Progressive President Foreign
Polcies
US History
Standards
• C2D – Evaluate, take, and defend positions on
the various US foreign policies of the late 19th
and early 20th centuries.
I. William McKinley
A. Foreign Issues
1. Forced to deal with Spain in Cuba. This leads to
the Spanish American War.
2. Negotiated control of Puerto Rico, Guam and
the Philippines from Spain.
3. Made a very strong effort to form stronger
economic ties to China.
I. William McKinley
B. Philippines
1. Acquired for $20 million from Spain after the
Spanish American War
2. Emilio Aguinaldo led a revolt in an attempt to gain
independence from the U.S.
3. The U.S. responded to the revolt with brutal force
by destroying villages and putting civilians into
prison camps.
4. After 3 years of fighting 200,000 Filipinos and 5,000
Americans were killed.
5. US controlled the Philippines until 1946
I. William McKinley
C. China
1. China was weak and unstable in 1890’s. Foreign
countries controlled Spheres of influence.
2. Open Door Policy- Called on foreign nations to
allow free trade in China. Insisted that foreign
nations respect Chinese independence
II. Teddy Roosevelt
A. Foreign Issues
1. Had a desire to make the U.S. a great power
2. Big Stick Policy- “Speak softly and carry a big
stick”. Use force when necessary to accomplish U.S.
foreign policy goals.
3. Believed in America being an “international police
power” to preserve peace and to protect American
interests.
Big Stick
II. Teddy Roosevelt
B. Great White Fleet
1. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname
for the United States Navy battle fleet that
completed a circumnavigation of the globe
2. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two
squadrons, along with various escorts.
II. Teddy Roosevelt
C. Panama
1. Colombia ruled Panama and would not allow a
canal to be built.
2. 1903 Roosevelt encouraged Panama to revolt
and sent war ships to prevent Colombia from
stopping the revolt.
3. Panama became independent and immediately
signed a treaty allowing the U.S. to build the
Panama Canal. America controlled the canal
until 1999.
Panama Canal
III. William Howard Taft
A. Foreign Issues
1. Dollar Diplomacy- Strong economic presence
abroad would advance American interests. U.S. will
encourage and protect American trade and
investments.
2. Focused specifically on Latin America and Asia
III. Woodrow Wilson
A. Foreign Issues
1. Moral Diplomacy- The belief that the U.S. should
use their power to aid the development of
constitutional liberty in the world rather than for
economic national interests or for a gain in power.
III. Woodrow Wilson
B. Mexico
1. The Mexican Revolution led to an unstable
Mexico and gave power to a number of leaders
including a military leader Victoriano Huerto
2. Wilson promoted a democratic leader and tried
to stop Huerto from receiving weapons. A battle
broke out leading to about 300 Mexicans dead.
3. Although Wilson thought he was trying to help
Mexico, many Mexicans were upset
III. Woodrow Wilson
C. Puerto Rico
1. The U.S. set up infrastructure and developed Puerto
Rico after the Spanish American War
2. Natives wanted to either become citizens of the U.S.
or an independent country
3. President Wilson signed the Jones Act, making
Puerto Ricans citizens but not giving them all rights.
4. There is still a debate on whether P.R. should remain
a territory, become a state, or become independent
Puerto Rico