The United States in Latin America

1. The United States in Latin America Chapter 14, Section 4

2. U.S. Policy in Puerto Rico and Cuba • Puerto Rico remained under U.S. rule after the S-A War. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 and established a civil government on the island. • Although Puerto Rico was a part of the United States, they could not enjoy the same privileges– in the insular cases, it was decided that Puerto Ricans had to pay taxes, but were not citizens. • Similarly, Cubans disliked the Platt Amendment because it restricted their freedoms, stating: • Had to have US consent to sign treaties; • Lease land for naval bases (Guantanamo Bay); • US had ‘right to intervene’ to uphold order.

3. U.S. Policy in Puerto Rico and Cuba • Puerto Rico remained under U.S. rule after the S-A War. The Foraker Act was passed in 1900 and established a civil government on the island. • Although Puerto Rico was a part of the United States, they could not enjoy the same privileges– in the insular cases, it was decided that Puerto Ricans had to pay taxes, but were not citizens. • Similarly, Cubans disliked the Platt Amendment because it restricted their freedoms, stating: • Had to have US consent to sign treaties; • Lease land for naval bases (Guantanamo Bay); • US had ‘right to intervene’ to uphold order.

4. Roosevelt Pursues “Big Stick” Diplomacy • In regards to foreign policy, Roosevelt adopted a belief that a strong military was needed to achieve goals. • This became known as “big stick diplomacy” from the African proverb “speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” • In 1903, the U.S. bought the rights to the Panama Canal from a French company. • Since Panama belonged to Colombia, they needed permission from the Colombian gov to build. • When the Panamanians rebelled for their independence, Roosevelt sent ships to back them. • Upon acquiring freedom, they purchased the Canal Zone for $10 million, and $250,000 annual rent.

5. Roosevelt Pursues “Big Stick” Diplomacy • When the canal was completed in 1914, it cut 8,000 miles off the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. • When Latin American countries could not pay their debts, European countries began to occupy these countries. • In an effort to demonstrate regional power, Roosevelt updated the Monroe Doctrine by adding this corollary to it: • In the case of “chronic wrongdoing” (i.e debt) by a foreign nation, the U.S. could step in as a ‘police power’ and restore order. • It provided a basis for U.S. intervention.

6. Wilson Pursues Moral Diplomacy • When William Taft assumed the role of president, he continued the Open Door Policy in China and focused his foreign policy on trade. • Thus, he believed the way to interact and control another country was through the use of money, known as dollar diplomacy. • President Wilson’s foreign policy was even more different from Roosevelt’s than Taft’s. • Instead of territorial conquest, Wilson believed in promoting human rights and integrity in these countries, known as ‘moral diplomacy’. • However, both Taft and Wilson used the U.S.’ strong military when necessary.

7. Wilson Pursues Moral Diplomacy • One of these instances was in Mexico in 1914 to help pro-American Venustiano Carranza attain power. • When Mexican rebels, led by Pancho Villa, crossed the border into New Mexico and killed 18, Wilson sent troops after him, led by John J. Pershing. • Villa managed to evade Pershing for months, and eventually Wilson was forced to withdraw troops, with the onset of WWI.