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Historical significance of monroe doctrine
What is the monroe doctrine and what is its historical importance
What is the monroe doctrine and what is its historical importance
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US Involvelment in Latin America During Teddy Roosevelt’s Time
US primary concern in Latin America was to maintain political stability in order to protect ourselves as well as our business and trade interests. To accomplish this, the Monroe doctrine was expanded to include the Roosevelt Corollary. The Roosevelt Corollary said that the United States would intervene in the internal affairs of Latin America through Military and Diplomatic actions in order to protect political stability and American interests. This policy was established without input from Latin American countries and put the US into the role of international police to maintain peace and order in the Western Hemisphere. Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy was to “speak softly but carry a big stick” We also used “dollar diplomacy” which was the practice of replacing European loans with American ones in Latin America but then used military force to keep our investments safe.
Some examples of “the big stick in action” are:
1) Although Cuba wanted its independence and we had promised they could be, we required the Platt Amendment in their constitution, which said that we could intervene in Cuba anytime to protect life, liberty or property.
2) After the Spanish American War, we took control of Puerto Rico and ruled it like a territory.
3) After Haiti had a violent coup in 1915, Wilson sent the Marines occupy it and build roads, hospitals and schools etc.
4) During the Mexican Revolution, we sent troops into Northern Mexico in order to catch Villa.
5) When Teddy Roosevelt wanted to build the Panama Canal, Panama was part of Colombia. Colombia refused to sign a treaty with the US allowing us to build the canal because they wanted more money. Roosevelt encouraged Panamanian leaders to revolt and sent a battleship to help them. Once Panama was separate, they signed a treaty with the US agreeing to let us build the canal. Roosevelt actually created a country.
Roosevelt presidency is distinguished by his deduction by making America one of the best country in the world. He demonstrates his desire of improving the status of America by making distinguished decision. The Panama Canal is an example. Known as one of the greatest engineering feats in all of history, the Panama Canal is an essential asset for international trade and travel today that President Roosevelt helped expedite the completion by providing tacit approval of the Panama revolution with funds and a naval blockade preventing Colombian troops from landing in Panama (McCullough 364). Although the U.S needed to get permission to build the canal from the country of Colombia, because Panama was part of that country, Roosevelt did not give up on the project since this idea was what many people wanted as an easier way to travel to and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Building the Panama Canal was an incredibly difficult challenge (David). However, there were other country at that time with the money and engineering talent to succeed on such a vast project but didn't have . As an example the French and many previous United State presidents had tried years before to attain this goal, but had ended by giving up since the work included gigantic engineering projects, such as the series of locks that raised the ships from sea level to the level of the canal, and then lowered them back to sea level at the other end (David). This canal portrayed a much greater use than travel and trade, it helped bring two worlds together. This amazing project also converted the Panama Canal Zone into a major area for American military forces, making the United States the dominant military power in Central America ( Miller Center). This action take by Roosevelt influence others, since he was the only president
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
...States and Columbia over the Panama Canal, a planned "revolt" breaks out in Panama, led by Philipe Baneau-Varilla. This "revolt" gives the United States a reason to bring their military into Latin America, as the troops are sent in to Panama to maintain order. Panama gained their independence from Columbia thanks to the aid of the United States, and they helped the America complete the Panama Canal, which was finished in 1913.
The U.S. had to have some sort of control and a permanent existence after withdrawing their military from Cuba. The Cubans feel that this amendment has made it possible for the U.S. to cause trouble or intervene anytime they want.
The expression was likewise utilized later by Roosevelt to clarify his relations with local political pioneers and his methodology to such issues as the regulation of syndications and the requests of exchange unions. The expression came to be naturally connected with Roosevelt and was oftentimes utilized by the press, particularly in toons, to allude especially to his remote strategy; in Latin America and the Caribbean, he instituted the Big Stick Policy. The Monroe Doctrine was first stated by the fifth American President James Monroe during the State of the Union Address to Congress; his seventh in a row on December 2, 1823. The Monroe Doctrine expressed that the free American landmasses are not to be liable to future colonization by European powers. The United States expected to stay nonpartisan to existing European states in America however unequivocally contradicted the formation of new ones among the Hispanic American republics that as of late picked up autonomy. The Monroe Doctrine uncovered that any further deliberations of nations from Europe to colonize arrive in North or South America would be viewed as demonstrations of hostility and thusly obliges American mediation. TR thinks the us has a role as the worlds police because the US is one of the most powerful countries/continents in the world, once you put all the factors in, political, army, and etc. He has the authority to think this because we basically lead the other countries into the good things that was happening for them. He is using the new diplomacy to also to help back himself up. The us is the strongest, richest, most powerful country in the world and TR knows he is going to get what he wants and the
Puerto Rico spent most of its history under the control of Spain. In the year 1898, the islanders wanted their freedom and welcomed the U.S. invaders as their last hope of liberation from Spanish control. The United States brought the promise of democracy to Puerto Rico, but its true intentions did not include letting go of the island. Although the United States claimed that its intentions were to civilize Puerto Rico and help it become a democratic society, its hypocritical manner of dealing with the island had a great impact on Puerto Rican development. The early years of U.S. colonization affected many aspects of Puerto Rico, including economics, politics, and social relations.
Taylor Hackford’s “Proof of Life” (2000) displays the positive outcome westernization and a democratic government modeled after the US can have on a developing Latin America. Hackford provides a glimpse of what he postulates to be the solution for Latin America’s unstable governments and economies. Hackford commends the US’s efforts to intervene in Latin American affairs. With the help of the US, Latin American can modernize with technological innovation and increase their globalization efforts with foreign trade; however, US intrusion in Latin America has only benefited the US. Tony Gilroy was chosen to write the script. Russell Crowe, Meg Ryan and David Morse were selected to star in “Proof of Life”.
