US interactions with Latin America

Goal The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s. Theodore Roosevelt changed U.S. policy toward Latin America President Taft and Wilson promoted U.S. interests in Latin America.

Latin America Diplomacy Monroe Doctrine Initiated during 1823 Policy stated that Europeans could not interfere in Latin America Didn’t really work because the US did not have strong enough military power

Panama Canal The U.S. wanted a short-cut that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans First country to attempt: France President Roosevelt sent troops to Colombia when they refused to sell us the land for the canal. Troops helped support a revolution by a group called the Panamanians – when they won, they formed their own country of Panama

Panama Canal, con’t Canal is built by using a series of “Locks” – which raise and lower ships across 50 mile isthmus Took ten years to build – 1904-1914 Canal zone owned and operated by the U.S. until the year 2000 – now owned by Panama

Roosevelt’s changes Roosevelt wanted more involvement in the Western Hemisphere Latin American diplomacy changed to “Speak softly and carry a big stick” South American countries started defaulting on debts to Europe and refused to pay their debts. Roosevelt Corollary - addition to Monroe Doctrine Said that if Latin American countries did any wrong, the US would exercise international policing power Was used throughout the rest of Roosevelt’s presidency

Taft’s Diplomacy Dollar Diplomacy Substituted Dollars for Bullets Influenced other governments through economic, not military, intervention Tried to make other countries stable Example: Since Nicaragua defaulted on a British loan, the US loaned 1.5 billion dollars to Nicaragua in return for control of National Bank of Nicaragua and the government-owned railway The Nicaraguans citizens protested, so Taft sent the military down to protect US interests

Wilson’s Diplomacy Rejected Dollar Diplomacy Felt a moral obligation to promote democracy in Latin America (Moral Diplomacy) Willing to use military intervention Example: Mexican Revolution was turning into a long, violent struggle for power between Dictator Diaz and the revolutionists. Germany sent weapons to the rebels, but Wilson sent the US military to intercept them Later the US sent John J. Pershing down into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa who had killed 17 in New Mexico. The attempt failed, and eventually a new constitution was passed gradually bringing order back to Mexico.

Changes to U.S. Foreign Policy Washington’s Farewell Address - United States will not become involved in European affairs. Monroe Doctrine - United States will defend its interests in Western Hemisphere and keep European powers out. Roosevelt Corollary - United States will police wrongdoing by nations in Western Hemisphere. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy – United States will use economic means to aid its interests in Latin America. Wilson’s Moral Diplomacy – The United States will promote and protect democracy in the Western Hemisphere.