Roosevelt Corollary

Definition

The Roosevelt Corollary was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, asserting the right of the United States to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and order. It justified American intervention in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in cases of chronic wrongdoing or financial instability, reinforcing the U.S. role as a regional police power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Roosevelt Corollary was introduced as a response to fears of European intervention in Latin America during financial crises, particularly in Venezuela.
2. It established a precedent for U.S. intervention in Latin America, leading to military actions in countries such as the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
3. Roosevelt believed that a strong U.S. presence was necessary to prevent European powers from exploiting instability in the region.
4. The corollary reflected the broader imperialist mindset of the early 20th century, where the U.S. sought to expand its influence and control over Latin America.
5. The Roosevelt Corollary was later invoked to justify U.S. involvement in various Latin American affairs throughout the 20th century, impacting relations between the U.S. and its southern neighbors.

Review Questions

• How did the Roosevelt Corollary expand upon the principles of the Monroe Doctrine?
  • The Roosevelt Corollary expanded upon the Monroe Doctrine by not only warning European nations against interference but also asserting that the United States had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain order and stability. While the Monroe Doctrine was primarily a policy of containment, the Roosevelt Corollary transformed it into an active justification for intervention, allowing the U.S. to act unilaterally if it deemed necessary to prevent European involvement or internal chaos in its neighboring countries.
• Evaluate the impact of the Roosevelt Corollary on U.S.-Latin American relations during the early 20th century.
  • The impact of the Roosevelt Corollary on U.S.-Latin American relations was significant and often contentious. While it aimed to stabilize the region, it led to increased resentment and distrust towards American motives, as many Latin American nations viewed U.S. interventions as imperialistic rather than protective. The corollary facilitated numerous military actions by the U.S., which reinforced the idea of America as a regional hegemon but also contributed to anti-American sentiment across Latin America that persisted throughout the century.
• Analyze how the Roosevelt Corollary reflects broader themes of American imperialism and interventionism during its era.
  • The Roosevelt Corollary reflects broader themes of American imperialism and interventionism by exemplifying how the U.S. sought to position itself as a dominant power in international affairs, particularly in its own hemisphere. This doctrine illustrated a shift from isolationism to active involvement in global matters underpinned by economic interests and national security concerns. It represented an era where moral justifications for intervention were often cloaked in rhetoric about stability and order, aligning with other imperialistic policies and initiatives such as Big Stick Diplomacy and strategic endeavors like building the Panama Canal.

Related terms

Monroe Doctrine:

A U.S. policy established in 1823 that warned European nations against further colonization or interference in the Americas.

Big Stick Diplomacy:

The foreign policy approach of Theodore Roosevelt that emphasized using military power and diplomacy to achieve U.S. goals, famously summed up as 'speak softly and carry a big stick.'

Panama Canal: A significant engineering project completed in 1914 that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, demonstrating U.S. influence and strategic interests in Latin America.