The United States and Latin America

1. The United States and Latin America

2. The Monroe Doctrine 1823 – President Monroe warns European nations not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere Expands on the ideals of manifest destiny

3. Roosevelt and Latin America The Panama Canal allows the United States to become more involved in Latin America The Roosevelt Corollary – establishes the United States as the “police officer” of the western hemisphere Famous West African Proverb – Speak softly and carry a big stick.

4. Roosevelt Corollary “Chronic wrongdoing… may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention [involvement] by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence [observance] of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly [unwillingly], in flagrant [extreme] cases of such wrongdoing… to the exercise of an international police power.”

5. Taft and Dollar Diplomacy • A shift from Roosevelt's “big stick” policy • Wanted to influence Latin America through economic, not military, intervention • Would expand US business interests in the region • Nicaragua – revolt after the United States gave $ 1.5 billion in exchange for control of the National Bank of Nicaragua and the national railway • Taft sends marines to protect American interests

6. Wilson and Democracy • Rejects Taft’s dollar diplomacy • Did not like the idea of big business in foreign affairs • Rather, the US has a moral obligation to promote democracy in Latin America • Protect US interests by backing democratic government * Like Roosevelt and Taft, Wilson would not allow unrest in Latin America to threaten U.S. interests there