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

Question

(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 most accurate response to why Theodore Roosevelt thought merely the threat of force was sufficient to achieve his foreign policy goals is:

Recent military successes had established the U.S.'s ability to back up its threats.

Roosevelt believed that a strong military presence and the credible threat of force could be an effective means of achieving diplomatic objectives, reflecting his view famously summarized in the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick." The idea was that by demonstrating military strength, the United States could influence other nations' behaviors without necessarily resorting to direct conflict.