The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine that stated the United States would intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and protect its economic interests.
The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, following Venezuela's crisis with European creditors. It emerged during an era of increasing U.S. involvement in Latin America and reflected the assertive foreign policy stance that characterized Roosevelt's presidency. The Corollary established that the United States would intervene in conflicts between European countries and Latin American nations to enforce legitimate claims of European powers, rather than allowing Europeans to press their claims directly.
The Roosevelt Corollary had significant implications for U.S.-Latin American relations, justifying American intervention throughout the hemisphere. It expanded the Monroe Doctrine's scope and signaled a shift from a passive policy of avoiding entanglements to an active role in regional affairs. This policy paved the way for numerous U.S. interventions in Latin America and established the United States as a 'policeman' in the Western Hemisphere, influencing inter-American relations well into the 20th century.