1. The United States and Latin America
Chapter 20 Section 3

2. Linking the Oceans Why? Who? Effect? Where? Shorter route for ships
Link Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Who?
Teddy Roosevelt
Effect?
Improve global shipping
Defend overseas empire
Where?
Isthmus of Panama
Province of Colombia
50 miles wide
Think about it: Why would this canal be expected to improve shipping and defense?

3. Negotiating with Colombia
Roosevelt’s Offer
$10 mill cash
$250,000/year rent
Colombians Oppose
Would give US control
Isthmus worth more $
Colombian Response
Hold out for more $
Think about it: Do you think Colombia was right in opposing Rosoevelt’s offer?

4. Roosevelt’s Plan: Revolt
Panama people
Dislike Colombian rule
Roosevelt’s action
Promise help for independence
Send gun boats
Support rebels’ revolt
Recognize Panama independence
Result
Criticize “gun boat diplomacy”
Treaty gives U.S. control of Isthmus
Think about it: Did Roosevelt do the right thing in helping Panama gain its independence so that the U.S. could gain control of the isthmus?

5. Building the Canal 3 tasks: Cut through mountain Dam a river
Gaillard Cut
Dam a river
Erect locks

6. Building the Canal 2 obstacles: disease and Gaillard Cut Disease
Malaria and yellow fever
Discovery:
mosquitoes cause diseases
Strategy:
clear brush/drain swamps where mosquitos lived
Result:
Successful control
Think about it: Do these diseases exist today? Where? How are they controlled?

7. Building the Canal 2 obstacles: Disease and Gaillard Cut Gaillard Cut
9-mile ditch through mountains
Problems
Sun, rains, mudslides
Results
Many workers die
Think about it: Would you expect the same amount of workers to die today if doing
The same job? Why or why not?

8. U.S. Foreign Policy - Roosevelt
Big Stick/Gun boat diplomacy
If diplomacy fails, use military force
U.S. is leader in West
Prevent power of other nations
Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine
U.S. won’t allow European interference in Latin America
Ex: Dominican Republic
Think about it: What might be prositive and negative consequences of this type
Of foreign policy?

9. U.S. Foreign Policy - Taft
Dollar Diplomacy
U.S. influence through economy
Urge investment in Latin America
Led to as many interventions as “big stick”
Ex: Nicaragua
Think about it: What might be positive and negative consequences of this foreign policy?

10. U.S. Foreign Policy - Wilson
Moral diplomacy/watchful waiting
Support and nurture democracy in the world
Ex: Mexico
Think about it: What might be positive and negative consequences of this
Foreign policy?

11. Going Back…
Why was a canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans believed to be necessary for the U.S.?
How did the U.S. eventually acquire the Panama Canal?
What 2 major obstacles arose during the building of the canal?
Choose 1 president and describe his foreign policy.

12. Think About It….
Which president do you think had the best idea for foreign policy? Explain why you think so by describing the positive aspects of the policy and contrasting it with the negative aspects of the policies of the other 2 presidents.