Speak softly and carry a big stick!

Imperialism in Latin America and the Panama Canal

Aim: Does the U.S. Have a right to interfere in Latin American’s affairs?   Vocab Monroe Doctrine (1823) Roosevelt Corollary (1904) Hay Herron Treaty, (1903) Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, November 18,1903, after Panamanian Independence Dollar Diplomacy (1912) Essential Questions: To what degree was U.S. foreign policy shaped by economic interests? Was the U.S. policy in Latin America/Panama a policy of political aggression?

Roosevelt Corollary: During this time, Theodore Roosevelt added to the idea of the “Monroe Doctrine” by writing the Roosevelt Corollary which said it is America’s job to protect and take care of other countries in Latin America. America should be the “international police power” of these countries.

“The World’s Constable”

Monroe Doctrine (1823) [Spheres of Influence] “As a principle in which the rights and interests of the U.S. are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers…In the wars of European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport (agree) with our policy to do so. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we make preparation for our defense...With governments who have declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition (intervention) for the purpose of oppressing them or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as a manifestation of an unfriendly position toward the United States…It is still the true policy of the U.S. to leave these nations to themselves, in hope that other powers will continue to do the same.”

Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, 1904 “It is not true that the United States feels any land hunger or entertains any projects as regards the other nations of the Western Hemisphere save such as are in their welfare. All that this country desires is to see the neighboring countries stable, orderly and prosperous…Chronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society, may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention…[and] force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing or impotence, to the exercise of an internal police power.”

Dollar Diplomacy Invest money in Latin America by starting businesses there. Improve financial opportunities for American businesses. Use private capital to further U. S. interests overseas. Expected result: the U.S. should create stability and order abroad that would best promote America’s commercial interests. SOUTH AMERICA

William Howard Taft’s Policy of “Dollar Diplomacy,” 1912 “In Central America the aim has been to help such countries as Nicaragua and Honduras to help themselves. [These countries] are the immediate beneficiaries [of the United Stats’ actions]. The nation’s benefit to the United States is twofold. First, it is obvious that the Monroe Doctrine is more vital in the neighborhood of the Panama Canal and the zone of the Caribbean than anywhere else. There, too, the maintenance of the Doctrine falls most heavily upon the United States. It is therefore essential that the countries within that sphere shall be removed from the jeopardy involved by heavy foreign debt and chaotic national finances and from the ever present danger of international complications due to disorder at home. Hence the United States has been glad to encourage and support American bankers who were willing to lend a helping hand to the financial rehabilitation and the protection of such countries because this financial rehabilitation…removes the menace of foreign creditors…”

What is the best way to get from one side to the other, by ship?

Why would the U.S. want to build a canal?

“The News Reaches Bogota” W.A. Rogers, New York Herald, December 1903 Theodore Roosevelt shovels dirt from the Panama Canal onto Bogota, Colombia, after the U.S. supported Panama's revolution for independence from Colombia in exchange for control of the Canal Zone.

The Panama Canal

THE PANAMA CANAL WAS NOT JUSTIFIED BECAUSE

Show The Panama Deception Was it justified?

In addition to $400 million in financial costs, the loss of good will toward America was incalculable. The English author James Bryce referred to the project as “the greatest liberty Man has ever taken with Nature.” F-Cast to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usually as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data

Event/ Policy US Actions/Policy Was the US justified? Platt Amendment 2. Roosevelt Corollary 3. Dollar Diplomacy 4. Panama Canal