U.S. Foreign Policy Roosevelt & Taft Unit 2 – US History

US Foreign Policy “All future wars will be conflicts for commerce” Beveridge, US Senator, 1900 Commercial expansion a priority –Sending troops to defend markets if necessary policy of self-interest

Roosevelt’s Big Stick Policy Negotiate Peacefully, but threaten the use of military intervention Example: Panama Canal –Tried to negotiate an agreement with Columbia (Hay Herran Treaty) –Panama rebels against Columbia, US sides with Panama, Panama gains independence –Columbia refused, so US supported a rebellion by Panama –The Canal was built

What would the benefits of a canal be?

Purpose of the Panama Canal Economic –Reduce travel time to ship goods and save millions of dollars –Money (fees) from use of Canal – Charge other countries “tolls” to use (like a toll booth) Military –Shortened distance to move ships from Atlantic to Pacific

Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine U.S. had right to act as “police force” in the Western Hemisphere to maintain stability or stop wrong-doing Example: Dominican Republic – US seized custom houses and custom fees, to pay back German debt and avoid Germany from sending troops to DR

Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy Substituting Dollars for bullets –Attempt to gain friends and allies in Latin America Example: Latin America –American bankers lent money to Central American countries –US Government encouraged investment in Latin American mines, banana, coffee, RR Loans damaged economies in LA US used power to protect Am. Investors from loan defaults and unfriendly governments

China Open Door Policy Roosevelt & Taft Ended Spheres of Influence in China Stated All European Nations and the United States could trade with China

War with Philippines Filipino rebels had expected independence after Spanish- American War US Reasons to Imperialize: naval base, natural resources, racial superiority  Emilio Aguinaldo waged guerilla war against US from  US won war, but later granted Filipino independence in 1942

Balance of Power Roosevelt Insure no one country gains too much power in Asia Example: Russo Japanese War Roosevelt negotiated a peace agreement to keep Japan or Russia from having too much power

Roosevelt’s Gentleman’s Agreement Reason: Racial Superiority US would end segregation of Japanese- American’s in San Francisco Schools Japan had to “voluntarily” reduce immigration to US Great White Fleet –Sent around the world with a “special” Stop in Japan. Why?____________