The United States has endured numerous policies about the strategies in which our country should handle foreign nations. The 20th century gave rise to many opinions regarding America’s stance in relation to other countries: either remain isolationists or become imperialistic. During the time period in which imperialistic views emerged, meeting any challenge to America’s interests overseas was put into effect through the influence of Theodore Roosevelt. It called for working as patiently and peacefully as possible in order to achieve goals. It limited the use of force, though required it only when necessary. It was an ideal balance between staying neutral yet establishing an authoritative presence in the world. With that said, the Big Stick …show more content…
Policy was America’s best approach to foreign policy because it helped us to acquire the Panama Canal and to bring peace to foreign regions. One of the most well known examples of the Big Stick Policy being put into action was the acquisition of the Panama Canal in the early 1900s.
America wanted to build a canal that would allow ships to navigate through Central America, benefiting the U.S. economically. However, the French and Colombian companies that provided materials for construction raised their prices knowing that the U.S. had much interest in it. Peaceful negotiations with the French and Colombians were attempted at first but quickly proved ineffective. Instead of responding with military force, the United States orchestrated a “revolution” that would encourage Panama to break away from Colombia. Their efforts succeeded and Panama— guaranteed money and independence from the U.S.— eventually allowed America permanent access to the Panama Canal. This example demonstrates the effectiveness of the Roosevelt Corollary because the U.S. initially sought for a peaceful agreement; but when it was clear an agreement could not be made, the implementation of naval force to secure the Panama Canal became necessary. As expected with any action that required force, there was controversy over whether the U.S. handled the situation in the best way possible. However, America’s benefit of the construction and control over the Panama Canal proved to outweigh any negative effects that came with …show more content…
it. A major role that the U.S.
held under the Big Stick Policy was “international police power” which had the purpose of preserving peace and order in the world— ultimately protecting American interests. One example that corroborates why Roosevelt’s strategy was the best approach to foreign policy was because of its ability to bring peace to foreign regions like Japan and Russia. These two rival nations were involved in an over-year long war (known as the the Russo-Japan War) over commercial control in Korea and China. Knowing that American business in China would be risked no matter the outcome, Roosevelt exercised international police power by offering to mediate the conflict between Japan and Russia. Weeks of negotiations finally led to a conclusion of the war, and for that, Theodore Roosevelt received a Nobel Peace Prize. Although many can argue that Roosevelt himself was the reason for reduced tensions between Russia and Japan, it is certain that he would not have been able to succeed without the use of “international police power”. Similarly, Roosevelt was able to mediate a conflict between France and Great Britain, and Germany over affairs in Morocco. He achieved the primary goal of protecting U.S. interests by averting a European war to ultimately prevent a disturbance to American trade. Without international police power in both these situations— or the the Big Stick Policy for that matter— the United States would not have been able to step in and resolve the many
foreign conflicts of world in the 1900s. Despite the various foreign policies that the United States has practiced, it is clear that Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy” was the most beneficial and effective in achieving welfare for America. Many may disagree with this, arguing that isolationism was (or is) the U.S.’s best approach to foreign policy. However, one can easily prove that the acquisition of Panama— which opened up major economical advantages for America— and the peace brought upon opposing nations was solely through the works of the Big Stick Policy. Without this key policy, the United States would have the reputation of an inferior nation with weak international power and influence.
Economic self-interest was more effective in driving American foreign policy because the U.S wanted to protect their property. As described in War and other Essays The U.S needed to choose not to be rulers and to let Filipinos and Spanish Americans live their own lives without ...
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.
...work with other nations to keep the peace. It is still in effect today. The UN was not based on or limited to a peace treaty but instead was separate. That helped Roosevelt get support for U.S. membership.
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.
