Introduction

The discussion begins with a welcome to the class and a brief acknowledgment of the upcoming final weeks of the semester. Key dates and assignments are provided, including the third exam scheduled for April 20, along with reminders about reading assignments and due dates for various documents.

Key Dates and Assignments

  • Third Exam: April 20
      - Reminder: Exam will take place unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
  • Document Assignments: Due on April 10
      - Additional document reactions due the evening before on April 9.
  • Reading Assignment:
      - Pages 1147 through 1166 for Wednesday's class.
  • No class on Friday due to Good Friday observance.

Review of Previous Material

  • The lecture previous week focused on the expansionist impulses during the late 19th century, particularly regarding Latin America.
  • Emphasis is placed on the Monroe Doctrine and its implications for U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
  • American involvement in the Spanish-American War is discussed, particularly its impact on Cuba, which became a U.S. protectorate, as well as territorial acquisitions such as the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

The Spanish-American War

  • The war led to Cuba’s liberation but established U.S. control over it as a protectorate.
  • The U.S. began acquiring overseas colonies for the first time, highlighting a shift towards imperialism.
  • The Philippines: The islands were under U.S. control until their liberation in 1946.
       - Guam and Puerto Rico remain territories under U.S. control.

Theodore Roosevelt's Policy

  • Theodore Roosevelt's Expansionism: Roosevelt expanded on previous expansionist policies, introducing the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick"; this encapsulated his approach to foreign affairs.
  • The construction of the Panama Canal is a primary focus, which opened in 1914 and marked a significant achievement in American engineering.
  • The U.S. maintained possession of the canal until 1999 when it was given back to Panama.
  • The canal remains a critical juncture for international commerce today.

Debt Concerns in Latin America

  • During Roosevelt’s term, countries in Latin America became heavily indebted to European powers like Great Britain, France, and Germany.
  • Concern for Debt: This debt raised alarms about potential European interventions in these nations akin to imperialism observed in North Africa.
  • The imperial powers’ strategy included investing in Latin American countries, and then justifying intervention by claiming to protect their economic interests.

The Venezuela Crisis

  • In 1921, the European powers imposed a blockade around Venezuela to press for debt repayments.
  • Roosevelt threatened military action against these powers to lift the blockade, asserting the U.S. would not allow Caribbean nations to fall into European control.
  • His approach successfully led to negotiations and resolutions without escalating to war.

Intervention in the Dominican Republic

  • Roosevelt intervened by sending American troops to occupy the Dominican Republic in 1922 due to its debts.
  • The U.S. took control of customs houses, effectively managing the Dominican Republic's finances to pay off debts to European powers, likening it to a parent controlling a child’s finances to prevent overwhelming debt.

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine

  • In presenting his actions to Congress, Roosevelt articulated what came to be known as the Roosevelt Corollary.
  • This corollary posited that the U.S. had a duty to intervene in Latin American nations to ensure stability and prevent foreign intervention.
  • The corollary established the U.S. as the "international police" in the Western Hemisphere.

Impact and Legacy of the Roosevelt Corollary

  • The assertion of police power led to numerous U.S. interventions in Latin America, with over 25 interventions in various crises and uprisings from the early 1900s onwards across several countries, including Panama, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
  • By the 1920s, the world viewed the U.S. as maintaining an informal empire in Latin America, where while countries remained technically independent, their economies and governments were significantly influenced by U.S. policies and interests.

Shifts in Policy under Franklin Roosevelt

  • Franklin Roosevelt later established a Good Neighbor Policy focused on less interventionist approaches, seeking to cooperate and provide assistance for economic independence in Latin America, which had mixed results but helped ease tensions.

The U.S. Engagement in Asia

  • Parallel to its involvement in Latin America, the U.S. sought to expand its influence across the Pacific, notably in East Asia with a focus on trade, particularly with China.
  • Seeking access to the Chinese market, characterized by its vast population and rich resources, U.S. interests diverged with potential conflicts with European powers.

American Interests in China

  • The vast population in China, estimated at around 1,400,000,000 in the 2020 census, made it a pivotal focus for American trade interests, especially given the perception of Chinese poverty and need for development.
  • Key products sought included tea, porcelain, and silk, but there was a broader interest in introducing American democratic values and capitalism as a means to uplift the populace.

The Open Door Policy

  • In response to fears of European powers carving up China into colonies, U.S. Secretary of State John Hay issued the Open Door Notes, which included key principles:
      1. Free and Equal Trade: All nations should have equal opportunities to trade with China.
      2. Respect for China’s Territorial Integrity: No territorial claims or colonization should occur; China must remain intact as a nation.
      3. Implicit Threat of Military Action: If these principles were not respected, the U.S. would act to protect China's independence.

Significance of Open Door Policy

  • The Open Door Policy was ultimately successful in preventing European powers from fully colonizing China and continued to guide U.S. interactions with foreign nations advocating for free trade and territorial integrity.
  • Acknowledged for its later implications during World War II, the Open Door Policy principles often resurfaced in discussions of U.S. foreign policy in the 20th century.

Conclusion and Transition to World War I

  • The importance of World War I in shaping American foreign policy and its impacts on the geopolitical landscape is acknowledged, highlighting the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo as a significant catalyst for the war.
  • A future discussion will focus on the roots of World War I and the changes it brought to international relationships, especially concerning U.S. strategies around the globe.