Entering the World Stage

1. Entering the World Stage 17.3 Roosevelt and Latin America “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” -Teddy Roosevelt

2. Focus Your Thoughts . . . • Why was Teddy Roosevelt such an influential figure in American history? List three reasons. • Teddy Roosevelt often quoted a West African proverb: “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far”. What was Roosevelt’s ‘big stick’?

3. Cuba and Puerto Rico • After the Spanish-American War, it was essential we restore order in Cuba and Puerto Rico • McKinley set up military governments on each island

4. Yellow Fever in Cuba • Leonard Wood was appointed as governor of Cuba in 1899 • During Wood’s term in office, scientists made significant steps toward eliminating Yellow Fever; the disease had reached epidemic levels among American troops • As many as 85% of people infected died • U.S. Army doctors Walter Reed and William Gorgas and Cuban doctor Carlos Juan Finlay studied Yellow Fever and theorized that mosquitoes were to blame . . . within a year, they had proven this theory • Reed and Gorgas organized a plan to drain all pools of standing water where mosquitoes bred • Within six months, Yellow Fever had been virtually eliminated in Havana

5. U.S. Control Over Cuba • In 1901, Cuba began to draft a Constitution; however, the United States feared that other imperialist nations might try to annex Cuba and forced Cuba to include the Platt Amendment in their Constitution • The Platt Amendment: Made Cuba a protectorate of the U.S. • Limited Cuba’s ability to sign treaties with other nations • Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs • Forced Cuba to sell and/or lease land to the U.S. for naval stations • Led to the establishment of a U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay What do you think it means to be a ‘protectorate’?

6. Guantanamo Bay

7. Governing Puerto Rico • Unlike Cuba, the U.S. did not make Puerto Rico a protectorate; instead, Puerto Rico was governed as a territory • The Foraker Act – Established that the U.S. would appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and the upper house of the legislature; Puerto Rican voters could elect the lower house • In 1917, we granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans and in 1957, Puerto Rico became a self-governing commonwealth of the United States • The United States still controls interstate trade, immigration, and military affairs . . . just as we do for each of the fifty states

8. Puerto Rico Today

9. The Panama Canal • For decades, people had dreamed of a faster way to move between the Atlantic and the Pacific without having to travel all the way around South America • The French began a canal across the Isthmus of Panama, but went bankrupt and abandoned their plans • In 1902, the U.S. bought the rights to the French canal Secretary of State John Hay began negotiations with Colombia to gain permanent use to the strip of land that the canal would cut through • By 1903, a treaty for a canal zone had been drafted but Colombia would not ratify it

10. Panama’s Revolution • Teddy Roosevelt was especially interested in the construction of the Panama Canal so . . . • When Panamanian revolutionaries, plotting to break free of Colombian rule, had gained his support, they began a revolution, declaring their independence • The United States swiftly recognized the Republic of Panama • A new treaty with Panama gave the U.S. complete and unending sovereignty over a ten-mile-wide canal zone Teddy . . . again

11. The Roosevelt Corollary • The Monroe Doctrine • Passed in 1823 • Declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to further colonization by European nations • Remained an idle threat until the Spanish-American War occurred, then President’s began to enforce it • The Roosevelt Corollary • Without seeking the approval of any Latin American nations, Roosevelt amends the Monroe Doctrine to include the following: “Chronic wrongdoing in the Western Hemisphere may force the United States, however reluctantly, to the exercise of an international police power.” • The Result • Succeeded in bringing more stability to the region, but America’s willingness to use “international police power” made Latin Americans uneasy, they worried about continued U.S. involvement in their affairs

12. Reshaping U.S. Diplomacy • During the presidency of William Taft, U.S. influence in Latin America deepened – we had $1.6 billion worth of investments in Latin America - thanks to Dollar Diplomacy. • Dollar Diplomacy – A policy proposed by Taft that promoted American economic interests in other countries and using that economic power to achieve policy goals. • During the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, American diplomacy was re-shaped • Moral Diplomacy – A policy proposed by Wilson that promoted the use of persuasion and American ideals to advance the nation’s interests abroad

13. The Election of 1912 • Teddy Roosevelt, who had already served as President, had hoped for the Republican nomination again • Republican’s snubbed Teddy and instead nominated incumbent President William Taft; this angered Teddy, he then broke away from the Republican party and formed his own party, the Progressive/Bull Moose Party • Teddy, running as a third party candidate, commanded 27% of the vote . . . all these votes likely would have gone to Taft had Teddy not run. • Because Taft lost 27% of the Republican vote, he only commanded 23%, and the Democratic Presidential candidate, Woodrow Wilson, won the Presidency as a result with 44% • Teddy rejoined the Republican party the next morning  Is there anything Teddy can’t do?

14.  No assignment 