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Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal
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The big stick diplomacy pertained to the construction and control of the Panama Canal. Nevertheless, President Roosevelt used the Big Stick diplomacy during his presidency. However, the big stick diplomacy underwent critics and deployed. The Big Stick policy, also known as Roosevelt Corollary was a policy that policed the small nations that had unstable governments. Moreover, Roosevelt secured the Panama Canal through the Big stick policy. On the other hand, the big stick diplomacy expanded American markets. Nevertheless, Roosevelt’s determination led to the beginning of trade interests within other nations. Also, it negotiated the unspoken threat of a military. Roosevelt deployed military personnels to restore order to an organized government
Further more, Interventionism was continued where it was most convenient; in regard to colonial interests, trade opportunities, ensuring peace overseas and the repayment of foreign debt. Although President Harding claimed we see no part in directing the destinies of the world', it seems that a foreign policy of interventionism was needed in directing the destiny of the United States that was a different matter. Colonial interests were claimed in Alaska, the Philipines, Central America and Hawaii. In 1921 it signed the Four Power Treaty with Britain, France and Japan and then the Nine Power Treaty agreeing to respect China's independence but allowing them equal trading rights and so the ability to abuse China's economy.
Roosevelt presidency is distinguished by his deduction by making America one of the best country in the world. He demonstrates his desire of improving the status of America by making distinguished decision. The Panama Canal is an example. Known as one of the greatest engineering feats in all of history, the Panama Canal is an essential asset for international trade and travel today that President Roosevelt helped expedite the completion by providing tacit approval of the Panama revolution with funds and a naval blockade preventing Colombian troops from landing in Panama (McCullough 364). Although the U.S needed to get permission to build the canal from the country of Colombia, because Panama was part of that country, Roosevelt did not give up on the project since this idea was what many people wanted as an easier way to travel to and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Building the Panama Canal was an incredibly difficult challenge (David). However, there were other country at that time with the money and engineering talent to succeed on such a vast project but didn't have . As an example the French and many previous United State presidents had tried years before to attain this goal, but had ended by giving up since the work included gigantic engineering projects, such as the series of locks that raised the ships from sea level to the level of the canal, and then lowered them back to sea level at the other end (David). This canal portrayed a much greater use than travel and trade, it helped bring two worlds together. This amazing project also converted the Panama Canal Zone into a major area for American military forces, making the United States the dominant military power in Central America ( Miller Center). This action take by Roosevelt influence others, since he was the only president
FDR's Response to the Great Depression. The stock market crash of 1929 set in motion a chain of events that would plunge the United States into a deep depression. The Great Depression of the 1930's spelled the end of an era of economic prosperity during the 1920's. Herbert Hoover was the unlucky president to preside over this economic downturn, and he bore the brunt of the blame for the depression.
Throughout the 20th century, successive presidents pursued foreign policy in different ways but with one objective and that is to make America the most powerful nation on earth. Despite the challenges of each administration during this century, presidents found a way to put American at the frontline as the undisputed super power. President Taft pursued an aggressive foreign policy by introducing dollar diplomacy which was meant to encourage U.S. investments in the Latin America and the Caribbean. He used government officials to promote this policy in hope that it will create markets for American products in the region. President Wilson made a promise to the American people that he will focus on domestic policy agenda and rarely will his administration
The 1940 elections showed that both the Republicans and Democrats supported building up strong the navy and air forces as means of upholding the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which stated that any European colonization of North or South America would be considered an act of aggression (Document E). Although neither American party was in full favor of the involvement in the war at this time, both advocated military defense so that America would not be completely helpless in a potential international conflict. The build-up of the military for defensive shows how the US slowly moved away from an isolationist approach to foreign affairs. Roosevelt also contributed to pulling America out of isolationism by consenting to the 1940 Destroyer Deal, which promised to give Great Britain 50 destroyer vessels in exchange for British bases in North America. This, however, was done without permission from Congress (Source F). It showed America’s shifting perspective on the war. Although America was not officially in the war, its actions seemed to indicate an indirect retaliation against the Axis powers by militarily supporting the Allies. Not only was the United States building up its defense to be better prepared in case it did have to go to war, but, in addition to other policies that provided aid to Allies, such as the 1939 Cash and Carry Policy and the 1941
Between 1895 and 1920, the years in which William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson reigned in the presidents, the United States struggled for not only justice at home but abroad as well. During this period policies such as Roosevelt’s Big Stick diplomacy, William Taft’s Dollar diplomacy, and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral diplomacy were all used in foreign affairs in hopes of benefit for all involved. However, it would be appropriate to say that self-interest was the most important driving factor for American policy and can be exemplified through economic, social, and political relations.
Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Despite an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921, he was a charismatic optimist whose confidence helped sustain the American people during the strains of economic crisis and world war.
