THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S FOREIGN POLICY Part 2: Asia

Reasons for Roosevelt’s Mediation of Russo-Japanese War  US wanted access to China- economic reasons- new markets and resources (wanted to build railroads, control ports, and sell manufactured products in China); Open Door Policy- US plan asking European countries not to control a specific part of China, but to leave the door open to trade for all nations in all parts of China- Russia’s control of the large Chinese province of Manchuria threatened this policy  US missionaries wanted to convert Chinese people to Christianity (religious motive)  Japan attacked Russia- TR supported Japan because he viewed Russia as a greater threat to US economic prosperity in Asia

Describe the results of the peace agreement  TR won the Nobel Peace Prize  Roosevelt’s mediation of the Russo-Japanese War pleased Japan- it gained control over Korea, as well as key ports in China and the railroad in southern Manchuria- shifted the balance of power in China away from Russia and toward Japan  TR checked Japanese power by negotiating rights for Russia in northern Manchuria and by having Japan agree to noninterference in the Philippines  Worldwide implications for racial politics: inspired new national pride in both the Chinese and Japanese (an Asian people-Japan had humiliated a white people-Russia)- led to protests by Japan of 1906 segregation of Japanese children in San Francisco schools; Japanese media urged Japan to use navy, if necessary to end humiliation

How TR checked Japanese power in Pacific and Why?  Roosevelt checked Japanese power in the Pacific by negotiating rights for Russia in northern Manchuria and by having Japan agree to noninterference in the Philippines.  Roosevelt sent the entire American fleet of 16 battleships around the world in a show of might (The Great White Fleet). Japanese would see America’s stronger and modern navy.  Why- His main interest was in seeing that no single power reigned supreme in Asia.

Why did TR send Great White Fleet around the world?  Japan gained confidence as a result of their humiliating victory in the Russo-Japanese War-sparked nationalism and racial pride- As a result, Japan protested the 1906 segregation of Japanese children in San Francisco schools. In addition, a respected Japanese journal urged Japan to use its navy, if necessary, to end “such humiliation.”*** This journal said army and navy of US was less than Japan.  Roosevelt believed balance of power in Asia and the world was shifting away from US and toward Japan. Felt it was time for the US to flex its muscles for the Japanese to see. Wanted them to see the modern and stronger navy he was building-bow to American power.

Quote from Japanese Journal  “The whole world knows that the poorly equipped army and navy of the United States are no match for our efficient army and navy. It will be an easy work to awake the United States from her dream of obstinacy (stubbornness; difficult to handle or overcome) when one of our great admirals appears on the other side of the Pacific.”  - Mainichi Shimbun, 1906

Connection to Big Stick  Roosevelt’s Big Stick policy focused on not bragging about American power, but being so powerful that other countries would bow to American dominance.  In the instance of the Great White Fleet, Roosevelt did not respond to comments by Japanese journalists and protests with words- he even passed the Gentleman’s Agreement in 1907 to end school segregation in San Francisco- however, he used the Great White Fleet- 16 of America’s most modern battleships (could be used in war) to show America’s power so Japan would recognize that the US was still on top and back down.