Teddy Roosevelt and Foreign Policy

Roosevelt believed that the U.S. had the right to get involved in the business of other countries in Latin America.

For example, Roosevelt sent a warship to help Panama win their freedom from Columbia.

Big Stick Diplomacy

JUDGE MAGAZINE, 1905

The U.S. wanted to build a canal through Panama to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The canal would make ship travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans shorter.

In 1904, the U.S. began building the canal and finished it in 1914.

After becoming president, Theodore Roosevelt wanted to complete the canal the French had started.
The nation of Colombia controlled Panama.
In 1903, President Roosevelt attempted to negotiate a construction agreement with Colombia, but they refused. Roosevelt urged Panama’s citizens to revolt, and sent warships to
Panama City to support the independence movement.

Colombia backed down within hours, and the nation of Panama was born. The 50-mile long canal was completed
in 1914.

Roosevelt operates steam
shovel during visit, 1906

The digging of the Panama canal in 1910

WHY BUILD A CANAL?

To cross the Panama Canal, ships must be raised 85 feet above sea level, and then
lowered back down as they near the other side. This is accomplished with the use of
locks. Locks have huge steel gates on both sides that can be opened and closed. Once
a ship is inside the lock, the water can be raised or lowered. There are twelve pairs of
locks in the Panama Canal and each one holds 52 million gallons of water. It takes
ships 8-10 hours to cross the 51 mile long canal

THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

This is a common nickname for United States 16 Navy ships, which toured the

world.

Teddy Roosevelt ordered the ships to complete this voyage to flex Americas

muscle.

Considered one of the greatest peacetime achievements of the US Navy