Roosevelt & American Diplomacy: Post-War Actions and Global Influence

1. Roosevelt & American Diplomacy

2. The U.S. Did Not Stop After the War • China was desirable to other nations (Russia, Germany, Britain, France, and Japan) • Huge population • A lot of markets – important for trade • The nations were seeking spheres of influence • Areas of economic & political control

3. The U.S. Did Not Stop After the War • John Hay, McKinley’s Sec. of State wanted other nations to keep an open door to China • Open Door Policy – U.S. would have equal access to China’s millions of consumers / all nations could trade freely in China

4. What is going on in these pictures? Who do you see?

5. Boxer Rebellion • While nations were debating on which territories to control within China, secret Chinese societies (Righteous & Harmonious Fists) were organizing to get rid of the foreign presence • Members of the secret societies were “Boxers” • Boxers would rise up to take out the “foreign devils” • Result: destruction of foreign embassies in Beijing, killing 200+ foreigners

6. Great White Fleet • Tensions were high between U.S. & Japan • Fought for influence in Asia • Agreed to respect each other’s territorial possessions • TR sent part of the U.S. Navy on a cruise around the world (Great White Fleet) • Designed to demonstrate the nation’s impressive naval power • this did not improve relations

7. Panama Canal • 1901: McKinley was assassinated • Who becomes President? • Roosevelt tries to purchase rights to build canal across Panama (owned by Columbia at the time) but gets nowhere • A revolt in Panama led to Panamanian Independence

8. What’s Up With That? Why would the U.S. want to set up a canal that runs between Central & South America? Hint: LOOK AT THE PICTURE

9. Building the Canal • Let’s think about the Platt Amendment • What did it say? • November 6, 1903 • U.S. recognized Panama’s independence • 2 weeks later, John Hay signed a treaty with Cuba • Gave U.S. a 10 mile strip of land across the country • TR’s actions in Panama horrified many Latin Americans & angered Congress “I took the canal zone and let Congress debate…and while the debate goes on, the canal does also.” - TR

10. Compare & Contrast the Platt Amendment & the Building of the Panama Canal

11. Platt Amendment Treaty to build canal Both

12. Click on the picture for a video

13. Panama Canal Pros Cons

14. After the Canal was Built • Canal was completed in 1914 • Same year as what? • TR’s opponents did not like his methods of conquest but the average American approved The Canal today 

15. Roosevelt Corollary • “Big Stick” diplomacy • The U.S. intervenes in LA affairs when necessary • Maintain stability in Western Hemisphere • 1905 – Dominican Republic had fallen behind in payments to European nations • TR sent American marines to collect money that was owed • After TR, Taft’s policy of intervention became known as dollar diplomacy • Use country’s wallet, rather than military muscle, to maintain peace

16. What’s Up With That? • The United States used the Monroe Doctrine to warn Great Britain and other European powers not to intervene in Latin America. What was the purpose of the Roosevelt Corollary?