TR in Latin America TR proclaims U.S. has a right to intervene in Latin America by using “international police power” “international police power”: U.S. could force Latin Americans to pay their debts to foreign nations & would keep those nations from meddling in Latin American affairs - To preserve law & order - Presidents continued to use this Roosevelt Corollary to intervene in Latin America

Dollar Diplomacy Taft follows TR & also supported a large U.S. role in Latin America “Substitute dollars for bullets” – he urged U.S. bankers to invest in Latin America – Dollar diplomacy: building strong economic ties to Latin America to gain control & input – U.S. investors responded eagerly

Dollar Diplomacy – Pros Built roads, R&R’s, harbors = increased trade for U.S. & local countries – Cons U.S. companies meddled in the political affairs of host counties U.S. used military force to keep order (the bully?) – 1912 – revolution erupts in Nicaragua & the U.S. sent in marines to protect U.S. investments before the people

Moral Diplomacy DID NOT Wilson follows Taft but DID NOT support a large U.S. role in Latin America – “The force of America is the force of moral principle”

Moral Diplomacy: The responsibility to condemn imperialism, spread democracy & promote peace – What do you think TR would say to this!? Ironically, Wilson orders military intervention in LA more than any prior president – Marines to Haiti & Dominican Republic to “enforce peace” until the 1930s!

Revolution in Mexico Constant turnover of leaders who would promise democratic reform & then dictate their people Constant civil war Newest dictator was Victoriano Huerta

Revolution in Mexico – Wilson tried to stay neutral & hoped Mexico would develop a democratic government without U.S. interference Do you think this was a legitimate theory? Do you think he was afraid? Stigma against the Mexican people? – ”Government of butchers” – Except things got worse & more brutal

-1914 Mexican troops arrest several U.S. sailors for getting involved in a local Mexican dispute -Wilson orders the U.S. Navy to occupy the Mexican port of Veracruz -Since we are against Huerta, we are in effect in support of his rival; Venustiano Carranza -Problem: he’s also an intense dictator! We had lost sight of protection of the people & were hungry for control Finally…U.S. Intervenes

War General Francisco “Pancho” Villa wanted to intervene & take out Carranza to protect the Mexican people – Problem: we support Carranza Spring 1916 – Villa’s soldiers removed 17 U.S. citizens from a train in Mexico & shot them Summer 1916 – Villa raids a town in New Mexico & killed 18 Americans

The Reaction Wilson sends General John J. Pershing with an army of several thousands of soldiers into Mexico to capture Villa 11 months went by without capture & Wilson ordered Pershing to withdraw but our relationship with Mexico was HEAVILY strained

The Result U.S. troops & civilians start to realize that America’s role in world affairs had dramatically changed over the years – 1.) U.S. now had stations, troops & ships in Asia & Latin America – 2.) Business interests spanned the globe Now it was off to attempt to conquer more territory in Europe