1. US & Latin America  As the U.S. asserted its interests in East Asia, Americans called for a more aggressive role in Latin America  Gov’t officials & entrepreneurs viewed the region as the nation’s backyard & sphere of influence  Believed great European powers should be excluded

2. Roosevelt & “Big Stick Diplomacy” “Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far”  “Big Stick Diplomacy”: Policy of creating and using, when necessary, a strong military to achieve America’s goals.  Roosevelt Corollary (to the Monroe Doctrine): Reassertion of the Monroe Doctrine to keep the Western Hemisphere free from intervention by European powers.

3. Roosevelt & “Big Stick Diplomacy” Examples:  Dom. Republic defaulted on debts to several European nations  They threatened invasion  TR asserted the Roosevelt Corollary  U.S. operated D.R.’s custom service for 2 years and managed its foreign debt

4. Big Stick Diplomacy

5. Taft & “Dollar” Diplomacy Dollar Diplomacy Taft also used military control to protect U.S. econ. interests  President Taft wanted to maintain the Open Door Policy in Asia and ensure ongoing stability in Latin America by substituting “dollars for bullets”.  Taft thought the U.S. should increase investment in other countries to maintain and increase its power  Invested in plantations, mines, oil wells, railways, etc…  “Dollar Diplomacy” in Latin America increased U.S. control in many countries  Ex. = U.S. loaned Nic. $15 million – got control of national bank & railroad  Augusto Sandino felt that the U.S. threatened the “sovereignty and liberty” of Nicaragua. (Hemispheres Police Force) –  Sandino led an army of guerrillas against U.S. Marines in Nicaragua.  Taft sent the marines because he felt Sandino’s revolt threatened U.S. business interests in Nicaragua.

6. Wilson Pursues “Moral Diplomacy” Moral Diplomacy p. 273  Statement that the U.S. would not use force to assert influence in the world, but would instead work to promote human rights.  “America will never again seek one additional foot of territory by conquest”  The U.S. would only support Latin Am. Governments that were democratic & supported U.S. interests  Wilson DID use military force:  Haiti  Dominican Republic  Mexico

7. Wilson Pursues “Moral Diplomacy” Moral Diplomacy put to the test  In 1911, Francisco Madero led the Mexican Revolution that toppled Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz.  American business people owned large portions ($2 billion invested in oil) of Mexico’s industries under Diaz’s rule.  General Victoriano Huerta siezed power (executed Madero)  Wilson refused to recognize the General’s regime b/c he gained power illegally  Wilson sent Marines to Port of Veracruz; Huerta Gov’t collapsed  Several revolts – U.S. intervened for our benefit each time; Mexicans were tired of it…  Francisco “Pancho” Villa: Crossed into New Mexico and raided the town of Columbus, New Mexico (18 Americans Killed).  Wilson sent General John J. Pershing to Mexico to hunt down Villa (11 Months), but did not capture him prior to entering WW1

8. American Imperialism in Latin Am. AM. Imperialism in Latin America

9. Cuba & Puerto Rico  Platt Amendment: Set of conditions under which Cuba was granted independence in 1902, including restrictions on rights of Cubans and granting to the U.S. the “right to intervene” to preserve order in Cuba.  No Treaties  No Debt  US Intervention when necessary  US Naval Base  Foraker Act: Law establishing a civil government in Puerto Rico.  Insular Cases: The Supreme Court ruled taxes legal and determined that Puerto Ricans did not enjoy the same rights as U.S. citizens.  Jones-Shafroth Act: Granted Puerto Ricans more citizenship rights and gave the islanders greater control over their own legislature (Wilson/1917). Cuba – ProtectoratePuerto Rico - Territory

10. America Builds Panama Canal Greatest Modern Engineering project in the World  In 1903 the U.S. government bought the Panama Canal route from a French company for $40 million.  Roosevelt dispatched U.S. warships to the waters off of Panama to support a Panamanian rebellion against Colombia. Panama soon declared independence from Colombia.  America agreed to pay Panama $10 million and an annual rent of $250,000.  More than 35,000 workers helped dig the canal. 5,000 canal workers died from disease or accidents.  Cut 8,000 nautical miles from the west coast to the east coast of the U.S.

11. Panama Canal