Roosevelt & American Diplomacy

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

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

The U.S. Did Not Stop After the War

What is going on in these pictures? Who do you

see?

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

Boxer Rebellion

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

Great White Fleet

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

Panama Canal

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

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

Building the Canal

Compare &

Contrast

the Platt

Amendment &

the Building of the

Panama Canal

Platt Amendment

Treaty to build canal

Both

Click on the picture for a video

Panama Canal

Pros Cons

Canal was completed in 1914

Same year as what? TR’s opponents did not like his methods of

conquest but the average American approved

After the Canal was Built

The Canal today

“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

Roosevelt Corollary

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?

What’s Up With That?