Unit: US as a World Power
Lesson #28: Latin American Policy
Warm-Up:
• Define: corollary
• Recall: What was the purpose of the Monroe
Doctrine?
Guided Reading
• As the excerpt from “Teddy Bear President” is
read, try to predict the role that the US will
play in Latin America after the SpanishAmerican War.
Panama Canal (1 of 2)
• Trip around the tip of South America is very
dangerous and time consuming.
• France obtains a contract with Colombia to
build a canal through their isthmus.
• French officials are totally corrupt and cannot
get the canal built.
• President Roosevelt “encourages” the city of
Panama (location of the canal) to rebel
against Colombia.
Panama Canal (2 of 2)
• The Panamanians rebel and win!
• The formation of a free Panama is a direct
result of US intervention.
• US gains the contract to build the canal.
• Canal built from 1904-1914.
• US controlled the canal until 12/31/1999.
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe
Doctrine 1904
• The US will interfere in the affairs of Latin
America “policing” the area if a nation
appeared unstable to prevent European
intervention.
• Also known as “Big Stick Diplomacy” based on
the African proverb “speak softly but carry a
big stick.”
Dollar Diplomacy
• William Howard Taft’s policy
• US banks would provide loans to ensure that
Latin American nations remained stable.
• US business interests are encouraged to
invest creating greater economic stability.
Moral Diplomacy
• Policy of Woodrow Wilson.
• This policy stressed the need for democracies
in Latin American nations. Nations that were
facing threats to their democracies would
have US military protection.
Big Stick Diplomacy
Expansion!
“Now Will you Be Good!”