18.4 America as a World Power

Holland US History II, MATES 2026

Panama Canal (1914)

• canal that connected the Pacific and Atlantic oceans right before South America

• one of the greatest engineering feats of all time

• thousands of died from accidents or disease

• opened in 1914

• Panama gained control in 1999

Roosevelt Corollary

• US claimed the right to protect its economic interest with military intervention in the affairs of W hemisphere nations

• 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine

dollar diplomacy

tactic used to keep European powers out of the W hemisphere

• US used economic power to back loans made by other countries

• US pays off European debts off for other countries → the other country now owes America

  • keeps US control and Euro powers out

Missionary Diplomacy

US had a moral obligation to deny recognition to oppressive, undemocratic or hostile governments in Latin America (push for democracy)

Francisco “Pancho” Villa & Emiliana Zapata

• rebels who opposed new govt.

• undermined new govt. relationship with the US

• 1916: killed 18 American engineers and raided New Mexico killing 17

John J. Pershing

US general ordered to invade and capture Villa

(intervention in Mexico proved imperialist attitudes of Americans)

3 foreign policy goals (early 20th century)

1. expanded access to foreign markets

2. built a modern navy to protect interest abroad

3. exercised international police power to ensure dominance in Latin America