US FOREIGN POLICY
1880-1914
Following the Spanish-American War, the US began to aggressively pursue
an expansionist foreign policy. Now with territories in the Pacific and the
Caribbean, the nation could focus it efforts on both protecting existing
commercial interests and expanding trade to foreign markets.
There were three US presidents who led the US during this time of territorial
and commercial expansion and each furthered their own brand of
international relations:
1. Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) “Big Stick Diplomacy”
2. William Taft (1909-1913) “Dollar Diplomacy”
3. Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) “Moral Diplomacy”
Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Diplomacy”
He used the Monroe Doctrine as support for US
intervention in various Latin American nations.
* Nicaragua (initial canal preference)
* Colombia/Panama (canal building)
* Venezuela (debt repayment)
* Dominican Republic (debt repayment)
* Cuba (Platt Amendment)
* Japan (Root-Takahira Treaty)
Roosevelt Corollary (1904): essentially turned the
US into an “international police power” and
gave US right to intervene in order to stabilize the
economies of Caribbean and Central American
nations if they were unable to pay their
European debts.
The Monroe Doctrine sought to prevent
European powers from creating Latin American
empires, the addition of the Roosevelt Corollary
announced US intention to take their place.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Successes and Failures of “Big Stick”

Numerous “big stick” policies were
successful for US, especially in terms of
furthering US economic interests

Was successful in brokering numerous
peace agreements (Treaty of
Portsmouth, Gentlemen’s Agreement)

Helped US gain world influence and
power (through both diplomatic and
military means)

Aggressive determination in regard to
the Panama Canal damaged relations
with Latin America
GREAT WHITE FLEET
Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”
The goal was the expand US influence by
guaranteeing loans made to foreign countries by
nations in Latin America and East Asia (in an
effort to protect US trade)
- 1908 $41 million
- 1914 $93 million

encouraged and supported American bank
and industrialist investments

Prevented European powers from profiting
Used in the following countries:
* Panama (protecting the canal)
* Nicaragua (revolt supported by US miners)
* Honduras (debt repayment)
* Haiti (debt repayment)
* Dominican Republic (debt repayment)
* Mexico (promote economic stability)
* China (promote economic stability)
WILLIAM H. TAFT
Successes and Failures of “Dollar
Diplomacy”

Gained the US short-term allies

Strengthened the US economy through
American foreign investment

Allowed US to gain position of influence in
numerous emerging global markets

Created long-term animosity throughout
Latin America (“dollar diplomacy” became
so closely associated with unpopular
regimes, corporations and banks that it
caused Wilson to attempt to completely
reverse the tactic upon taking office)
Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”
As Wilson viewed the US as the most “moral” of
all nations, the goal was to support like-minded
democratic countries and economically hurt
countries seen as threats to US and democracy
worldwide.
“Dollar diplomacy” was based on economic
support, but “moral diplomacy” was based on
economic power.
Used in the following nations:
* Mexico (Mexican Revolution)
* Haiti (Haitian presidential elections)
* Dominican Republic (debt repayment)
* Panama (protecting the canal)
* Turkey (mining, irrigation and railroads)
* China (railroad in Manchuria)
* Nicaragua (debt repayment)
WOODROW WILSON
Successes and Failures of “Moral Diplomacy”





His administration negotiated arbitration
agreements with over 30 nations to keep
peace
Despite his intentions to stabilize Latin
America and the Caribbean with minimal
involvement, he intervened in regional
affairs more than any other president
Sent troops to Nicaragua, Haiti and the
Dominican Republic (created a military
presence in the area that lasted for
decades)
Didn’t take into account the nearimpossibility of trying to graft US–style
democracy/capitalism on to a country with
its own culture and customs
Received a hostile reception from foreign
nations