President McKinley watched the European powers spread in Africa and Asia and started a more aggressive foreign policy. Presidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson continued that with different policies each. They attempted to control foreign resources, promote democracy, and serve the national interest.
Roosevelt used the Big Stick Policy, the US intervened in Latin American countries and the Caribbean.
Taft continued Roosevelt’s policy but also shifted to economic goals using the Dollar Diplomacy policy. The US encouraged and protected American trade and investment in Latin America and Asia. For example, the US supported a revolt in Nicaragua by giving loans and troops to the new government.
Woodrow policy was called Moral Diplomacy and was primarily based on democratic ideals. This way the US would use its power to promote, like Wilson said, “the development of constitutional liberty in the world.”
