Eliseo Lugo III

 Gun Boat Diplomacy  Dollar Diplomacy  Moral Diplomacy

 Roosevelt liked quoting an old West African proverb which stated “ Speak softly and carry a Big Stick.” What does this proverb mean?  Roosevelt wanted the world to know that if diplomacy failed, the United States would use military force to protect its interests.  What “interests” is Roosevelt speaking about

 Roosevelt claimed that the United States was the leader of the Western Hemisphere  He wanted to keep European nations from establishing their power here.  In 1904, several European nations threatened to use military force against the Dominican Republic for some outstanding debts that they had.  Roosevelt responded to these threats by stating that the United States had the right to “exercise a police order” to keep the peace.  Roosevelt utilized Gun Boat Diplomacy to achieve his goals.

 According to Roosevelt, the United States had the right to intervene when countries in the Western hemisphere came into conflict or disputes with European powers.  This statement in essence expanded the Monroe Doctrine and became known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.  In the case of the Dominican Republic, Roosevelt sent in the U.S. Marines and took over the nation’s finances.

Police of the Western Hemisphere

 William Howard Taft, who became president after Roosevelt, had a different approach to diplomacy than Roosevelt.  His foreign policy became known as “Dollar Diplomacy”  Dollar Diplomacy is a policy based on the idea that economic ties were the best way to expand American influence.  In other words, rather than using military power, Taft favored using economic power to expand American influence.  Taft pushed for American bankers and businessmen to invest heavily in Latin America  As with Roosevelt’s Gunboat Diplomacy, many Latin Americans resented Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy and interference in their affairs.

Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” continued Improve financial opportunities for American businesses. Use private capital to further U. S. interests overseas. Therefore, the U.S. should create stability and order abroad that would best promote America’s commercial interests.

 Woodrow Wilson followed Taft into the presidency of the United States.  He also had his own vision of diplomacy.  Wilson’s diplomacy became known as “Moral Diplomacy”  He stated that U.S. Foreign policy should focus on supporting and promoting democracy throughout the world.  He would apply this policy in Mexico after they had overthrown dictator Porfirio Diaz.  Wilson would be forced to deal with Mexico militarily, after Mexican rebel, Fransisco “Pnacho” Villa killed 18 Americans in New Mexico in  Wilson sent soldiers into Mexico to pursue Villa.  They pursued him for 11 months.  Villa was never captured.

Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” Summarized The U. S. should be the conscience of the world. Spread democracy. Promote peace. Condemn colonialism.