Chapter 23, Lesson 4 Latin America
US in Panama US & Europe wanted a canal across the isthmus (narrow strip of land connecting 2 larger bodies of land) in Central America Panama belonged to Colombia Sec of State John Hay used a treaty w/ Colombia lease Panama: $10 million + $250K rent/year for 99 years
Panama Colombian Senate rejected treaty US “encouraged” Panama’s independence by sending warship Nashville W/ Panama free, US paid them what we would have paid Colombia Many in Latin America were mad at TR
Panama Canal Opened Aug 15, 1914 Trip from NYC to San Fran: 12,600 mi reduced to 4,900 mi Improved our Navy, could easily travel between Atlantic & Pacific Oceans US gave canal back to Panama in
Global Power TR “Speak softly and carry a big stick” US should respond to foreign crises w/ action to preserve order and prevent anarchy Monroe Doctrine: prevent European countries from controlling Lat Am Roosevelt Corollary: US can intervene when nations are unstable 1905-took control of Dominican Republic 1906-sent troops to Cuba
Foreign Policy Pres Taft used dollar diplomacy: making loans to gain influence and protect US interests Helped w/ trade in Lat Am Created more animosity 1911 in Mexico, Francisco Madera led a revolution but killed by Gen Victoriano Huerta 2 years later Pres Wilson didn’t recognize the “butcher” Huerta
Woodrow Wilson Wanted to prevent more imperialism by US Moral diplomacy based on right & wrong Gave arms to Huerta’s rival Venustiano Carranza Sent US troops to Veracruz & Carranza took power
Pancho Villa Villa rose up against Carranza & didn’t like US Killed 16 US workers in Mexico, burned a town in NM & killed 18 there US sent Gen John Pershing to Mexico & chased Villa for almost a year US pulled out in 1917 to focus on war in Europe