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Franklin roosevelt inauguration speech analysis
Rhetorical analysis franklin d. roosevelt
Franklin roosevelt inauguration speech analysis
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Big stick diplomacy, the dollar diplomacy and moral diplomacy by Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson respectively have had profound impacts on foreign policy, especially during the beginning of the 21st century.Big stick diplomacy describes the foreign policy implemented by Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency 1901-1909. Roosevelt advocated for a policy that reflected the idea that one should “speak softly and carry a big stick.” He described it as “the exercise of intelligent thought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely crisis,” which clearly reflects the prevailing thought of Realpolitik as well as Machiavellian ideals. In practice, this foreign policy ideal is reflected in military terms. …show more content…
Roosevelt’s big stick diplomacy was very important in interventionist foreign policy. His stance was firmly military, no doubt influenced by his past in the US military. Big stick diplomacy was utilized to “seize unprecedented power in handling international affairs” (Shoemaker, 2012). According to Shoemaker (2012), it was Teddy Roosevelt’s interventionist policy which “subverted the Constitution” and helped transform the United States into one of the most powerful nations in the world, in the sense that it allowed the spread of American values and ideals throughout the world. Big stick diplomacy also weakened constitutional government, since it allowed the executive branch to have more sway in foreign policy (Shoemaker, 2012). The manifest destiny is an important concept to note when examining Roosevelt’s presidency. The perception was that any state which did not embrace American ideals, especially regarding freedom and democracy, was potentially a threat to national security (Shoemaker, 2012). Under the idea of big stick democracy too, Roosevelt declared that the US and not Europe, was the only nation that had authority to intervene in Latin America, and that he was acting in the Western Hemisphere’s best interests. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe doctrine demonstrates this belief best and was later used to justify military interventions worldwide, “the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, to the exercise of an international police power” (Roosevelt, 1905 in Shoemaker, 2012). This is highlighted by the US’ intervention in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, where Congress never gave permission for Roosevelt to take over Dominica’s customs houses and enforce revenue collection, or to send military to restore order in Cuba when the
Further more, Interventionism was continued where it was most convenient; in regard to colonial interests, trade opportunities, ensuring peace overseas and the repayment of foreign debt. Although President Harding claimed we see no part in directing the destinies of the world', it seems that a foreign policy of interventionism was needed in directing the destiny of the United States that was a different matter. Colonial interests were claimed in Alaska, the Philipines, Central America and Hawaii. In 1921 it signed the Four Power Treaty with Britain, France and Japan and then the Nine Power Treaty agreeing to respect China's independence but allowing them equal trading rights and so the ability to abuse China's economy.
...nvestment there (Hewitt, 635). Though Woodrow Wilson tried to be a diplomatic imperialist, with so many abroad American business interests at stake, many times he couldn't venture from Theodore Roosevelt's imperialism agenda of using military might.
Throughout the 20th century, successive presidents pursued foreign policy in different ways but with one objective and that is to make America the most powerful nation on earth. Despite the challenges of each administration during this century, presidents found a way to put American at the frontline as the undisputed super power. President Taft pursued an aggressive foreign policy by introducing dollar diplomacy which was meant to encourage U.S. investments in the Latin America and the Caribbean. He used government officials to promote this policy in hope that it will create markets for American products in the region. President Wilson made a promise to the American people that he will focus on domestic policy agenda and rarely will his administration
Between 1895 and 1920, the years in which William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson reigned in the presidents, the United States struggled for not only justice at home but abroad as well. During this period policies such as Roosevelt’s Big Stick diplomacy, William Taft’s Dollar diplomacy, and Woodrow Wilson’s Moral diplomacy were all used in foreign affairs in hopes of benefit for all involved. However, it would be appropriate to say that self-interest was the most important driving factor for American policy and can be exemplified through economic, social, and political relations.
Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Despite an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921, he was a charismatic optimist whose confidence helped sustain the American people during the strains of economic crisis and world war.
Roosevelt shaped the legacy of expansionism that he inherited from McKinley into a new imperialism. Roosevelt's reinterpretation was dedicated to the idea of order in world affairs, rather than occupation or colonization, eventual independence for undeveloped or developing nations once they had conformed to the American model of government, and a world in which international disputes would be settled by negotiation instead of war. The new world order that Roosevelt envisioned was broad in that it would open foreign markets to American values and products.
