Roosevelt and Latin America Showing America’s Might!

The Debate What do we do with the new territory we claimed after the Spanish-American War?

The Debate What do we do with the new territory we claimed after the Spanish-American War? To restore order in Cuba and Puerto Rico after the war, President McKinley set up military governments on each island. What did those governments look like?

Cuba 1901- Wood oversaw the drafting of a new Cuban constitution America fearful of other countries’ interest in Cuba  Platt Amendment Part of Cuba’s constitution 1. Cuba could not sign treaties with other countries 2. U.S. right to intervene in Cuban affairs 3. Cuba must sell or lease land to U.S. for naval bases 4. U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay Made Cuba a protectorate (a country under the control and protection of another country)

Puerto Rico Governed Puerto Rico as a territory, not protectorate Foraker Act U.S. would appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and the upper house of its legislature. Puerto Ricans voters would elect its lower house 1917- Puerto Ricans given U.S. citizenship 1952- Puerto Rico a self-governing commonwealth of the U.S. Today, U.S. still controls trade, immigration, and military affairs

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far” West African Proverb ‘Speak softly’ was peaceful, diplomacy ‘Big stick’ policy was naval power Have the military to back up diplomacy, if needed Great White Fleet Used this to control the Latin American region

Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy Roosevelt Corollary An addition to the Monroe Doctrine America can intervene in international affairs of Latin American nations America begins to enforce this with military strength “Chronic wrongdoing…in the Western Hemisphere…may force the United States, however reluctantly… to the exercise of a international police power”

The Panama Canal Roosevelt wanted a passage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans without sailing around South America Colombia owned the territory where the U.S. planned to build the canal (the isthmus of Panama) 1903- Treaty drafted, but Colombian senate would not ratify Revolution in Panama Roosevelt supported Panamanian revolution Panama declared independence, with American recognition Signed a treaty with Panama to acquire territory

The Panama Canal 10 mile wide canal zone Began construction in 1904, finished in 1914 Obstacles Yellow Fever Malaria Labor shortage- brought in workers from the British West Indies Panama Canal

Taft and Wilson’s Diplomacy After Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson began to reshape American diplomacy Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy Deepen influence in Latin America Policy of promoting American economic interests in other countries and using that economic power to achieve American policy goals America buy out European loans Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy Use of persuasion and American ideals to advance the nation’s interests abroad.