Review:
The Motives for US Expansion:
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CLOSING OF THE FRONTIER:
 signaled the end of progress, expansion and opportunity; high expectations
end; catalyst for democracy gone; urban problems and social unrest prove
the Turner “thesis” to be true. Find new frontiers! “Follow the Sun!”
ECONOMIC MOTIVES:
 mercantilism/favorable balance of trade, new markets, access to raw
materials, and cheap labor
SOCIAL/RELIGIOUS/CULTURAL MOTIVES:
 Christian (Anglo-Saxon) mission, social Darwinism, superior race/culture,
superior (democratic) government, an extension of Manifest Destiny beyond
the shores of the United States, “Follow the Sun”
POLITICAL and MILITARY MOTIVES:
 national security, 2 naval fleets (Atlantic & Pacific), Monroe Doctrine,
compete w/European powers, Mahan’s “Sea Power” premise, establish
colonies for creation of harbors, stepping stones to China
US won war with Spain and now had new territories
This put on China’s doorstep with just one more thing to do to complete the job.
The Election of 1900
McKinley (R-pro Imp) vs. Bryan (D-anti Imp)
No. 1 Issue: IMPERIALISM
McKinley was elected and the continuation of an
aggressive foreign policy of expansionism and
intervention continued.
Sept. 6, 1901: McKinley assassinated
Theodore Roosevelt became president…who was TR?
TR’s Three Guiding Diplomatic Principles
1901 to 1908:
All are Essential for US Progress
 US needed markets to export its goods to
 WHERE?
 US claimed its right to intervene wherever
its interests were threatened
 WHERE?
 US had to keep areas of the world open to
US products, people and principles/ideas
 WHERE?
Who was Theodore Roosevelt? - His Foreign Policy: 1901-1908
“The US should never exercise restraint in international affairs.”
 TR was aggressive, confident, combative
and self-centered.
 TR is considered:
 the “first modern US president”
 an “American original”
 Precedents set by TR:
 No president before him was like him
 Every president after him is expected
to be just like him.
 Analyze the following image…
Opening the Door to China
The US solution: The “Open Door Notes”
US Secretary of State John Hay
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Provisions of OPEN DOOR:
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China is an “open door”…any nation can enter
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Nations agree to preserve China’s “territorial integrity” –
 no colonial claims allowed - ONLY “spheres of influence”
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Obey and respect China’s tariff policies so that China benefits
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No discrimination between nations within China
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Extraterritoriality – China governs its land and its people, but not foreigners.
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Nations neither accept nor reject the policy…which means…?
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Intent of OPEN DOOR:
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To balance POWER in China; no nation assumes more power than others
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Precedents set by OPEN DOOR:
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US is setting policy for other nations to follow
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US is in a role of being mediator in cases of policy violations
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US prestige has increased and is recognized as a world power
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Increased US “influence” in international affairs
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“the 20th century will be the ‘American Century’” -Sen. Albert Beveridge
By-Products of the Open Door Policy
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The BOXER REBELLION – Brotherhood of the Righteous Fists (1899-1901):
Chinese rebellion against foreigners that was “put down” by a coalition of foreign
forces (“8 Nation Alliance”)
RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR (1904)
Russian troops had been in Manchuria to fight the Boxers and refused to withdraw
them afterwards; WHY would they do this?
*Superior Japanese forces attacked (and DESTROYED) the Russian navy
forced the retreat of Russian forces from Manchuria
upset the balance of power in China
Teddy Roosevelt (TR) negotiated the Treaty of Portsmouth, in which:
1. Even though Japan won the war, TR asked both to compromise. WHY?
2. This restored a balance of power in China
3. 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for TR
Who wins? Who loses? What are the consequences of this treaty?
TR’s Foreign Policy:
The Roosevelt Corollary (1904)
(or the “BIG STICK” POLICY)
 KEY ISSUE: Latin American nations were frequently in debt to European nations.
 This caused disorder, instability and poverty in these nations.
 TR’s wanted to maintain order, create stability and promote prosperity in the
Western Hemisphere. The corollary:
 US would INTERVENE as a “policeman” in the event of:
 (1) activities “harmful” to the US and the region
 (2) potential collapse of a nation’s government
 (3) possible intervention by stronger nations - intervene to prevent
intervention”
 Instrument of intervention: US military (navy).
 Bottom line:
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US will use the Monroe Doctrine and its military to intervene in Latin America nations.
 Our Latin neighbors must be good neighbors and play by our rules…or else…
 If nations don’t abide by these rules, the US will intervene to enforce the rules
 Sovereign nations not entitled to complete sovereignty.
Some of the Over 35 US Interventions in Latin America
(“justified” by Roosevelt Corollary)
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1902-Cuba
1903-Panama/Colombia
1912-Nicaragua
1914-Mexico
1915-Haiti and Dominican Republic
1954-Guatemala
1961-Cuba
1965-Dominican Republic
1968-Chile
1970s-El Salvador
1981-Nicaragua
1983-Grenada
1989-Panama
Present: Colombia, Haiti, (Venezuela??)
The Panama Canal
The final piece of the puzzle:
 Why is a canal in the Western Hemisphere
necessary?
