U10L4: President Theodore Roosevelt

What was big stick diplomacy?

Roosevelt's foreign policy was called big stick diplomacy. Roosevelt felt that past U.S. military successes meant that the use of force was not necessary to achieve foreign policy goals. Rather, the U.S. needed to use only the threat of force to get what it wanted.

Monroe Doctrine

a policy expressing that European interference in the Western Hemisphere would be seen as an act of aggression against the U.S.

big stick diplomacy

a policy used by Theodore Roosevelt that threatened force to achieve foreign policy goals

Panama Canal

a shipping canal across the Isthmus of Panama, linking the Caribbean Sea (and the Atlantic Ocean) to the Pacific Ocean

How was the Monroe Doctrine important to the Roosevelt Corollary?

Early in the 19th century, the Monroe Doctrine warned European nations that there were consequences for interfering in the Western Hemisphere. The Roosevelt Corollary expanded on the Monroe Doctrine to state that the U.S. planned to police the region.

How did Roosevelt impact that Russo-Japanese War?

In order to maintain a balance of power in Asia, Roosevelt took steps to end the war between Russia and Japan. He invited the leaders of the two countries to take part in a secret peace negotiation in Portsmouth, New Hampshire that ended the conflict.

Why was Theodore Roosevelt worried about Japan winning the Russo-Japanese War?

Japanese victory could limit American access to Chinese markets.

What details from each of the excerpts demonstrate the authors' opinions?

Mark Twain's sentence, "We have gone there to conquer, not to redeem," shows that he is opposed to Roosevelt's foreign policy of expansion overseas. The News Scimitar excerpt is filled with glowing descriptions of Roosevelt's imperialism and "genius." This shows the author's approval of his foreign policies.

Why did Theodore Roosevelt think merely the threat of force was sufficient to achieve his foreign policy goals?

Recent military successes had established the U.S's ability to back up its threats

Why did Theodore Roosevelt intervene in the Russo-Japanese War?

Roosevelt wanted to maintain a balance of power in Asia to protect U.S. economic interests in the area. When war broke out between Japan and Russia, Roosevelt wanted to curb Japanese influence in the region.

The Democratic party is making a serious blunder in criticizing President Roosevelt's foreign policy. The contention [argument] of the Democratic press and campaign speakers on this subject cannot stand the light of facts. They may take advantage of the general lack of acquaintance throughout the United States with conditions abroad, but when these are known and understood there can result nothing but praise and admiration for the President's policy. . . . We hear much about the "big stick" from Democratic speakers, and yet these orators [speakers] are the ones who would first call for the President's protection if they were in trouble in other lands. The critics that inveigh [protest] against the President's imperialism are the same class of men who would first clamor for the protection of the flag if they had interests abroad which were in any way assailed because of American potency of action. Use the excerpt from an article by John Barrett published in The Daily Palladium on October 27, 1904 to answer the question. Select the text that indicates the author's opinion of Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policies. Select the two correct answers.

Sentence 1: The democratic party is making a serious blunder in criticizing President Roosevelt's foreign policy. Sentence 3: There can result nothing but praise and admiration for the President's policy.

What was the Gentlemen's Agreement?

The Gentlemen's Agreement was an effort to ease immigration tensions. The U.S. agreed to not pass laws discriminating against Japanese immigrants. In return, the Japanese government limited the immigration of Japanese laborers to the U.S.

Why was the Panama Canal important?

The Panama Canal was important because it connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The U.S. wanted the canal for military and economic reasons. Ships in the Atlantic had previously had to go all the way around South America to get to the Pacific Ocean. Goods being shipped between the East and West Coasts of the U.S. could be shipped more quickly through the Panama Canal. The canal would also allow the U.S. Navy to move more efficiently in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

The Roosevelt Corollary was a speech in which Roosevelt stated that European intervention in the Western Hemisphere was over. It let Latin American countries know that the U.S. would intervene to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Why was the Roosevelt Corollary important?

The Roosevelt Corollary was an important addition to the Monroe Doctrine because it sent a message to European and Latin American nations. It stated that the U.S. would not tolerate European interference in the region and that the U.S. would police the area to maintain stability.

How did the Panama Canal benefit U.S. trade?

The canal gave U.S cargo ships a safer, quicker route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

How did Theodore Roosevelt gain access to the land to build the Panama Canal?

The people of Colombia were unhappy with the terms agreed upon to build the Panama Canal, so the agreement fell through. In response, Roosevelt encouraged the people of the Isthmus of Panama to revolt to gain their independence. When Panama declared its independence, the U.S. immediately recognized the new nation and Roosevelt received the support to build the canal.

What was the basic principle of Roosevelt's big stick diplomacy?

Theodore Roosevelt felt that American military successes meant that military force was not needed to realize U.S. foreign policy goals. Rather, the threat of military force was all that was needed to be successful in foreign policy.

What was the purpose of the Roosevelt Corollary?

To discourage European nations from colonizing Latin America

What are the authors' opinions on Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy?

Twain believes imperialism is fueled by self-serving aspirations. Rather than freeing people, the U.S. would be subjugating them. The News Scimitar excerpt praises Roosevelt's construction of the Panama Canal and credits him for saving lives during the Spanish-American War.

Roosevelt Corollary

an addition to the Monroe Doctrine stating the United States (U.S.) would intervene in conflicts between Latin American and European nations

Gentlemen's Agreement

an agreement between Theodore Roosevelt and Japan to calm immigration tensions