During his presidency Roosevelt had a tendency to carry the big stick then to speak softly. He got quite involved with the situation in Central and South America and also there was the controversy of the acquisition of the Philippines in the Pacific Islands. Roosevelt was also able to show the soft-spoken, sophisticated side of his diplomacy in dealing with major powers outside the Western Hemisphere. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiations with Russia and Japan, hardly the actions of a war monger. Roosevelt was just an energetic person and he wanted to civilize what he thought of as uncivilized countries.
In foreign affairs, the "white man's burden" helped to justify Roosevelt's "New Imperialism" in foreign policy. Uncivilized nations would gain eventual independence once they had conformed to the American model of government and democracy. Roosevelt's corollary to the Monroe Doctrine set up the U.S. as policeman in the western hemisphere. Under TR, the U.S. empire extended to include the Philippines, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. He also oversaw the building of the Panama Canal, a tremendous feat that enhanced U.S. commerce immeasurably.
Jerold Auerbach, New Deal, Old Deal, or Raw Deal; Some thoughts on left Historiography, The Journal of Southern History, Vol 35, no.1, (feb 1969) p.22
The “big stick diplomacy” was used to refer to the foreign policy. The point of this act was to avoid war and protect the nation’s political and economical system. Furthermore, “the ultimate aim of big stick diplomacy was to advance the U.S economic aims aboard” (Big Stick). Roosevelt summed up the foreign policy with the phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick.” With this diplomacy he engaged a transaction with the military force if needed. (“Progressive” Encyclopedia) The act was a very wise plan in order to stay out of conflict and help make the U.S more powerful. Roosevelt believed that nations, like individuals, should pursue and maintain peace and order. The most effective big stick was was used in the 1900’s for the “Great White Fleet.” This was because of “the Great White Fleet signaled Roosevelt's to back up his demands with a military force” (Big Stick). The gesture helped Roosevelt tremendously because it went for everything he wanted. In today’s time the big stick diplomacy “has continued to be a dominant aspect of U.S. foreign policy into the twenty-first century (Big Stick). By enforcing these actions, it will help the military's strength, which will be an important asset to the
Roosevelt was able to spread his influence into conflict involving other world powers during this, signifying more respect for American power. Another way this was apparent was in the Open Door Policy in China. Around this time, China was largely controlled by other countries that held spheres of influence in the country. These spheres of influence meant that the countries that controlled them practically had control of all trade and economic activity in the area. When the United States was attempting to grow and expand its influence, President McKinley wanted to be included in Chinese trade, but it was a competitive area.
The era of the Great Depression was by far the worst shape the United States had ever been in, both economically and physically. Franklin Roosevelt was elected in 1932 and began to bring relief with his New Deal. In his first 100 days as President, sixteen pieces of legislation were passed by Congress, the most to be passed in a short amount of time. Roosevelt was re-elected twice, and quickly gained the trust of the American people. Many of the New Deal policies helped the United States economy greatly, but some did not. One particularly contradictory act was the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which was later declared unconstitutional by Congress. Many things also stayed very consistent in the New Deal. For example, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and Social Security, since Americans were looking for any help they could get, these acts weren't seen as a detrimental at first. Overall, Roosevelt's New Deal was a success, but it also hit its stumbling points.
After Theodore Roosevelt was elected as president in the election of 1904, TR immediately brought new excitement into the office. Theodore Roosevelt was ultimately known for his progressive reforms and his foreign policies; he adopted the idea that foreign policy is a main priority and that shifts and changes in industry and foreign trade will lead to social and political changes within the nation. With this idea, it is significant to understand that T. Roosevelt believed that if American citizens abuse focus on our industry, the nation and government will collapse and will not be benefitting in terms of welfare and foreign relations. He expresses this idea when he states, “tremendous changes wrought by the extraordinary industrial development of the last half century are felt in every fiber of our social and political being (T. Roosevelt, 1905). This idea that foreign policy is somewhat more important than domestic policies is very different when compared to president Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR is known to believe that foreign policies should come after domestic growth, and that Americans cannot progress and become better in foreign policies when citizens are still struggling with themselves domestically. Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, FDR believes that if necessary, the United States should go to war in order to protect themselves and their ground. Theodore Roosevelt had the idea that war was unnecessary and believed in peace, so this idea was very different from that of his family. In his Inaugural Address, FDR states, “I shall ask Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis -- broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency,...” (F.D. Roosevelt, 1933). With the idea that war
Another policy that occurred because of the war was the “open door” policy. America had much interest in Asia, and the Philippines provided a door to China. America viewed China as a weak country, and was afraid that other countries might attack China, take over, and exploit it. The annexation of the Philippines gave America the opportunity to “protect” china. So the Americans proposed an open door policy, where each country in the treaty were allowed a place of influence, where china had to respect the laws of the countries, but were allowed to collect tariffs.