T HE U NITED S TATES IN L ATIN A MERICA Chapter 14, Section 4

U.S. P OLICY IN P UERTO R ICO AND C UBA Puerto Rico remained under U.S. rule after the S- A War. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 and established a civil government on the island. Although Puerto Rico was a part of the United States, they could not enjoy the same privileges– in the insular cases, it was decided that Puerto Ricans had to pay taxes, but were not citizens. Similarly, Cubans disliked the Platt Amendment because it restricted their freedoms, stating: Had to have US consent to sign treaties; Lease land for naval bases (Guantanamo Bay); US had ‘right to intervene’ to uphold order.

U.S. P OLICY IN P UERTO R ICO AND C UBA Puerto Rico remained under U.S. rule after the S- A War. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 and established a civil government on the island. Although Puerto Rico was a part of the United States, they could not enjoy the same privileges– in the insular cases, it was decided that Puerto Ricans had to pay taxes, but were not citizens. Similarly, Cubans disliked the Platt Amendment because it restricted their freedoms, stating: Had to have US consent to sign treaties; Lease land for naval bases (Guantanamo Bay); US had ‘right to intervene’ to uphold order.

R OOSEVELT P URSUES “B IG S TICK ” D IPLOMACY In regards to foreign policy, Roosevelt adopted a belief that a strong military was needed to achieve goals. This became known as “big stick diplomacy” from the African proverb “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” In 1903, the U.S. bought the rights to the Panama Canal from a French company. Since Panama belonged to Colombia, they needed permission from the Colombian gov to build. When the Panamanians rebelled for their independence, Roosevelt sent ships to back them. Upon acquiring freedom, they purchased the Canal Zone for $10 million, and $250,000 annual rent.

R OOSEVELT P URSUES “B IG S TICK ” D IPLOMACY When the canal was completed in 1914, it cut 8,000 miles off the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. When Latin American countries could not pay their debts, European countries began to occupy these countries. In an effort to demonstrate regional power, Roosevelt updated the Monroe Doctrine by adding this corollary to it: In the case of “chronic wrongdoing” (i.e debt) by a foreign nation, the U.S. could step in as a ‘police power’ and restore order. It provided a basis for U.S. intervention.

W ILSON P URSUES M ORAL D IPLOMACY When William Taft assumed the role of president, he continued the Open Door Policy in China and focused his foreign policy on trade. Thus, he believed the way to interact and control another country was through the use of money, known as dollar diplomacy. President Wilson’s foreign policy was even more different from Roosevelt’s than Taft’s. Instead of territorial conquest, Wilson believed in promoting human rights and integrity in these countries, known as ‘moral diplomacy’. However, both Taft and Wilson used the U.S.’ strong military when necessary.

W ILSON P URSUES M ORAL D IPLOMACY One of these instances was in Mexico in 1914 to help pro-American Venustiano Carranza attain power. When Mexican rebels, led by Pancho Villa, crossed the border into New Mexico and killed 18, Wilson sent troops after him, led by John J. Pershing. Villa managed to evade Pershing for months, and eventually Wilson was forced to withdraw troops, with the onset of WWI.