The purpose of this policy was to exert American Influence and power, and to expand American market. Roosevelt, phased the “speak softly and carry a big stick” which pretty much summed up his foreign affair policy. During the presidency of President McKinley, there were already tension between American economic and foreign markets. The assassination of McKinley in 1091, Roosevelt was ready to step in and file the void. He came prepared.
The big stick diplomacy pertained to the construction and control of the Panama Canal. Nevertheless, President Roosevelt used the Big Stick diplomacy during his presidency. However, the big stick diplomacy underwent critics and deployed. The Big Stick policy, also known as Roosevelt Corollary was a policy that policed the small nations that had unstable governments. Moreover, Roosevelt secured the Panama Canal through the Big stick policy. On the other hand, the big stick diplomacy expanded American markets. Nevertheless, Roosevelt’s determination led to the beginning of trade interests within other nations. Also, it negotiated the unspoken threat of a military. Roosevelt deployed military personnels to restore order to an organized government
Roosevelt aspired to bring the United States out of isolationism and to make it a major world power. In fact, his mantra regarding foreign policy was “speak softly and carry a big stick,” which meant that the United States should be non provocative but assured in their diplomatic affairs. Roosevelt believed a president should be capable of backing his statements with military force if need be, which is a principle that guided his presidency. For instance, he used his executive power in Latin America to help Panama secede from Colombia, which later catalyzed the building of the Panama Canal. Roosevelt also issued a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which established that the United States would “would bar foreign intervention in Latin America and act to police the hemisphere, ensuring that countries paid their international debts.” Additionally, Roosevelt greatly expanded the US Navy, making the United States military force a major international power. Finally, Roosevelt used his ideas to help regulate foreign diplomatic issues as well, such as leading negotiations that ended the Russo-Japanese War, which won him a Nobel Peace Prize. Ultimately, Roosevelt was a strong central figure who involved the United States in the global political sphere and strengthened the nation’s influence
The issue both Presidents faced was whether or not to enter any of the world wars. Both president Woodrow Wilson and Roosevelt felt remaining neutral and not involving themselves in European affairs was the best solution. Wilson himself stated that “the United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name …” for entering the war was not something he or the American
Roosevelt was able to spread his influence into conflict involving other world powers during this, signifying more respect for American power. Another way this was apparent was in the Open Door Policy in China. Around this time, China was largely controlled by other countries that held spheres of influence in the country. These spheres of influence meant that the countries that controlled them practically had control of all trade and economic activity in the area. When the United States was attempting to grow and expand its influence, President McKinley wanted to be included in Chinese trade, but it was a competitive area.
Theodore Roosevelt stepped into head of office on September 19, 1901 when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was the youngest man to become president. His motto was “speak softly but carry a big stick.” President Roosevelt would come into power offering America the square deal. He would take the power away from the industrialists as he controlled big business from the White House. He would soon become known as a TrustBuster. Roosevelt used American power for American interests and was quoted as saying, “I am an American first and last. “ Although some historians argue that Roosevelt acted like a six-year-old throughout his presidency and that he didn’t think things through, ie “he thought with his hips”, one can admire the tremendous leadership qualities that Teddy Roosevelt had. First, he was a very bold man who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. The average citizen was aware of what a “positive, warm and tough, authoritative and funny” president that they had leading them. His leadership qualities stemmed from his time as a New York state Assembly man, a deputy sheriff, a ...
Nye, Jr., Joseph S. “Hard and Soft Power in American Foreign Policy.” In Paradox of American Power. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. 4-17. Print.
Within Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy, Kissinger elaborates on various topics such as the inherent tensions of American diplomacy, what makes it unique and how the uniqueness of American diplomacy led to the views of expansionism and isolationism towards foreign policy. Using topics like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson’s presidencies as well as the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the various dealings in the Middle East and other such foreign affairs, Kissinger effectively provides insight on how these concepts show America’s uniqueness and how it led to America being a successful nation.
The “Big Stick” diplomacy refers to President Roosevelt’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: “speak softly, and carry a big stick.” In other terms, this means to negotiate peacefully while displaying might and power. This diplomacy was a major part of Roosevelt’s international relations policy. An instance in time where this corollary was used was in the 1900’s taking place in Latin America. However, instead of the United States guaranteeing protection from neighbors and independence, the corollary asserted the United States’s unrestricted right to regulate Caribbean affairs.