Question

Compare Roosevelt's foreign policy in Latin America and Asia. Why did he employ these different methods?

Answer 1

Roosevelt’s policy in Latin America was called “Big Stick policy” that meant that negotiation needed to be peaceful but also strength should be used if something went wrong and it was used especially against the European influence in Latin America. Because of that, there was a threat of a “big stick”. This policy was used in Venezuela because of a British and German blockade, in Panama because of the Canal of Panama, in Nicaragua because of the Nicaragua Canal, in Cuba.

In Asia, Roosevelt’s policy was different, The Open Door Policy was about keeping the doors of Asia open for all nations trades. With this in mind, Roosevelt mediated the Russo-Japanese War and helped Japan to gain control of Korea and the key ports of China, this way power in China went from Russia to Japan.