1. What Should the Role of the US in Foreign Policy?
Do we:
Allow countries to be on their own even if they might become enemies?
Help them if they haven’t asked us to?
Establish control over countries to ensure US safety

2. Roosevelt Corollary
Monroe Doctrine (1828) - US closes Latin America to new European colonies
Roosevelt Corollary (1905) - US to serve as police in Latin America and intervene as necessary
Anarchy Protection - TR thought US should get involved any time there is lawlessness in Western Hemisphere to aid the country and protect the US

3. The Panama Canal
Both the United States and Europe wanted to build a canal across Central America
This would save time and be less dangerous than going around Cape Horn in Chile
Isthmus of Panama - the area known as Panama is 50 miles mile and was owned by Columbia

5. French Failure 1879 - the French buy land in Panama to build a canal
Quickly run out of money and desire
Many men die to tropical disease
French sell the rights to the land to the US in 1901 for $40 million
Columbia tells US they are not allowed to dig the canal

6. TR takes Action
TR really wants a canal and isn’t bothered by the fact that Columbia won’t allow him to build it.
TR supports a revolution by Panama to overthrow Columbia.
US sends ships, men, and support.
Panama is free - One day revolt ends with Panama’s independence

7. Lets Make a Deal US recognizes Panama as a country on 11/6/1903
US and Panama cut a deal - US leases land for 99 years for $10 million and $250,000 annually (Turned down by Columbia)
US begins construction of a huge ditch through the country of Panama

8. Building the Panama Canal

9. Construction Used France’s unfinished canal to start
Locks built to go over mountains
51 miles long
$375 million + $300 million of French

10. “I took the canal zone and let Congress debate, and while the debate goes on, the canal construction does also.”
Theodore Roosevelt after being asked about how he feels that Congress does not support his decision to take the Canal Zone.

16. Issues With Construction
Had to help a rebellion in Columbia
Malaria and Yellow Fever spread by mosquitoes
6000 lives lost

18. Benefits of the Panama Canal
Shorter Distance - former route was 12,600 miles. Now 4,900 miles
Security - US Navy can get places quicker so it helps with protection of US and imperialism
Information - US controls who travels through the canal
Power - Sends a message of power and action of US to the world

21. TR as the Top Cop of Western Hemisphere
Panama Canal
Takes over Dominican Republic’s finances after a revolution until they became stable
US sends troops to Cuba to halt a revolution (remember that we controlled Cuba with the Platt Amendment)

22. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy
Taft thought TR was acting too boldly and using the military too often
Strives to assert US power through money, not guns
US invests in countries and businesses that would help American interests