11/8/10 What was / is America’s role in the world?

Roosevelt Corollary – The U.S. will react to anything in the world that threatens its interests. Big Stick Diplomacy – “Walk softly, but carry a big stick.”

Imperialist nations had been carving out spheres of influence in China throughout the late 1800s America sent letters (Open Door Notes) to all those nations asking for equal trading rights in China for all nations

Our goal China’s reaction

The reaction of other nations.

In what ways is America involved in the world today? What are the obvious or potential negatives of each of these?

Burlingame Treaty of 1868 – led to fair play between nations, unrestricted Chinese immigration to America (Central Pacific R/R) and no American interference in Chinese domestic affairs Chinese Exclusion Act 1882 – suspended immigration from China for ten years

Chinese resented foreign influence in China – this resentment grew after the Open Door Policy was announced. Chinese patriots (called Boxers) started a rebellion to rid China of foreign influence in 1900 = Boxer Rebellion A coalition of the Open Door nations put down the rebellion and forced China to pay reparations (money for war damages)

"China never wanted foreigners any more than foreigners wanted Chinamen, and on this question I am with the Boxers every time. The Boxer is a patriot. He loves his country better than he does the countries of other people. I wish him success. The Boxer believes in driving us out of his country. I am a Boxer too, for I believe in driving him out of our country." -Mark Twain November 23, 1900

American whalers wanted to refuel in Japan and American traders wanted tea, silk, and other goods In 1852, Commodore Matthew Perry was sent to Japan with huge black warships (the warships terrified the Japanese) Japan opened trade with the west in 1854

Japan and Russia were fighting over Korea and Manchuria, China Both nations were too strong to lose, but too weak to win (stalemate) President T. Roosevelt negotiated a peace treaty for two reasons: 1 – he wanted Russia and Japan to uphold the Open door Policy 2 – he feared that Japan would grow too strong and threaten America in the Pacific

President T. Roosevelt sent the U.S. Navy on a global cruise in 1907 to show that the USA could protect its interests by force The sixteen battleships were painted white and called the Great White Fleet The Great White Fleet was the embodiment of Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy”