Roosevelt Corollary

Definition

The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine, which asserted the United States' right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European interference or control. It expanded the Monroe Doctrine's original purpose and established the U.S. as the regional hegemon in the Western Hemisphere.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Roosevelt Corollary was announced by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 and asserted the United States' right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European interference or control.
2. The Roosevelt Corollary was an expansion of the original Monroe Doctrine, which had aimed to prevent European colonization in the Americas.
3. The Roosevelt Corollary was used to justify U.S. military interventions in several Latin American countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Haiti, in the early 20th century.
4. The Roosevelt Corollary established the United States as the regional hegemon in the Western Hemisphere, solidifying its position as the dominant power in the region.
5. The Roosevelt Corollary was a key component of Roosevelt's 'Big Stick' foreign policy, which emphasized the use of military force and economic pressure to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Roosevelt Corollary was an expansion of the original Monroe Doctrine and how it impacted U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
  • The Roosevelt Corollary was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine that asserted the United States' right to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to prevent European interference or control. This expanded the original purpose of the Monroe Doctrine, which had aimed to prevent further European colonization in the Americas. The Roosevelt Corollary allowed the U.S. to justify military interventions in several Latin American countries, such as the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Haiti, in the early 20th century. This solidified the United States' position as the dominant power and regional hegemon in the Western Hemisphere, and was a key component of Roosevelt's 'Big Stick' foreign policy that emphasized the use of military force and economic pressure to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives.
• Analyze how the Roosevelt Corollary was connected to the broader context of U.S. imperialism and the desire to expand American power and influence in the early 20th century.
  • The Roosevelt Corollary was closely tied to the broader context of U.S. imperialism and the desire to expand American power and influence in the early 20th century. By asserting the right to intervene in Latin American affairs, the Roosevelt Corollary established the United States as the regional hegemon in the Western Hemisphere, allowing it to exert greater economic and political control over its neighbors. This aligned with the imperialist tendencies of the time, as the U.S. sought to extend its sphere of influence and project its power globally. The Roosevelt Corollary was a key component of the 'Big Stick' foreign policy, which emphasized the use of military force and economic pressure to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives, further demonstrating the imperialist nature of this doctrine.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Roosevelt Corollary, both in terms of its impact on U.S.-Latin American relations and its broader implications for American foreign policy and global influence.
  • The long-term consequences of the Roosevelt Corollary were significant, both in terms of its impact on U.S.-Latin American relations and its broader implications for American foreign policy and global influence. The corollary's assertion of the U.S. right to intervene in Latin American affairs led to numerous military interventions in the region, often in support of American economic and political interests. This damaged relations with many Latin American countries and fueled resentment towards the United States, undermining its soft power and reputation in the region. Additionally, the Roosevelt Corollary reinforced the imperialist tendencies of U.S. foreign policy, setting a precedent for the use of military force to maintain American hegemony. This had far-reaching consequences, contributing to the perception of the U.S. as an overbearing global power and shaping its role in international affairs for decades to come.

Related terms

Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine was a foreign policy statement made by President James Monroe in 1823, which declared that further efforts by European nations to colonize or interfere with states in the Americas would be viewed as acts of aggression requiring U.S. intervention.

Imperialism: Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often by establishing economic and political control over other areas.

Sphere of Influence: A sphere of influence is an area or region over which a state or organization has significant cultural, economic, or political influence.