Chapter 21: Acquiring and
Managing Global Power
October 25, 2013
How can the Hamster's actions be interpreted as
diplomacy?
Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson

Guiding principle for all three presidents was to
serve the national interest.
◦ Set of goals – political, economic, military, and cultural
that a nation considers important.

Roosevelt
◦ “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” – Big Stick Policy
◦ Roosevelt Corollary
 Many countries in the hemisphere were still too weak to
defend themselves.
 U.S. should be the “international police power” to preserve
peace and order in the hemisphere and protect American
interests.
 Claimed that his power would help protect weak nations
Taft and Wilson

Taft
◦ Dollar Diplomacy – encourage and protect American
trade and investment in Latin America and Asia.
◦ Strong economic presence abroad would advance
American interests.

Wilson
◦ Moral Diplomacy – based on democratic ideals, rather
than on economic investment or the use of force.
◦ U.S. should use its power to aid “the development of
constitutional liberty in the world.
◦ F.P. based on human rights, national integrity, and
opportunity.
◦ Self – Determination – right of other peoples to
determine their own government, free of outside
influence.
Panama Canal


Shortcut between Atlantic and Pacific
Ocean.
1903, U.S. will encourage a revolt in Panama.
◦ Roosevelt sent warships to prevent Colombian
troops from intervening.

Signed a treaty with the new government of
Panama to build the Panama Canal.
◦ Thousands of workers fell prey to tropical
diseases.
◦ Finished in ten years.
◦ Roosevelt's most important foreign policy
initiative.
American Interventions
Mexico and Puerto Rico

Mexico
◦ By 1910, U.S. businesses had invested around $2 billion in
Mexico, buying up land, banks, mines, and other properties.
◦ Revolutions
◦ Pancho Villa cross boarder raids killed numerous
Americans.

Puerto Rico
◦ After the Spanish American War, it instituted a military
government that began to develop Puerto Rico’s
infrastructure.
 Built schools, a postal service, built roads, and improved
sanitation.
◦ Jones Act made Puerto Rico a U.S. territory; Puerto
Ricans became citizens but were not granted all the rights
of citizenship.
Philippines and Hawaii

Philippines
◦ After Spanish American War; the United States refused to recognize the new
government.
 Fighting breaks out
 U.S. will respond with force, destroying villages, and hearing civilians into
prison camps.
 200,000 Filipinos and 5,000 Americans died

Hawaii
◦ Economy of the islands centered on the export of tropical crops, especially
sugarcane and pineapple.
◦ Wealthy white minority refused to establish a new constitution that gave more
power to native Hawaiians.
◦ 1893, U.S. military forces landed and helped the planters overthrow the queen.
◦ After the revolt the white planters applied to Congress for annexation.
◦ Sanford B. Dole - Dole was named president of the Provisional Government
of Hawaii that was formed after the coup.
 Serving as a friend of both Hawaiian royalty and the elite immigrant
community, Dole advocated the westernization of Hawaiian government and
culture.
◦ 1898 Hawaii was annexed.
China
Spheres of influence in China
 U.S. wanted to prevent foreign
colonization of China in order to maintain
its own access to Chinese markets.
 Secretary of State of John Hay issued the
Open Door Policy – 1899.

◦ Enacted under President McKinley
◦ Called on foreign nations to allow free trade
in China.

Boxer Rebellion