History of the Americas: U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America
Mr. Scofield’s advice- Know two U.S. Presidents, two Latin American countries
Presidents- Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1945)
Countries- Panama
Cuba (covered in other outlines)
· Background information
o Imperialism-“The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations”
o Monroe Doctrine (1823)-Statement by the U.S. proclaiming that no European nation would be allowed to colonize or interfere in Latin American affairs, and that the U.S. would consider any such attempts hostile; originally conceived as a declaration against colonialism.
o Dollar diplomacy-Advocated by President Taft, use of diplomacy to protect American foreign economic interests
o General U.S. motivations for imperialism
§ Economic-The US sought to expand its influence, open new markets, protect current and growing interests and investments, acquire raw materials, “dollar diplomacy”
§ Paternalism/Social Darwinism-Idea that the US was a superior culture and people to less civilized nations. Encouraged idea that US was obligated to step in and guide inferior countries in the right direction.
§ Need to build more naval bases so navy could more adequately protect economic interests
§ Yellow press-overblown reports of foreign events and massive losses/damage to Americans increased support for aggressive foreign policy
§ Jingoism-aggressive foreign policy practiced by younger politicians, “big stick policy”
· President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt
o Roosevelt Corollary- addition to the Monroe Doctrine, which allowed the US, and only the US, to intervene in Latin America if it deemed it necessary
§ Justified several future examples of imperialism throughout Latin America, as well as concepts such as Dollar Diplomacy.
o Jingo-Youngest president at the time, had not experienced horrors of civil war and was thus more inclined toward an aggressive foreign policy
o Big Stick Policy- Another name for Roosevelt’s philosophy of using diplomacy backed with a very powerful military, derived from his famous quotation, “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.”
o Policy in Panama
§ Roosevelt negotiated with Colombia to resume construction of the Panama Canal (Panama was a province of Colombia). They agreed to buy out French equipment, and a deal was settled upon.
§ However, the Colombian senate tried to change the deal, increasing the amount to be paid by the US to Colombia. Additionally, the Roosevelt perceived the Senate to be trying to cheat the French.
§ The dispute eventually led to the US support of Panamanian independence, which was quickly accomplished in a short revolution in which the Colombian soldiers were bought off and an offshore gunboat prevented Colombian soldiers from attacking (an example of ‘gunboat diplomacy’).
§ After paying $10 million for rights to build and control the canal to Panama, the canal was eventually built, overcoming swamps, disease, and a myriad of other obstacles.
o Naval expansion-Roosevelt believed in the power of a strong naval force to maintain US interests abroad. He focused heavily on expanding the naval force.
· President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)
o Good Neighbor policy- Advocated by FDR in times of rising conflict, he discouraged the use of violent means to keep tabs on Latin American affairs, but instead supported more peaceful means of dealing with Latin America, including economic ties, military training, financial supervision, and cultural influence.
§ Following WWII, the US somewhat reneged on its Good Neighbor Policy, focusing on big business and allowing Marxist/Communist ideologies to grow more popular.
§ Effect of policy
· Withdrawal of US troops in Haiti and Nicaragua
· Annulment of Cuba’s and Panama’s statuses as protectorates
· Annulment of Platt Amendment
· Roosevelt signs Montevideo Convention, agreeing to renounce US right to intervene unilaterally in Latin American affairs