Jonah Patel
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 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. Big Stick diplomacy was characterised by peaceful negotiation backed by the threat of military action, and was comparable to gunboat diplomacy. While it helped the United States become a respected world power, it was also criticised for its thinly veiled threats and interventionist approach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Threatening | The "big stick" was a threat, or the military, used to negotiate peacefully but also to have strength in case things go wrong. |
| Coercive | The power wielded by the U.S. could be harmful in the wrong hands, but Roosevelt believed U.S. interests were global interests and that it was good for "civilized" nations to intervene in other countries' affairs. |
| Unnecessary | Roosevelt believed that due to the country's recent military successes, it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, so long as the military could threaten force. |
| Harmful | The big stick policy led to war when not coupled with respectful and peaceful negotiation. |
| Inadequate | Without a military presence, Roosevelt could not use his "big stick" threat credibly to achieve his foreign policy goals. |
| Ineffective | If a nation speaks softly, it will be bullied. If it carries the stick but does not speak softly, it will be outdone by a bigger stick. |
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What You'll Learn
It was a thinly-veiled threat
The "big stick" ideology, also known as big stick diplomacy or 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 to support this.
The "big stick" ideology was, at its core, a thinly-veiled threat. Roosevelt believed that the United States' recent military successes meant that it was unnecessary to use force to achieve foreign policy goals, so long as the military could threaten to use force. This belief was shaped by Roosevelt's philosophy, which he termed the "strenuous life", and which prized challenges overseas as opportunities to instill American men with the resolve and vigour they allegedly had once acquired in the Trans-Mississippi West. Roosevelt wanted the US to wield a "big stick" in global affairs, just as European empires did.
Roosevelt's "big stick" policy 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 building a world-class navy. Roosevelt did not have a large army at his disposal until the 1900s. The second component was to use peaceful negotiation, but also to have strength in case things went wrong. This ties in with the idea of Realpolitik, which implies a pursuit of political power that resembles Machiavellian ideals. The third component was to simultaneously threaten with the "big stick", or the military. The fourth component was to be respectful towards all people and scrupulously refrain from wronging them. The fifth component was to keep the nation in a condition to prevent wrongs from being done to it.
Roosevelt's "big stick" policy was used in several instances. One example was during "Canal Diplomacy", the diplomatic actions of the US 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. The US accepted the deal, but a problem of court jurisdiction arose. After pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua, Roosevelt chose to wield the "big stick". He sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, ostensibly for practice manoeuvres, as the Panamanian revolution unfolded. The warships blocked Colombia from moving additional troops into the region to quell the growing Panamanian uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt recognised Panama as a new country, and it became an American protectorate until 1939. Another example of Roosevelt's "big stick" policy was his intervention to prevent war between Germany and France over their colonial claims in Morocco.
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It was based on a false premise
Big stick diplomacy was based on the false premise that it was necessary for the United States to wield a "big stick" in global affairs, just as European empires did. This assumption was flawed because it implied that military strength and coercion were the only means to achieve foreign policy goals and maintain international influence. While Roosevelt believed that the United States had a right and obligation to be the "policeman of the hemisphere," this assumption overlooked the importance of peaceful negotiation and respect in international relations.
The "big stick" metaphor itself, derived from the proverb "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," suggests that having a strong military is more important than speaking softly or negotiating peacefully. This assumption is flawed because it prioritizes the use of force or the threat of force over diplomacy and cooperative solutions. While Roosevelt claimed that this proverb was a West African proverb, there is little evidence to support this claim.
Furthermore, the idea that military strength alone can guarantee international influence is questionable. Roosevelt's belief that the United States could intervene in other countries' affairs because it was a "civilized" nation reflects a paternalistic and condescending attitude towards other nations. It assumes that the United States has the right to impose its values and will on other countries, which is a form of imperialism and a violation of the sovereignty of those nations.
Additionally, the effectiveness of big stick diplomacy in achieving its intended goals can be questioned. While Roosevelt sought to use the "big stick" to police small debtor nations with unstable governments in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is debatable whether this approach fostered long-term stability or improved relations in the region. The focus on military strength and coercion may have contributed to tensions and conflicts, rather than promoting sustainable solutions through diplomacy and cooperation.
Lastly, the assumption that military strength is the primary determinant of a country's global influence overlooks the importance of economic power, soft power, and international cooperation. While military might can be a tool of coercion and deterrence, it does not necessarily translate directly into diplomatic influence or respect on the world stage. A more nuanced approach that recognizes the complexity of international relations and the interplay of various factors, including cultural, economic, and diplomatic influences, would be more accurate and effective.
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It was coercive
Big Stick diplomacy was coercive in nature. The policy, popularized and named by US President Theodore Roosevelt, was based on the idea of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick". Roosevelt believed that the US had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the Western Hemisphere. This belief shaped much of his foreign policy.