The book A Concise History of U.S. Foreign Policy, by Joyce Kaufman, and the essay, American Foreign Policy Legacy by Walter Mead both acknowledge the history, and the importance of American foreign policy. The two argue that American foreign policy has always been an essential aspect of the prosperity and health of the United States. After reading these writings myself, I can agree that American foreign policy in the U.S. has always been detrimental to the success of this nation. Throughout history most Americans have had very little interest in foreign affairs, nor understood the importance. This essay will address the importance of foreign policy, why Americans have little interest in foreign affairs, and what the repercussions
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of The United States Of America. He was a writer, a naturalist and a soldier. He stretched the forces of the administration and of the national government in backing of the general population enthusiasm toward clashes between huge business and work and guided the country to a dynamic part in world governmental issues. Theodore Roosevelt certainly helped the country in the right direction. He paved the way for reform, especially trust regulation. His nickname as the trustbuster was truly earned as he made many constant efforts in those areas, as well as others. His Square Deal plan targeted trust regulation, labor relations, and public health and conservation, the three
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
Unfortunately, the President’s consistency with Republican principles in matters of political power was not nearly as strong as his resolve to reduce the national debt. Under Jefferson and Madison, the federal government assumed political powers that the Constitution did not allot for. While prior to his presidency, Jefferson, then a strict constructionist had argued that the government should not assume any power unless specifically provided for in the Constitution, the Louisiana Purchase where America purchased a vast tract of land for $15 million, compromised these lofty ideals. In terms of the military, Thomas Jefferson had come to power vowing to reduce military size and power. Contrary to those principles, the Barbary War, where for nearly three years the American military exercised a naval blockade of the North African coast wasted millions of dollars of the people’s money and unconstitutionally violated states rights and strict constructionist principles, in their place asserting an alien un-Republican nationalism.
Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States and held the office from 1913-1921. He became known as “the Crusader” due to his foreign policy theory that America should be a beacon of liberty and aggressively pursue the spread of democracy throughout the world. His policy would enable America to prosper economically and develop an international security community through the promotion of democracy in other nations. While former Secretary of State Kissinger writes in his book Diplomacy that 20th century American foreign policy has been driven by Wilsonian idealism, an analysis of 21st century US foreign policy reveals that, in fact, US foreign policy has been influenced by ideals that can be characterized as Hamiltonian, Jeffersonian, and Jacksonian as well.
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.
“No nation ought to be without debt”, states Thomas Paine” (35). However, “a national debt is a national bond…America is without a debt, and without a navy (35).” In the chapter “Of The Present Ability of America, With Some Miscellaneous” Paine paints a picture of the present day 1776 position of the military. He claims that the America’s position of defending herself is minimal due to a nonexistent navy which has been blocked by England. Great Britain’s debt level is high; rather, the compensation for her debt is the investment of a strong navy to defend herself and the American people. Conversely, “our land force is already sufficient, and as to naval affairs, we cannot be insensible, that Britain would never suffer an American man of war to be built, while the continent remained in her hands” (34). Paine understands the important role of a navy, and he warns the American public that America is vulnerable to attack and destruction because the British will never sacrifice their manpower for America’s liberty and freedom from other countries. Paine points out that America has an opportunity to “leave posterity with a settled form of government, an independent constitution of its own, the purchase at any price will be cheap” and prosper with a constitution and a military of her own to defend herself and her people in times of turmoil and crisis because “a navy when finished is worth more than it cost” (34, 36). “Commerce and protection are united,” and America’s “natural produce” of timber, iron tar, leave the American ports to gain marginal profits for the colonial states across the Atlantic in Europe
Over the course of the Spanish-American war , the obvious need for a canal came apparent.The canal would stregthen the navy, and it would make easier defense of the islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The problem of where to build the canal came into play. Congress rejected Nicaragua and Panama was an unwilling part of this project. The course of the building was shifted to Colu...
Moreover, the Roosevelt Corollary was passed by President Theodore Roosevelt and affirmed that the United States has the right to intervene in Latin America in order to alleviate the economies of Latin American countries that were unable to pay their international debts. The Roosevelt Corollary resulted in U.S. involvement in various countries throughout Latin America, explicitly the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Nicaragua. In the Do...
Immediately following the war with Spain, the United States had both the political will to pursue imperial policies and the geopolitical circumstances conducive to doing so. But the way in which these policies would manifest was an open question; was the impulse to actively remake the world in America’s Anglo-Saxon image justified? Hence, there were several models of American imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century. In the Philippines, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Samoa, the United States asserted unwavering political control. In Cuba, and later throughout most of the Caribbean basin, the economic and political domination of customarily sovereign governments became the policy. Ultimately, the United States was able to expand its territory
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.