Topic: The “Big Stick”: Evaluating the Foreign Policies of Theodore Roosevelt
Results of Spanish-American War: Background to TR Cuba and the Platt Amendment Puerto Rico as “protectorate” and the Insular Cases Philippines “insurgency” Emilio Aquinaldo Asian Policy China as a market European “Spheres of Influence” John Hay’s “Open Door” notes 1900: Boxer Rebellion Election of 1900 McKinley vs. Bryan Issue of Imperialism McKinley wins why? McKinley assassinated in 1901, TR President
TR and the “Big Stick” Policy TR: US as “policeman” TR wants to keep Euros out of “our hemisphere” Roosevelt Corollary: “Middleman” between Latin America and European nations US interventionism Big Stick in use: Venezuela (Germany) Dominican Republic (Tariff) Cuba (troops to restore order)
The Panama Canal Why a canal? Columbia rejects American offer for canal zone TR sends US Navy to aid rebelling Panamanians against Columbia Panama becomes an independent nation Hay-Burnau-Varillia Treaty Canal built through Panamanian isthmus
TR and Japan US becoming a foreign policy “leader” Russo-Japanese War (1905) TR negotiates peace treaty Treaty of Portsmouth Gentleman’s Agreement (1907) Japan agrees to US immigration quotas Root-Takahira Treaty (1908) Japan and US recognize each other’s Asian possessions Forestalls Japan-US conflict
3…2…1 3 Arguments in favor of TR’s foreign policy 2 Arguments against TR’s foreign policy 1 Do You agree with TR’s decisions? Explain.