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

policy goals?
(1 point)
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.
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.

1 answer

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

Theodore Roosevelt believed that the United States had demonstrated its military strength through recent successes, which allowed him to leverage the threat of force effectively in international relations. His approach was encapsulated in the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick," suggesting that while he preferred diplomacy, the ability to use military force as a last resort was crucial for achieving foreign policy objectives.