APUSH Imperialism + Panama

Constructing the Panama Canal - “The Greatest achievement for trade in modern times” as it allowed trade between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, significantly reducing travel times

  • Roosevelt helps orchestrate a coup against Columbia to create the Panama Republic

    • This was a strategic move to secure a canal route that would facilitate trade and military movement, ultimately leading to the construction of the Panama Canal.

    • The French occupied Panama previously

  • The US originally had rights to building a canal in Nicaragua but decided to build it in Panama bcuz of the more favorable geography and the possibility of a quicker construction timeline, as well as local political support that was more aligned with U.S. interests.

  • US has control over the canal for 85 years before Pres Carter gives it back

  • The construction of the Panama Canal was overlooked by many other wars and issues past the Western hemisphere as the United States proved its power + WW1 was a thing

    • The United States began to believe that actions outside of the Western hemisphere had an impact on the quality of United States life.


“Big Stick Policy” used to make sure no other country in the region could undermine U.S. interests or influence in Central America/The Caribbean

  • Roosevelt used military force to extend US power in Latin America

    • 1902-1903 Roosevelt gaining power in the Caribbean

  • He frequently used the smaller country’s political conflicts (their desire for revolution) to manipulate the new governments into helping the US w/ what they wanted

  • When the Dominican Republic almost opted in for foreign intervention bcuz of massive debts, Roosevelt used the Monroe Doctrine to essentially say that the US was the policeman of the area and foreign countries should have no involvement in Latin America

  • “Dollar Diplomacy” under Taft - designed to promote American economic interests and stability abroad by substituting "dollars for bullets". Directly counteracted Roosevelt’s previous “Big Stick Policy” which used military intervention.


The United States’ Economic Interests

  • Ex. the United States is willing to put up with the Mexican dictator to keep up with their economic interests.

  • The Zimmerman Note - a letter from Germany to Mexico where Germany says it’ll help Mexico regain some of its land (Texas, Arizona, and new Mexico). You could argue that the United States joined WW1 because it didn’t want to negatively impact its economic interests w/ Mexico/its allies

    • In the note, Germany says it aims to keep the United States neutral but if this wasn’t possible they were willing to conduct war, peace, and economic benefits w/ Mexico