Roosevelt's diplomacy was underpinned by the notion of negotiating peacefully while also having the military strength to enforce one's will if needed. He felt that the US's coercive power could be harmful in the wrong hands, but that ultimately, the Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the US. This rationale rested on his philosophy, which he termed the "strenuous life", that prized challenges overseas as opportunities to instill American men with the resolve and vigour they once had.
Roosevelt's approach to foreign policy was often depicted in cartoons, wielding his "big stick" and pushing the US forward. He believed that the US interests were global interests and that it was good for "civilized" nations to intervene in other countries' affairs. This belief led to interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean, where he enacted the Big Stick policy to police small debtor nations with unstable governments.
Roosevelt's coercive diplomacy was also evident in his support for the Panamanian people's revolution against Colombia in 1903. He sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, blocking their ability to move troops and quell the uprising. Within a week, he recognized Panama as a new country, and it became an American protectorate until 1939.
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It was harmful to the interests of other nations
Big Stick diplomacy was a political approach used by the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The ideology behind it was "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, along with his strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick", shaped much of his foreign policy.
Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy was harmful to the interests of other nations. It was based on the idea of negotiating peacefully but also having the strength to take action if needed. This often involved the use of military force or the threat of it. Roosevelt believed that the United States had a right to intervene in other countries' affairs and that it was good for "civilized" nations to do so. This belief led to Roosevelt's involvement in the Panamanian revolution. In 1903, he sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, claiming they were for practice maneuvers, while in reality, they blocked Colombia from moving troops to stop the growing Panamanian uprising. Within a week of the successful revolution, Roosevelt recognized Panama as a new country, and it became an American protectorate until 1939.
Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy was also evident in his dealings with Nicaragua. 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 countered, requesting $6 million in ratification instead of the annual payment. The US accepted the deal, but a problem arose over court jurisdiction, and pro-Panama representatives posed further problems for Nicaragua.
Furthermore, Roosevelt's belief in the strenuous life and his philosophy that challenges overseas were opportunities to instill American men with resolve and vigor led to his involvement in the Russo-Japanese War. Initially, Roosevelt supported Japan's position, but as Japanese influence in the region grew, he became concerned and shifted his support. Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy, therefore, had a significant impact on the interests of other nations, as he actively intervened in their affairs and exerted American influence to shape outcomes in favor of what he believed to be in the best interests of the United States.
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It was a form of gunboat diplomacy
Big stick diplomacy was a political approach used by the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The term "big stick diplomacy" 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 style of foreign policy, which involved negotiating peacefully while also having the military strength to back up his threats if needed. This approach is comparable to gunboat diplomacy, a form of international politics where military power is used to exert influence and pressure.
Roosevelt believed that the United States had a right and an obligation to be the "policeman" of the Western Hemisphere. He felt that American interests were global interests and that it was the duty of the United States, as a "civilized" nation, to intervene in other countries' affairs. This belief, along with his strategy of "speaking softly and carrying a big stick", shaped his foreign policy decisions.
One example of Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy in action was during the Panamanian revolution in 1903. Roosevelt made it clear that the United States would support the Panamanian people if they chose to revolt against Colombia and form their own nation. To back up this statement, he sent American battleships to the coast of Colombia, blocking their ability to move additional troops into the region and quelling the uprising. Within a week, Roosevelt recognized Panama as a new country and offered them the same terms he had previously offered Colombia. Panama became an American protectorate and remained so until 1939.
Another instance of big stick diplomacy occurred during the pursuit of a canal across Central America, known as "Canal Diplomacy". In 1901, the United States 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". Nicaragua countered with a request for $6 million in ratification instead of the annual payment. The deal was accepted by the US, but a problem of court jurisdiction arose. The issue was almost corrected until pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua, leading to the eventual construction of the Panama Canal.
While Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy helped make the United States a respected world power, it also had its drawbacks. The approach relied heavily on military strength and coercion, which some may view as a negative aspect of his foreign policy. Additionally, the belief that the United States had the right to intervene in other countries' affairs may be seen as a form of imperialism, which could be considered detrimental to the sovereignty and self-determination of other nations.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Big Stick" refers to the military might of a nation, specifically its navy.
"Big Stick Diplomacy" was a foreign policy approach popularized and named after US President Theodore Roosevelt. It involved negotiating peacefully while also having the strength to take action if needed.
"Big Stick Diplomacy" was bad because it involved the constant threat of military force, which could easily lead to war. It also involved the belief that the US had the right and obligation to police other nations, which could be seen as imperialist and harmful to other nations' sovereignty.
Theodore Roosevelt used "Big Stick Diplomacy" in the construction of the Panama Canal. He threatened Colombia with the "Big Stick" by sending American battleships to the country's coast, supporting the Panamanian people in their revolt against Colombia. Another example is the Great White Fleet, which peacefully circumnavigated the globe as a demonstration of US military power.
