American History Chapter 17-3 Roosevelt and Latin America
Postwar Cuba U.S. feared that another nation may take over Cuba. – Appointed a governor & wrote a new constitution. – Platt Amendment: Limited Cuba’s ability to make treaties with other nations. U.S. maintained the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. Allowed the U.S. to sell/rent land for naval & coaling stations. – Est. Guantanamo Bay. – Made Cuba a protectorate: A country under the control & protection of another country.
Guantanamo Bay
Postwar Puerto Rico U.S. governed Puerto Rico as a territory. – Foraker Act: U.S. would appoint a governor & the upper house of the legislature. – 1917 – Puerto Ricans given U.S. citizenship. Puerto Rico today? – A self-governing commonwealth belonging to the U.S. – U.S. government controls interstate trade, immigration, military affairs. – Puerto Ricans have no voting power in Congress. – Do not vote in presidential elections. – Are subject to military service & federal law.
Panama Canal 1880s – A French company started a canal – The U.S. bought the rights to the French canal equipment & property.
Panama Canal Continued President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to build the Panama Canal. – He supported a Panamanian Revolution against Colombia. – Signed a treaty with the new Panamanian gov’t. for canal rights – Work began on the Panama Canal. – Terrain and disease made construction difficult. – George Goethals: The genius of the Panama Canal. August, 1914 – The first ship passed through the Panama Canal.
Panama Canal
U.S. Diplomacy Roosevelt Corollary: The U.S. will use military force to police the Western Hemisphere from any wrongdoing. – Wanted to protect economic interests in Latin America. Dollar diplomacy: President Taft believed that by promoting U.S. economic interests in Latin American countries it would keep European countries from interfering.