The Big Stick Diplomacy: Who Wields The Power?

The 'Big Stick' ideology, also known as 'Big Stick diplomacy', is a political 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, although there is little evidence to support this. This ideology was used by Roosevelt to explain his relations with domestic political leaders and his approach to issues such as the regulation of monopolies and the demands of trade unions. It also shaped his foreign policy, particularly in Latin America, where he used military muscle to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.

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'Big stick' diplomacy is derived from a West African proverb

The term "big stick diplomacy" is derived from a quote attributed to the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The quote, "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," is said to be based on a West African proverb, although this claim has been disputed. Roosevelt, in a letter to a friend, expressed his fondness for this proverb, which he believed embodied the idea of negotiating peacefully while also being prepared to use force if necessary.

The "big stick" in the proverb refers to military strength, and Roosevelt's interpretation of the proverb shaped his foreign policy approach. He believed that the United States had the right and the obligation to intervene in international affairs, particularly in Latin America, to uphold its interests and maintain stability. Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" was marked by a focus on building a strong navy and using diplomatic pressure or the threat of military force to achieve foreign policy goals.

One notable example of Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" was the Venezuela Crisis, where he amended the Monroe Doctrine to assert that the United States would intervene in the affairs of its Latin American neighbors if they defaulted on their debts to Europe. Roosevelt also applied his "big stick" approach to the Panama Canal crisis, where he supported Panamanian independence from Colombia and offered the new country protection and financial support.

Another instance of "big stick diplomacy" was during the pursuit of a canal across Central America, known as "Canal Diplomacy." In 1901, the United States negotiated with Nicaragua and Panama for the construction of a canal, offering financial incentives and assurances of sovereignty. However, legal issues and political opposition complicated the process, highlighting the coercive nature of Roosevelt's diplomatic tactics.

While Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" has been criticized for its aggressive implications, it reflected his belief in the necessity of a strong military presence to support diplomatic endeavors. He advocated for a balanced approach, speaking softly while carrying a big stick, to navigate international relations and promote American interests on the global stage.

Theodore Roosevelt popularized the term during his presidency

The "Big Stick" ideology, also known as Big Stick diplomacy, was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term was popularized by Roosevelt, who often used the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". Roosevelt's first noted public use of the phrase was when he advocated before the U.S. Congress for increasing naval preparation to support the nation's diplomatic objectives.

The "big stick" referred to the military strength of the United States, which Roosevelt believed could be used as a threat to achieve foreign policy goals without actually having to resort to force. This belief shaped much of Roosevelt's foreign policy, which he described as "the exercise of intelligent forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis".

Roosevelt's strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick" was particularly effective in Latin America, where the United States had a strong military presence and could quickly act on any threat of military action. For example, Roosevelt used the "big stick" during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal across Central America. 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 assurances of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity".

Roosevelt also used the "big stick" in Asia, although the United States had less of a military presence there. In 1904, Roosevelt supported Japan's surprise naval attack on the Russian fleet, which was massing troops along the Manchurian border. However, when Japan achieved several quick victories and began to exert its authority over Manchuria, Roosevelt felt the need to invoke his "big stick" policy by sending the U.S. Great White Fleet on maneuvers in the western Pacific Ocean as a show of force from 1907 to 1909.

The policy asserts US domination and moral imperative

The "Big Stick" ideology, also known as Big Stick diplomacy or Big Stick policy, 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. The policy asserted US domination when such dominance was considered a moral imperative.

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, although there is little evidence for that. Roosevelt used the military muscle several times throughout his two terms with a subtle touch to complement his diplomatic policies. He believed that while the coercive power of the United States could be harmful in the wrong hands, the Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the United States. In other words, he felt that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the hemisphere. This belief, and his strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick", shaped much of Roosevelt's foreign policy.

Roosevelt's first noted public use of the phrase occurred when he advocated before the US Congress for increasing naval preparation to support the nation's diplomatic objectives. He believed that in light of the country's recent military successes, it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, as long as the military could threaten force. This rationale also rested on the young president's philosophy, which he termed the "strenuous life", and that prized challenges overseas as opportunities to instill American men with the resolve and vigour they allegedly once had in the Trans-Mississippi West.

The "Big Stick" ideology 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 US would "provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity". However, a problem of court jurisdiction arose as 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.

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It involves negotiating peacefully but also having military strength

The "big stick diplomacy" is a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term “big stick” was used to describe foreign policy positions during his administration. The approach involves negotiating peacefully but also having military strength in case things go wrong.

The "big stick diplomacy" 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. Roosevelt, in a letter to a friend, wrote:

> I have always been fond of the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Roosevelt believed that while the coercive power of the United States could be harmful in the wrong hands, the Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the United States. He felt that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the hemisphere. This belief, and his strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick," shaped much of Roosevelt's foreign policy.

Roosevelt's predecessor, President McKinley, had used military strength and economic coercion to usher in the era of the American empire. However, Roosevelt established a new foreign policy approach, believing that in light of the country's recent military successes, it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, as long as the military could threaten force. This rationale also rested on Roosevelt's philosophy, which he termed the "strenuous life," prizing challenges overseas as opportunities to instill American men with resolve and vigor.

Roosevelt used military muscle several times throughout his two terms to complement his diplomatic policies and enforce the Monroe Doctrine through multiple interventions in Latin America. This included the Great White Fleet, 16 battleships that peacefully circumnavigated the globe as an illustration of the United States' rising yet neutral prestige under Roosevelt's direction. Roosevelt also used the "big stick" during "Canal Diplomacy," the diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal across Central America. In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay pressed the Nicaraguan Government for approval of a canal, offering them $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and a guarantee of "sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity." However, a problem of court jurisdiction arose, and pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua.

Roosevelt believed the US had the right to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere

The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, is known for his "big stick" diplomacy, which was based on the proverb "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far". Roosevelt believed that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere. This belief shaped much of his foreign policy.

Roosevelt's "big stick" diplomacy had five components. Firstly, it was essential to possess serious military capabilities that would force adversaries to pay close attention. At the time, this meant a world-class navy, as Roosevelt did not have a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. He believed that a large and powerful navy was an essential component of national defence and served as a strong deterrent to America's enemies. Roosevelt also used the "big stick" during "canal diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the US during the pursuit of a canal across Central America.

Roosevelt's belief in the United States' role as the policeman of the Western Hemisphere was reflected in his expansion of the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 stated that the United States would not accept European intervention in the Americas. By the 20th century, a more confident United States was willing to take on a more active role in the region. Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, issued in 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 the rights of the United States or invite foreign aggression. This corollary justified American intervention in the Western Hemisphere and Roosevelt used it to pursue his foreign policy goals, such as maintaining a balance of power among the nations in the region.

Roosevelt's belief in the United States' role as the policeman of the Western Hemisphere was also influenced by his philosophy of the "strenuous life", which prized challenges overseas as opportunities to instill American men with resolve and vigour. He also believed that the exportation of American values and ideals would have a positive effect on the world. Roosevelt's "big stick" diplomacy was not limited to the Western Hemisphere, as he also sought to increase the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage and make the country a global power.

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