Since the start of Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, he wanted to imperialize the United States. He believed that building a canal in Latin America would be a good way to imperialize. It would connect the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans and would be much quicker and more efficient than having to go around the bottom tip of South America in the Tierra del Fuego. Roosevelt was determined to build this canal and would keep pushing for it until he got his way. He faced many obstacles, but his determination enabled him to overcome them. With much help, he would build one of the most important canals in the western hemisphere.
During his time as president, Europe started to take advantage of under developed Latin American countries. Europe would give these under developed countries loan they would never be able to pay back, to gain control. When Europe started going after Caribbean countries, Roosevelt stated his new policy. The Roosevelt Corollary, or better known as the Big Stick Policy, stated that the United States had police power over the Western Hemisphere. Another example of Roosevelt’s ambition was the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was a major goal for Roosevelt. The canal would serve as a short cut for naval and commercial ships crossing to the Pacific Ocean. The main problem he ran into was the Columbian Government. Even though Roosevelt offered to pay 10 million dollars and use United States resources to build the canal, the Columbian government would not budge. Roosevelt then took the unorthodox approach of getting the canal, by urging Panama to fight for their independence. Panama gained their independence in 1903, and the Panama Canal was finished in 1915. The Panama Canal was arguably one of Roosevelt’s biggest achievements while in office. Roosevelt’s ambition drove his foreign policies and should be
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.
During his presidency, Roosevelt was able to gain the Panama Canal. Originally when Roosevelt was interested in building the Panama Canal, Panama was under Colombian rule. Roosevelt proceeded to give a proposition to buy the 10 mile long canal from Columbia, but unfortunately they declined the offer in hopes of being offered more money. What Columbia could not have known was that the Panamanian people were planning a revolution to free themselves of Colombian rule and that Roosevelt was going to secretly aid them with the thought of getting the Panama Canal in mind. The Panama revolution last a short three days with the secret aid of America, and what soon followed was that other countries such as Japan, Britain, and of course the United States of America recognized the independence of Panama. When Panama signed the treaty to claim their independence, Roosevelt quickly stepped in and offered them a whooping $10 million for the 10 mile long canal and the Panamanian people agreed in a
Theodore Roosevelt's most famous project was the Panama Canal. It is the waterway that was built in the early 1900s across the strip of land connecting North and South America. Before the canal was built, ships had to make a long voyage around the tip of South America. The U.S. needed to get permission to build the canal from the country of Columbia, because at that time Panama was part of Columbia. Columbia refused, however, apparently hoping to be offered a bigger payment. Building the Panama Canal was an incredibly difficult challenge. There were few if any other countries at that time with the money and engineering talent to succeed on such a vast project. The French had tried years before, and had given up.
For 113 days during the summer of 1898, the United States was at war with Spain. Neither the president of the United States, nor his cabinet, nor the the queen of Spain, nor her ministers wanted the war wanted the war. It happened eventhough they made their best efforts to prevent it. It happened because of ambition, miscalculation, and stupidity; and it happened because of kindness, wit, and resourcefulness. It also happened because some were indifferent to the suffering of the world’s wretched and others were not (O’Toole 17). By winning the war the United States proved the the rest of the world and to itself that it could and would fight against foreign nations. For many years, world power had been concentrated in the countries in Europe. Nations such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and Spain had the most influence in global affairs. But a shift in power was gradually taking place as the United States matured. The young nation gained wealth and strength. Its population grew immensely, and many people believed it would become a major world power (Bachrach, 11) Spain was one of the many European countries that had territory in the United States. Spain controlled mostly some islands off the coast of Central America. The most important of these were Cuba and Puerto Rico. The United States was led to believe that the Spanish mosgoverned and abused the people of these islands. In fact, Spain did overtax and mistreat the Cubans, who rebelled in 1868 and again in 1895. Thus, the American people felt sympathetic toward the Cuban independence movement. In addition, Spain had frequently interfered with trade between its colonies and the United States. Even though the United States had been a trading partner with Cuba since the seventeenth century, Spain sometimes tried to completely stop their trade with Cuba. In Spain doing so, this sometimes caused damage to U.S. commercial interests. The United States highly disagreed with Spain’s right to interfere with this trade relationship. (Bachrach, 12) The United States was also concerned that other trading and commercial interests were threatened by the number of ships and soldiers Spain kept in the area. If the United States had to fight a war with Canada or Mexico, these Spanish forces could quickly mobilize against the United States.
2. Discuss the relevance of the location of Cuba and the significance of gaining sovereignty over this territory.
On July 25, 1898 United States troops invaded Puerto Rico during the Spanish American War . As Olga Jimenez de Wagenheim and Kal Wagenheim state“ The war marked new eras for both the United States and Puerto Rico. It was America’s first major step as an imperialist power , The Spanish American War was a small war , edging towards immense consequences ” (77) . December 10, 1898 The Treaty of Paris between The United States and Spain was signed, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States . From there on The United States gained total control of the island of Puerto Rico and “ undertook a sustained Americanization campaign designed to make Puerto Rico in its sympathies , views, and attitude toward life and toward government essentially American” ( Morris 7 ). The United States claimed that their intention of possessing the island was to free the island from the Spanish but, Puerto Ricans soon learned that they would just be a controlled possession of the United States , this made some natives very unhappy. In just a short period of time Puerto Rico went from being a possession of Spain to the possession of the United States . Going through these sudden changes has caused many issues in the political , economic, and social status of Puerto Rico.