Question

Why did Theodore Roosevelt think merely the threat of force was sufficient to achieve his foreign policy goals? (1 point) Responses Recent military successes had established the U.S.'s ability to back up its threats. Recent military successes had established the U.S.'s ability to back up its threats. President McKinley had not been able to use U.S. military force to annex colonies. President McKinley had not been able to use U.S. military force to annex colonies. The American public did not support using military force to attain foreign policy goals. The American public did not support using military force to attain foreign policy goals. Roosevelt felt that engaging in peaceful negotiation was more effective than using force. Roosevelt felt that engaging in peaceful negotiation was more effective than using force.

Answer 1

The correct response is: Recent military successes had established the U.S.'s ability to back up its threats.

Theodore Roosevelt believed that the threat of force, often encapsulated in his phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick," was effective because the United States had demonstrated its military capabilities and successes in recent conflicts, which gave weight to the threats and made diplomatic negotiations more persuasive.