1. Latin American Policies
Unit 2: The Beginning of Modern America
Chapter 5: America as a World Power
Latin American Policies

2. Study Guide “Latin American Policy”
Homework
Study Guide
“Latin American Policy”

3. When, where and why did the United States intervene in Latin America?
Lesson Objective
When, where and why did the United States intervene in Latin America?

4. Warm-Up Activity
Geography Application
“Pancho Villa Raids New Mexico”

5. Policing the Western Hemisphere
“Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
President Roosevelt believed that the United States,
should respond to foreign crisis not by threats but by
military action. Roosevelt became known for his “big
stick” approach when it came to foreign affairs. He
believed that the United States had to be the
“policeman of the world” in order to maintain peace.

6. Big Stick Diplomacy

7. U.S. Involvement in Latin America
As the U.S. economy grew so did interest in
Latin America. American businesses found
they could cheaply buy food and raw materials
bananas, coffee, copper. U.S. companies also
bought large tracts of land for farming and
mining.

8. United Fruit Co. in Latin America

9. United Fruit Company Banana Farm – Loading Bananas in Guatemala

10. Manager's house, Bananera, Guatelmala

11. U.S. Involvement in Latin America
As U.S. economic interest grew in Latin
America, many leaders became
concerned over its political stability.
American leaders were especially
worried that European nations would
intervene in the region.

12. The Monroe Doctrine Roosevelt reminded the European nations of the
prevented other nations from intervening in Latin America.

13. Roosevelt Corollary In 1904, President Roosevelt added the
- prevented European intervention but it also authorized the U.S. to act as “policeman” in the region.
U.S. would intervene in domestic affairs of
any Latin American country when they
believed such action was necessary to
maintain stability.

14. U.S. Intervention Under the Roosevelt Corollary the United
States claimed the right to intervene in the
affairs of Latin America whenever those
nations seemed unstable.
In 1905, the U.S. invaded the Dominican
Republic and took control of its finances. In
1906, it invaded Cuba to stop a revolution.

15. Dollar Diplomacy Roosevelt’s successor in the White House,
William Howard Taft believed that the United
States should take a different approach. He believed
that U.S. business and money would bring
stability and progress to the region. This was known
as dollar diplomacy.

16. President William Howard Taft
Dollar Diplomacy

17. Dollar Diplomacy This policy resulted in the United States
having a greater role in Latin America.
American companies gained great power and
controlled the politics of some nations.
Such involvement by the United States led to
anti-U.S. feelings throughout Latin America.

18. “The Mexican Revolution”
BrainPop
“The Mexican Revolution”

19. The U.S. & Mexico In the early 1900’s, Mexico was a poor country
ruled by a small group of rich landholders.
Beginning in 1910, Mexico experienced civil war
which threatened American business and
investment. In 1914 American troops seized the
port of Veracruz as a sign of strength and to help
get rid of the Mexican government.

20. The Mexican Revolution continues…
When the U.S. forces left Mexico and a new
government took power, the civil war did not end.
In 1916, Francisco “Pancho” Villa attacked the
government of Venustiano Carranza. That same year he
captured and killed 16 Americans for their support of the
Carranza government. The U.S. immediately sent General
John Pershing to capture Villa. A year later in 1917 with
World War I raging throughout Europe, President
Woodrow Wilson withdrew the troops from Mexico.
Villa was never captured but was murdered in 1923 by
his enemies.

21. Francisco “Pancho” Villa