The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Theodore Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

The major strengths of Theodore Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy lied in his eager and energetic global action, his desire to involve the United States in global politics, as well as in his belief in his Big Stick diplomacy. Roosevelt’s naval intervention in Panama, which led to successful retaliation against Colombian government, allowed for the construction the Panama Canal previously stymied by a lack of cooperation on the part of Colombia. The Canal uncovered a new and valuable trade route, linking the Pacific to the Atlantic, and stimulating economic growth for both the United States as well as other countries.
Roosevelt’s intervention in the Russo-Japanese conflict displayed the strength in the African Proverb “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, which Roosevelt frequently quoted and used as a guide in foreign affairs. By way of this proverb, Roosevelt was able to arbitrate the Russo-Japanese dispute over Korea and Manchuria in 1905, secretly agreeing to Japanese annexation of Korea, and in return, forcing Japan to keep out of China, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The combatants laid down their arms, and Roosevelt received the Nobel Peace Prize

Basing his diplomatic action in his very American democratic and Christian values, his intentions were misinterpreted by nations globally, as his basis of morality differed from the nations he attempted to deal with. Governments were taken over on Wilson’s basis of morality and those views were impressed and forced upon them. In addition, forced was resorted to, although on a much smaller scale than previously exercised. Wilson’s brief instance in which Mexico was not recognized as a country displayed the gap between his moral foreign policy and actual foreign necessary for global relations. All in all, Wilson gained a “preachy” reputation that was not well received, and followed him into the drafting of the Treaty of