Big Stick diplomacy

Definition

Big Stick diplomacy refers to the foreign policy approach advocated by President Theodore Roosevelt, which emphasized the use of the threat of military force to achieve the United States' diplomatic and strategic objectives. The term is derived from the saying 'speak softly and carry a big stick,' which encapsulates this policy of using the implicit threat of power to influence international affairs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick diplomacy was a significant departure from the previous foreign policy approach of the United States, which had been more isolationist and non-interventionist.
2. The Big Stick diplomacy was characterized by a willingness to use military force or the threat of force to protect American interests and influence international affairs, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
3. The Corollary Doctrine, which expanded the Monroe Doctrine, was a key component of Big Stick diplomacy, allowing the United States to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European interference or ensure the payment of debts.
4. Big Stick diplomacy was used to justify American interventions in countries like Panama, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, as the United States sought to exert its influence and maintain its strategic and economic interests in the region.
5. The Big Stick diplomacy was criticized by some as a form of American imperialism, as it allowed the United States to assert its power and control over other nations, often without their consent.

Review Questions

• Explain the key principles and objectives of Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick diplomacy.
  • The key principles of Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick diplomacy were the use of the threat of military force and the implicit power of the United States to achieve its diplomatic and strategic objectives. The primary objectives were to protect American interests, maintain American influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, and prevent European interference in the Western Hemisphere, as outlined in the Monroe Doctrine and the Corollary Doctrine. This policy represented a significant shift from the previous non-interventionist approach, as the United States became more willing to use its military and economic power to assert its dominance in international affairs.
• Analyze the relationship between Big Stick diplomacy and American imperialism.
  • There is a strong connection between Big Stick diplomacy and American imperialism. The Big Stick diplomacy allowed the United States to intervene in the affairs of other countries, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, in order to protect its strategic and economic interests. This often involved the use of military force or the threat of force, as well as the assertion of American control over the political and economic systems of these countries. Critics argued that this was a form of American imperialism, as the United States was using its power to dominate and control other nations without their consent. The Big Stick diplomacy was seen as a way for the United States to expand its influence and maintain its position as a global power, even if it meant undermining the sovereignty of other countries.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of Big Stick diplomacy on America's relationships with Latin American and Caribbean nations.
  • The long-term consequences of Big Stick diplomacy on America's relationships with Latin American and Caribbean nations were significant and often negative. The policy of using military force or the threat of force to achieve diplomatic and strategic objectives eroded trust and goodwill between the United States and its neighbors to the south. Many Latin American and Caribbean countries resented the American interventions and the perceived infringement on their sovereignty. This led to resentment and hostility towards the United States, which in turn made it more difficult for the US to maintain stable and productive relationships with these nations. The legacy of Big Stick diplomacy has continued to shape perceptions of American foreign policy in the region, with many countries viewing the United States as an imperialist power that is willing to use its military and economic might to achieve its own interests at the expense of the interests of others. Overcoming this legacy and rebuilding trust has been an ongoing challenge for American diplomacy in the region.

Related terms

Dollar Diplomacy:

A foreign policy approach that emphasized the use of economic influence and financial leverage to advance American interests abroad, in contrast to the military-centric Big Stick diplomacy.

Corollary Doctrine: An extension of the Monroe Doctrine that asserted the United States' right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European interference or to ensure the payment of debts, as part of the Big Stick diplomacy.

Imperialism:

The policy of extending a nation's authority by territorial acquisition or by the establishment of economic and political hegemony over other nations, which was a key aspect of the Big Stick diplomacy.