“Big Stick Policy” (Roosevelt Corollary) As a Result of the Spanish-American War, the United States Became a Major World Power in the Caribbean

Name______Date______Period______S.S. 8

Statement of Inquiry Global competition over resources and power led to American expansion and influence

Theodore Roosevelt’s “Big Stick Policy” (Roosevelt Corollary) As a result of the Spanish-American War, the United States became a major world power in the Caribbean. Teddy Roosevelt, who became president after the war, took advantage of this increase in American power. He liked to quote a West African saying: “Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far.” Roosevelt believed that in foreign affairs, the United States should be willing to use force to protect American interests. Roosevelt was concerned that some Latin American countries were not paying debts they owed to European countries. He thought the Europeans might come across the Atlantic Ocean and use their military to force Latin American countries to pay back their debts. He feared that once European countries were in Latin America, they would stay and take over countries there.

1. Why might President Roosevelt have to use force against European countries? ______

In 1904, Roosevelt announced a corollary (addition) to the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine (1823), had stated that the U.S. would not allow Europeans to interfere with the new nations of Latin America. The Roosevelt Corollary took this one step further. It stated that the United States could intervene (interfere) in Latin American countries in order to protect them. For example, if Europeans crossed the ocean to collect their debts from Latin America, the Roosevelt Corollary stated that the U.S. must intervene to protect Latin America. This meant that the United States would be an international police power, giving it more economic and political strength in Latin America. The U.S. would take responsibility for keeping order and protecting life and property in Latin America.

2. How does the Roosevelt Corollary differ from the original Monroe Doctrine? Explain in your own words. ______

3. How would the Roosevelt Corollary benefit the United States? ______

4. How does this political cartoon represent the Roosevelt Corollary (Big Stick Policy)? Explain all parts of the cartoon.

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