Objectives: Examine what happened to Puerto Rico and Cuba after the Spanish – American War. Analyze the effects of Roosevelt’s “big stick” diplomacy. Compare Wilson’s “moral diplomacy” with the foreign policies of his predecessors.
Was the Spanish – American War a “just” war?
The U.S. victory in the Spanish - American War left the fate of Puerto Rico and Cuba unresolved…
Puerto Rico: In 1900, the Foraker Act authorized a civil government for Puerto Rico. A governor would be appointed by the U.S. President. In the Insular Cases, the Supreme Court ruled that Puerto Ricans did NOT have the same rights or tax status as other Americans.
Cuba: Became independent in 1902 The Platt Amendment made Cuba a protectorate of the United States, which retained the rights to: Approve or reject any treaty signed by Cuba Intervene to preserve order in Cuba Lease military bases in Cuba
Roosevelt’s “Big Stick” Diplomacy Speak Softly, But Carry a Big Stick, You Will Go Far!
Roosevelt saw it as America’s moral responsibility to “civilize,” or uplift, weaker nations. He saw international leadership as a challenge the U.S. had to accept. Roosevelt claimed the the right of the U.S. to intervene in Latin America to preserve law and order.
“If we intend to say hands off to the powers of Europe, then sooner or later we must keep order ourselves.” - Roosevelt
Roosevelt Corollary: 1904, President Roosevelt added his Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine The U.S. would act as “International Police” in the Western Hemisphere to prevent European intervention
“Teddy Roosevelt shrunk the world” Journal: “Teddy Roosevelt shrunk the world” How would this have been possible? People today say the world is getting smaller and smaller how is this possible today?
The World’s Most Important Shortcut! The 8th Wonder of the World! The Panama Canal: The World’s Most Important Shortcut! The 8th Wonder of the World!
What is an isthmus? Panama is an isthmus. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that has water on each side and connects two larger bodies of land.
The Panama Canal was constructed between 1904 and 1913. The United States needed permission from Colombia, which owned the Isthmus of Panama. Colombia wanted more money than the United States was willing to pay. Roosevelt dispatched U.S. warships to the waters off Panama to support a Panamanian rebellion against Columbia. Roosevelt negotiated to lease the “Canal Zone” from the new Panamanian government for $10 million and an annual rent.
World’s deadliest animal mosquito! U.S. workers first sprayed tons of insecticide across Panama in order to destroy the mosquito eggs in an attempt to limit cases of malaria and yellow fever.
The canal cut 8,000 nautical miles off the trip from the west coast to the east coast of the United States.
Working Conditions Imagine working on the Panama Canal. By noon the temperature is about 100 degrees. It’s humid-so humid that after it rains steam rises from the ground and your clothes become soaking wet. There is no shade. As one worker said, “There was no shelter from the sun or the rain. There were no trees, and when the sun shines, you get it. When the rain falls you get it.”
27,500 people died attempting to create canal Working Conditions The average yearly rainfall is about 80 inches. Flooding makes the ground like pudding, and you can sink up to your knees in mud. Tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria are spread easily by mosquitoes. 27,500 people died attempting to create canal
Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” Improve financial opportunities for American businesses. Invest in plantations, mines, and railroads. Use private capital to further U.S. interests overseas. The U.S. should create stability and order abroad that would best promote America’s commercial interests.
U.S. Global Investments & Investments in Latin America, 1914 Dollar Diplomacy – President Taft’s policy of encouraging Americans to invest in Latin America U.S. Global Investments & Investments in Latin America, 1914
to restore order after a revolution and to protect U.S. businesses Country Occupied Years Reasons Dominican Republic 1916 - 1924 to control their finances, help them pay their debts, and keep the peace Nicaragua 1912 - 1933 to restore order after a revolution and to protect U.S. businesses Haiti 1915-1934 to restore order after years of anarchy Honduras 1911 - 1925 to protect U.S. businesses during civil war
Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” Supported human rights and national integrity rather than U.S. self-interest Promised the U.S. would “never again seek one additional foot of territory by conquest”
Troubles in Mexico: Mexico arrested several U.S. sailors in 1914 and President Wilson sent the navy to occupy Veracruz. In 1916, Mexican General Pancho Villa killed 18 Americans at the Santa Ysabel massacre and 17 Americans in Columbus, New Mexico.