Gunboat Diplomacy, Panama,

Gunboat Diplomacy, Panama, and the New World Policeman

Theodore Roosevelt's Perspective

  • Claim of Strength

    • Roosevelt asserts the U.S. as a powerful entity on the global stage.

    • Emphasis on American vigor and future prospects similar to a strong man preparing for a race.

    • Indicates determination to take action rather than merely discuss issues.

  • Decisive Leadership

    • Roosevelt took control over the Panama Canal project without waiting for Congressional approval.

Emergence of the U.S. in International Politics

  • Post-Spanish American War

    • Rise of the United States as a key player in international diplomacy.

    • The Western Hemisphere represented opportunities for the U.S. in various sectors, particularly economic ventures.

  • Benevolent Paternalism

    • U.S. policy towards Latin America characterized as protective but controversial, leading to increasing resentment.

Enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine

U.S. Naval Expansion

  • Prevention of European Influence

    • U.S. aimed to assert control in Latin America, particularly to keep European powers at bay.

    • Roosevelt advocated for constructing a powerful navy, linking naval strength to national security.

  • Great White Fleet

    • In 1907, Roosevelt’s fleet demonstrated U.S. naval capabilities by embarking on a world tour to showcase naval power and reinforce U.S. influence.

Controversy in Latin America

  • Venezuelan Debt Crisis (1902)

    • U.S. defended against European blockade actions regarding Venezuela's unpaid debts.

    • Roosevelt viewed European intervention as an unacceptable violation of U.S. interests.

    • Argentine Minister Drago proposed the Drago Doctrine to prevent European military intervention for debt collections, which ultimately was overshadowed by Roosevelt's Corollary.

The Panama Canal Negotiations

Background of Canal Discussions

  • Historical Treaties

    • The U.S. signed the Bidlack-Mallarino Treaty in 1846 with Colombia, securing transit rights across Panama.

    • The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) restricted unilateral U.S. action regarding canal construction.

French Canal Efforts

  • French Attempt (1879)

    • Ferdinand de Lesseps, the designer of the Suez Canal, initiated the French canal in Panama but faced insurmountable challenges leading to failure.

U.S. Interest in Panama

  • Shift from Nicaragua to Panama

    • Despite Nicaragua being a more viable option, political and strategic reasons led the U.S. to favor Panama after the French retreated.

    • President Roosevelt sought to secure a treaty with Colombia.

Hay-Herrán Treaty

  • Proposed Agreement

    • The Hay-Herrán Treaty aimed for the U.S. to lease land for the canal but was rejected by Colombia, leading to U.S. frustrations.

  • Revolutionary Support

    • Philippe Bunau-Varilla supported the idea of an independent Panama, fostering a revolution to facilitate U.S. interests in canal construction.

Creation of Panama

Panamanian Independence

  • U.S. Navy Involvement

    • The U.S. Navy's presence, particularly the USS Nashville, ensured that Colombian reinforcements could not land, aiding the success of Panamanian independence on November 3, 1903.

  • Immediate U.S. Recognition

    • The U.S. quickly recognized Panama, leading to the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, granting the U.S. a ten-mile-wide canal zone.

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

Redefining Foreign Policy

  • Justification for Intervention

    • Roosevelt's Corollary established the U.S. as the enforcer of stability in Latin America, legitimizing interventions to maintain order and collect debts.

  • Chronic Wrongdoing

    • U.S. would act to rectify cases of mismanagement or wrongdoings by Latin American nations that could invite European intervention.

U.S. Military Interventions

  • Precedent for Increase

    • Roosevelt's policies set a precedent for frequent U.S. military interventions across Latin America, with numerous engagements in countries like Colombia, Panama, and Nicaragua.

  • Continuation under Successors

    • Subsequent presidents upheld Roosevelt’s interventionist policies, marking a notable period of U.S. military presence in Latin America through the early 20th century.

Conclusion

  • Long-Term Implication

    • The aggressive U.S. policies towards Latin America laid down by Roosevelt had lasting impacts, leading to distrust among Latin American nations and prompting discussions for a change in approach in subsequent decades.