Russia and Japan. When Japan forced American business interests out of Manchuria in 1906–1907, Roosevelt invoked his "big stick" foreign policy by sending the US Great White Fleet on manoeuvres in the western Pacific Ocean as a show of force. These negotiations reinforced the Open Door policy throughout China and the rest of Asia, maintaining a balance of power in the region.
In addition to his actions in China and Manchuria, Roosevelt also sought to maintain a balance of power in other parts of Asia. For example, in the Philippines, Roosevelt negotiated with the Filipino leaders to grant them independence, while also ensuring that the United States maintained a strong presence in the region through economic and military agreements.
Overall, Roosevelt's pursuit of a balance of power in Asia was a key aspect of his Big Stick Diplomacy. By using a combination of peaceful negotiations, military threats, and economic coercion, Roosevelt sought to maintain stability and prevent any single country from gaining too much power in the region. This approach had both short-term and long-term impacts on the geopolitical landscape of Asia and contributed to the formation of the modern nation-state system in the region.
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Realpolitik
Big Stick Diplomacy was a term used to describe the foreign policy approach of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. The policy was based on the idea of "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far", an African proverb often quoted by Roosevelt. This approach emphasised the threat of military force in foreign policy, using the country's military strength as a deterrent and giving the US leverage in negotiations. Roosevelt believed in acting with "intelligent forethought" and "decisive action" in advance of any potential crisis, and his policy had five components:
- Possession of a serious military capability that would force an adversary to pay attention—in practice, this meant having a world-class navy.
- Acting justly towards other nations.
- Never bluffing.
- Striking only when prepared to strike hard.
- Allowing the adversary to save face in defeat.
Big Stick Diplomacy was applied to countries in Latin America, such as Panama and Cuba, and also during "Canal Diplomacy" in Central America. In 1901, the US negotiated with Nicaragua for the construction of a canal, offering $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, the deal encountered legal issues regarding court jurisdiction, and due to interference from pro-Panama representatives, the canal was ultimately built in Panama.
The concept of Big Stick Diplomacy is closely tied to the idea of Realpolitik, which implies a pursuit of political power that resembles Machiavellian ideals. Realpolitik involves pragmatic and pragmatic, often power-centric, decision-making in politics and international relations, unconstrained by ideological principles or moral considerations. It focuses on the practical realities of a situation and the balance of power, rather than ideals or ethics. In the context of Roosevelt's foreign policy, Realpolitik influenced his emphasis on military strength and his willingness to use the threat of force as a negotiating tool.
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Frequently asked questions
Big stick diplomacy is a term used to describe the policy of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, which emphasised the threat of military force in foreign policy.
The idea behind big stick diplomacy is to negotiate peacefully but also have the strength to fall back on if things go wrong. This ties in with the idea of Realpolitik, which implies a pursuit of political power.
Roosevelt used big stick diplomacy to maintain a balance of power in Asia, where the US had less of a military presence. He also used it in Latin America, where the US had a strong military presence and could quickly and easily act on any threat of military action.
