Question

The Panama Canal President William McKinley ushered in the era of the American empire using military strength and economic pressure. His successor, Theodore Roosevelt, established a new foreign policy approach called big stick diplomacy. At the crux of his foreign policy was a thinly veiled threat. Roosevelt was convinced that recent American military successes made the use of force to achieve foreign policy goals unnecessary. Simply the threat of military force was enough. Roosevelt felt that America’s best interests were also the best interests of the rest of the hemisphere. He felt the U.S. had the right and duty to police the Americas. This belief, and his strategy of “speaking softly and carrying a big stick,” shaped much of Roosevelt’s foreign policy. Upon becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt was determined to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Roosevelt sought to achieve the construction of a canal across Central America. The canal was mainly intended to enable the U.S. Navy to operate more effectively in both the Atlantic and Pacific, but also made international trade easier. The most strategic location for a canal was across the Isthmus of Panama, but this piece of land would pose a challenge. At the time, Panama was part of the nation of Colombia. Roosevelt negotiated with the government of Colombia using his big stick philosophy. He threatened to take the project away from Colombia and build through Nicaragua. Colombia finally agreed to a treaty that granted the United States a lease on the land across Panama. In exchange for the land, Colombia received a payment of $10 million. Colombia received an additional $250,000 annual rental fee. The Cape Horn sea route begins in Seattle, Washington. It passes southward through the Pacific Ocean following the coasts of North America, Central America, and South America to Cape Horn. At Cape Horn it turns northward. This sea route then passes northward through the Atlantic Ocean following the coasts of South America and North America. It ends in New York City, New York. The Panama Canal sea route begins in Seattle, Washington. It passes southward through the Pacific Ocean following the coasts of North America and Central America. It turns eastward at the Isthmus of Panama and transits the Panama Canal to the Caribbean Sea. It then passes through the Caribbean Sea and turns northward. Finally, it follows the coast of North America to New York City, New York. Before the Panama Canal was built, ships had to use the long, dangerous route around South America’s Cape Horn to sail between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Colombian people were outraged over the loss of their land to the United States. Influenced by the public outcry, the Colombian Senate rejected the treaty. Upon hearing the treaty had been rejected, Roosevelt urged Panama to revolt against Colombia. Panama declared independence and the U.S. immediately recognized the new nation. Once the Panamanian victory was secured, construction on the canal began in May of 1904. While the area was the best location strategically, engineers would need to modify the land with physical features, such as walls to complete the lock system that would allow ships to navigate the narrow area and shallow waters. Excited by the work, Roosevelt became the first sitting U.S. president to conduct an official international trip. He traveled to Panama where he visited the construction site, taking a turn at the steam shovel and removing dirt. The Panama Canal was constructed across the isthmus of Panama connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal officially opened in 1914, permanently changing world trade and military defense patterns.

As America grew into a prosperous nation in the early 1900s, it began to take on more influence in global politics. Explain Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy” and how it contributed to this growing power. (Unit 10 lesson 4 p. 2)

Answer 1

4 sentences only

Answer 2

3 sentences only

Answer 3

Describe where the Panama Canal was located and how it helped to improve trade around the world.
Remember that each response must be a minimum of three sentences.

Answer 4

Theodore Roosevelt’s "Big Stick Policy" was a core component of his foreign policy that emphasized the use of diplomatic negotiation backed by the credible threat of military force. The phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick" encapsulated Roosevelt's belief that while the United States should approach international relations through diplomacy and negotiation, it should also be prepared to use its military might if necessary. This approach allowed the U.S. to assert its influence in global affairs, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.

### Key Aspects of the Big Stick Policy:

1. **Military Deterrence:** Roosevelt believed that the mere threat of U.S. military strength could compel other nations to align with American interests without the need for actual military conflict. This deterrent aspect allowed the U.S. to engage in foreign diplomacy with a show of strength.

2. **American Interventionism:** Roosevelt was convinced that the U.S. had both the right and the duty to intervene in Latin American affairs to maintain stability and order. His administration used the Big Stick Policy to justify American intervention in various countries, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. was a guardian of democracy and progress in the Americas.

3. **Panama Canal:** The construction of the Panama Canal is one of the most significant examples of Roosevelt's Big Stick Policy in action. When Colombia rejected a treaty that would allow the U.S. to build the canal, Roosevelt supported a rebellion in Panama, leading to its independence. The U.S. quickly recognized Panama and secured a treaty for canal construction. This not only enhanced U.S. naval mobility but also established the U.S. as a dominant power in the region, showcasing its willingness to use both diplomatic and military avenues to achieve its goals.

### Contributions to Growing American Power:

1. **Strategic Military Positioning:** The completion of the Panama Canal allowed the U.S. Navy to move quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly enhancing U.S. military readiness and operational flexibility. This strategic advantage solidified the U.S. position as a global power.

2. **Economic Interests:** The canal also facilitated international trade by providing a much shorter and safer route for ships, thereby boosting American economic interests. Greater trade access and efficiency helped to promote U.S. economic dominance in global markets.

3. **Influence in Latin America:** Roosevelt’s policies resulted in increased American influence in Latin America, often referred to as "Roosevelt's Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine. By intervening in the affairs of Latin American countries, the U.S. positioned itself as a regional authority, which led to both economic and political control over weaker nations.

4. **Foundation for Future Policy:** Roosevelt’s emphasis on military readiness and intervention set a precedent for future U.S. foreign policy. Subsequent administrations would continue to embrace varying degrees of interventionism, influencing America's role on the world stage throughout the 20th century.

Overall, Roosevelt's Big Stick Policy was instrumental in transitioning the United States into a more assertive and influential global power during the early 20th century, shaping its foreign relations and paving the way for increased American involvement in international affairs.

Answer 5

Theodore Roosevelt’s "Big Stick Policy" emphasized negotiating peacefully while maintaining a credible military threat, encapsulated in the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick." This approach allowed the U.S. to assert its influence in Latin America, exemplified by the U.S. support for Panama's independence to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. The canal enhanced American military mobility and international trade efficiency, solidifying the U.S. as a dominant force in the region. Ultimately, this policy marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign relations, prioritizing interventionism and establishing a foundation for future American global influence.

Answer 6

Theodore Roosevelt’s "Big Stick Policy" urged the use of diplomatic negotiation backed by the threat of military force, allowing the U.S. to assert its influence in Latin America. This was exemplified by U.S. support for Panama’s independence, which facilitated the construction of the strategically vital Panama Canal. Ultimately, the policy marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign relations, establishing America as a dominant power in international affairs.

Answer 7

The Panama Canal is located across the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This strategic location allows ships to transit between the two oceans without having to navigate the lengthy and treacherous route around South America's Cape Horn. By significantly reducing travel time and distance for maritime trade, the canal helped to facilitate faster and more efficient international trade routes, ultimately enhancing global commerce and economic interactions.