Anti-Imperialism or Imperialism?

TR’s Perversion of the Monroe Doctrine – Relations with Latin America would take another turn-for-the-worse. Nations like Venezuela and the Dominican Republic were constantly behind in loan payments to European lenders. Roosevelt worried that Europe would take action to collect their money, and thus violate the Monroe Doctrine. This put TR in a bit of a pickle: would he allow delinquency of payments or allow Europe to breech the Monroe Doctrine? He chose neither. – His decision was the Roosevelt Corollary (an addition to the Monroe Doctrine). It said that the U.S. would intervene in Latin America and collect the debts for Europe.

Whereas the Monroe Doctrine had said, "Europe, don't intervene!" the Roosevelt Corollary added, "We'll intervene for you!" In practical terms, the U.S. would take over customs houses and collect taxes and/or use the U.S. navy to seal off Latin American ports for tax collection purposes. – Latin America did not appreciate TR's Big Stick being thrown at them again. The Good Neighbor policy seemed to be more like the "Bad Neighbor" policy. The Big Stick fell on Cuba in Revolutionaries created great instability and the Cuban president asked for U.S. assistance. U.S. Marines moved in for 3 years to offer their help. Still, it was seen as another Bad Neighbor policy move by the bully U.S.

Voyage of the Great White Fleet

Roosevelt Corollary President Theodore Roosevelt shared his Roosevelt Corollary with Congress in It was his addition to the Monroe Doctrine. It said that the U.S. would intervene in the finances of smaller countries in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. wanted to help these countries and prevent the Europeans from taking them over. Big Stick Diplomacy Roosevelt's foreign policy was called "big stick diplomacy." It came from the saying, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." Roosevelt used a "big stick," or threat of using military force, to protect America's interests. This policy was especially prevalent when dealing with Europe and Latin America.

– The Americans gained the upper hand in President McKinley sent William H. Taft to serve as the Philippines' civil governor. A large (350 pounds) and jovial man, Cincinnatian Taft got along well with the Filipinos. They generally liked him and he called them his "little brown brothers."

Under Taft, America pursued a policy called "benevolent assimilation"—to kindly bring the Philippines up to modern civilization. The process was slow but it bore fruits… (AKA Dollar Diplomacy) – With millions in American money, infrastructure (roads, sanitation, etc.) was greatly improved. Public health improved as well. – Trade between the U.S. and the Philippines began, largely in sugar. – Schools were built and American teachers were sent over. – Still, the Filipino's wanted their freedom, and independence was finally granted just after WWII, on July 4, 1946.

Dollar Diplomacy President Taft developed the concept of Dollar Diplomacy to deal with other countries, especially those in Latin America. This policy said that the U.S. should use its financial strength, not its military power, to influence other countries. It encouraged Americans to invest money in foreign markets.

Moralistic Diplomacy in Mexico – For years, the resources of Mexico had been used by American oil, railroad, and mining businesses. The Mexican people were extremely poor and they revolted in The president was assassinated. Placed as president was an Indian, Gen. Victoriano Huerta. The result of the chaos was a massive immigration from Mexico to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. – Huerta's regime put Wilson in a tight spot. The revolutionaries in Mexico were violent and threatened American lives and property. Americans called for Wilson to offer protection but, he would not. On the flip side, Wilson also would not recognize Huerta and his regime. Wilson allowed American arms to go to Huerta's rivals Venustiano Carranza and Francisco "Pancho" Villa (at right).

– Carranza's rival Pancho Villa began stirring up trouble. Pancho Villa was something of a Mexican Robin Hood. He was hated by some who considered him a thief and murderer; he was loved by some who saw him as fighting for the "little man." Pancho Villa raided a train, kidnapped 16 American mining engineers, and killed them. He and his men raided Columbus, New Mexico and killed 19 more people. – Wilson sent the Army, headed by Gen. John. J. Pershing, after Pancho Villa. Pershing took a few thousand troops into Mexico, fought both Carranza's and Villa's troops, but couldn't catch Pancho Villa. While hunting Villa, World War I broke out and Pershing was recalled. (Villa would soon be murdered by a Mexican rival.)

Missionary Diplomacy (AKA Moral Diplomacy) Missionary Diplomacy was a U.S. foreign policy concerning Latin America during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson. Under Missionary Diplomacy, the United States attempted to spread democracy to other nations of the Western Hemisphere. Wilson believed that a democratic system would bring as much success to Latin American nations as it had to the United States. Unfortunately, this meant that Wilson often used the U.S. military to forcibly remove Latin American governments he did not approve of. The U.S. intervened in Mexico, Haiti, Cuba, Panama, and Nicaragua during Wilson's presidency