 Clayton-Bulwar Treaty (1850-US and GB)–
Agreement by both to never build a canal in
central America WITHOUT another nation.
 The US wanted the rights to build, operate
and control the canal and the land
surrounding it.
 Challenge:
 find a way to get the rights to build the
canal, then build it while keeping control
over every aspect of the canal and Canal
Zone.
Securing the Panama Canal Zone
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Canal’s importance was more about US national security than anything else…
The “Diplomatic” Approach – 3 treaties and 1 revolution:
1. Hay-Pauncefote Treaty(Nov. 1901)
 US bought the rights to build a canal from GB for $40M.
2. Hay-Herran Treaty (Jan. 1903)
 offered to pay $10M and $250,000 a year to Colombia to build canal in Panama,
which was a part of Columbia
 Colombia rejected the treaty. Hay’s “message” to Colombia.
Panamanian “Revolt” (Nov. 1903)
 The US “promoted” and supported this revolt against the Colombian government by
Panamanian “revolutionaries” using “gunboat” diplomacy. Revolution is a success!
3. Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (Nov.1903)
 Panamanian independence guaranteed by the US; canal would be controlled by the
US “in perpetuity” under the same terms of the Hay-Herran Treaty.
We build Panama Canal Zone (500 square miles) for trade, have a presence in Latin
America and bring our “ideals” to Latin America.
1977 – The Panama Canal Treaty
 The canal zone was returned to Panama on 31 Dec 1999.
 Evaluating TR’s Presidency
 Treaty of Portsmouth, Treaty of Algeciras,
Gentlemen’s Agreement and the Root-Takahira
Treaty:
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TR wanted a geographic empire and promoted the
principles of liberty, order, stability and prosperity.
Roosevelt Corollary became the instrument of Monroe
Doctrine, thus aggressively enforcing its original intent.
Under it, nations in Latin America were not sovereign
unless they obeyed the rules made by the USA.
TR’s foreign policy has had a great impact on US-Latin
American relations since 1900 (both positive and
negative).
TR’s efforts contributed greatly to the power and
prestige of the presidency and the United States.
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Had you lived during the era, would you have
supported TR as president?
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Would you have considered him a “great president”?
President William Howard Taft
US Foreign Policy: President William H. Taft
1909-1913– DOLLAR DIPLOMACY
(pages 683 and 684 in American Pageant)
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“hand picked” by TR; expected to
follow in his path.
Remember: Latin American nations
had defaulted on loans from European
countries – led to “Big Stick Policy”
Taft’s FP: “Dollar Diplomacy”:
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Promoted US economic investment
in Asia and Latin America.
Wall St. bankers and wealthy
investors were encouraged to
preempt foreign investment in Asia
and Latin America.
The US military would be used to
protect US economic interests as the
US dollar replaced the US Navy as
the primary instrument of the
policy.
Use $, not bullets…
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Increased:
 commercial and investment
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opportunities for the US
US financial power
Counterbalanced other nation’s
financial power in the world
Resentment in Europe and Latin
America towards the US.
Created new “enemies” as nations
competed for new markets.
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*Accordingly, the US became
increasingly isolated from the
European powers.
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Under Taft, US “economic
imperialism” replaced Roosevelt’s
expansionism in Asia and Western
Hemisphere.
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TR’s response to this?
The Election of 1912
A “defining moment in US politics”
 Upset by Taft’s betrayal, TR, a Republican, decided to
run for president…again…
 Taft won the Republican nomination for president.
 Undeterred, TR formed his own party, “the Bull
Moose” or “Progressive” Party and ran for president.
 Woodrow Wilson won Democratic party nomination.
 You already know who wins the election and why…
The winner:
Woodrow Wilson
US Foreign Policy: 1913-1916 - A SHARP Contrast...
Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”
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“Moral Diplomacy”:
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US foreign policy should conform to our traditional democratic principles.
US should:
 remain out of foreign entanglements/conflicts and remain neutral in international
affairs (ESPECIALLY European affairs).
 help foster the development of constitutional liberty in the world, advance human
rights, create economic opportunity and promote justice.
This approach to diplomacy would restore our prestige around the world and would
be true to our own traditions.
Panama Canal Tolls Act - Open use of canal by all nations on an equal basis (1912)
Jones Act (1913) - promised Philippines their independence “as soon as a stable
government could be established” and defined status of Puerto Rico (1917).
Haiti and Dominican Republic (1915) – Put down rebellion and stabilized both
governments – US remained there for 20 and 10 years respectively to protect US
interests and keep France from intervening to protect its interests there.
Mexican Revolution (1913)-US did not intervene to defend our “material interests” in
Mexico, but Mexican-American relations deteriorated to the point of near war.
Review: US Imperialism: 1899 - 1916
 The Philippine War
 China and Open Door Policy
 Boxers, Russo-Japanese war, etc.
 Roosevelt:
 “Big Stick Policy” (“Bad Neighbor” policy/Roosevelt Corollary)
 Panama Canal and US Intervention in the Americas
 Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy”
 Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy”
 TR as an “American original” and “1st modern president”
 Which of these 3 presidents (and their foreign policy) would you have
supported over the other 2?
 Test will cover Chapter 28 (TR); 25 MC questions and 5 historical
significance questions.