
Big Stick diplomacy is the policy of carefully mediated negotiation ("speaking softly") supported by the unspoken threat of a powerful military ("big stick"). The Great White Fleet
Great White Fleet
The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the powerful United States Navy battle fleet that completed a journey around the globe from 16 December 1907, to 22 February 1909, by order of United States President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries, while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world.
What is the big stick diplomacy?
Big Stick diplomacy is the policy of carefully mediated negotiation ("speaking softly") supported by the unspoken threat of a powerful military ("big stick").
What was the cause of the big stick policy?
Roosevelt believed that while the coercive power wielded by the United States could be harmful in the wrong hands, the Western Hemisphere's best interests were also the best interests of the United States. He felt, in short, that the United States had the right and the obligation to be the policeman of the hemisphere.
When was big stick diplomacy used?
President Theodore Roosevelt's assertive approach to Latin America and the Caribbean has often been characterized as the “Big Stick,” and his policy came to be known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.
Which region was most affected by the big stick policy?
Much Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" policy was exercised within Latin America and has its manifestations in the Roosevelt Corollary. It states that the United States can intervene in Latin American affairs to ensure that all nations in the Western Hemisphere uphold and honor their debts to international creditors.
What was the big stick policy quizlet?
Diplomatic policy developed by Roosevelt where the "big stick" symbolizes his power and readiness to use military force if necessary. It is a way of intimidating countries without actually harming them and was the basis of U.S. imperialistic foreign policy.
How did Theodore Roosevelt's big stick policy differ?
How did President Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick policy differ from Dollar Diplomacy and Moral Diplomacy? It emphasized US military strength. Which action shows that President Theodore Roosevelt did not always rely on military force in foreign policy? He negotiated the Treaty of Portsmouth.
How was big stick policy used in Latin America?
"Big Stick Policy" was a phrase attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909), who described his guiding philosophy in dealing with Latin America as "Speak softly and carry a big stick." More than any U.S. leader, Roosevelt argued that forceful diplomatic policies and occasional landings of U.S. troops were ...
Why did Roosevelt say walk softly and carry a big stick?
Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" signified that the U.S. would negotiate peacefully but maintain strength to exert when needed.
Definition of Big Stick Diplomacy
Noun 1. The ideology that the nation should negotiate for peace, while maintaining a threat of enforcement by military action. Origin1900 Letter fr...
What Is Big Stick Diplomacy
The idea of big stick diplomacy in the U.S. has its origin with President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s attitude at the time was that the...
Big Stick Diplomacy Example in Union Negotiations
In the burgeoning 20th century, coal mining was the source of raw materials used to provide power and heat to the entire country, as well as jobs f...
Related Legal Terms and Issues
1. Diplomacy – The skill or profession of managing international relations; the conduct of negotiations and relations between nations by government...
What is big stick diplomacy?
Okay, so you should have a good idea of what Big Stick Diplomacy is and a few examples of it. You need to know that it was a practice of negotiation in which Theodore Roosevelt approached negotiations peacefully, while also not being afraid to use military force to enforce his negotiations. You should also know that it was relatively controversial because it often involved America taking part in aspects of foreign affairs where they didn’t really belong. Lastly, it led the way for William Howard Taft’s less successful Dollar Diplomacy.
What was Roosevelt's policy of speaking softly?
As an example of his “speak softly” philosophy, Roosevelt refrained from using military force to break up strikes, even though that was a common practice by previous governments. Instead, when a bunch of mine workers went on strike, he decided to have a meeting with some of the mining company’s leaders to negotiate a deal. Their negotiations ended up not being able to resolve the issue, and Roosevelt went on to use the military. However, instead of forcefully breaking the strike, he used the military to manage the mines, which essentially put mining companies out of work. The mining companies proceeded to give in and the strike came to a close. This was one of the first examples of Theodore Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy, just on a domestic scale.
Why did Roosevelt want the blockade to end?
He denounced the blockade and asked for it to be ended. He felt that it was important to protect the interests of smaller countries and allowing them to function on their own, as they needed to. To back up his request for the end of the blockade, he created a naval presence near Cuba. Just for enforcement purposes.
Why did the US build the Panama Canal?
If ever there was a time where the US stuck their nose when it didn’t belong to further their own interests , it was during the construction of the Panama Canal. America wanted to build the canal as a way of expanding their market, as having a way for ships to navigate through Central America would be very beneficial economically. Columbia and France had companies that were to oversee construction of the canal, and knowing the importance of it to the U.S., they raised their prices. Instead of using direct military force, America instead engineered a revolution in Panama, encouraging them to break away from Columbia. America also funded much of that endeavor, which scored them permanent access to the canal and cheaper rates of construction. This was once again a key example of exerting Big Stick Diplomacy. This time, instead of military force, Roosevelt used America’s economic firepower to manipulate Panama into breaking from Columbia.
What does "negotiating" mean?
Definition: A method of negotiating where it is approached peacefully, but recognizing the possible need for force. Specifically used in reference to American foreign affairs during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
What is Albert.io?
Albert.io offers the best practice questions for high-stakes exams and core courses spanning grades 6-12. For over five years, hundreds of thousands of students have used Albert to build confidence and score better on their SAT®, ACT®, AP, and Common Core tests. If you're an educator interested in trying Albert, click the button below to learn about our pilot program.
Who coined the phrase "speak softly and carry a big stick"?
Theodore Roosevelt apparently coined the phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” which pretty accurately summarizes the foreign affair policy of Big Stick Diplomacy, in 1901. It would go on to pretty accurately summarize his actions while in office. During the presidency of William McKinley, there was some early tension between American economic markets and foreign markets. Tension was building under McKinley’s presidency. When he was assassinated in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt was ready to step in and fill the void. He came prepared with his Big Stick Diplomacy.
Who was the first president to use the Big Stick Diplomacy?
What is Big Stick Diplomacy. The idea of big stick diplomacy in the U.S. has its origin with President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Roosevelt’s attitude at the time was that the United States has a right to police other nations in the Western Hemisphere, and that those nations have no right to cause turmoil or unrest in America.
What is the difference between big stick diplomacy and dollar diplomacy?
While big stick diplomacy still has its place in U.S. diplomatic relations, it has been largely replaced by “dollar diplomacy,” in which the U.S. attempts to encourage cooperation by dangling a carrot, rather than threatening with a big stick . The “carrot” in modern diplomatic relations comes in the form of private and commercial investment, financial aid, food subsidies, and trade agreements. In using dollar diplomacy, the penalty for breaching the agreement is usually the withdrawal of the financial or other aid that had been given.
What is gunboat diplomacy?
Gunboat diplomacy is the international equivalent to the U.S.’ big stick ideology. It refers to the quest for peace through diplomacy, while brandishing a force of naval power capable of enforcing the terms of any agreement made. Gunboat diplomacy and big stick diplomacy are considered by some to be forms of supremacy and domination.
What was Roosevelt's policy of negotiating with other nations?
While Roosevelt engaged in a policy of engaging in negotiations with other nations using diplomatic poise , the nation’s interests were backed by military might. Roosevelt understood that diplomacy and negotiations were needed to keep the peace, but also understood that, without a solid ability to enforce the country’s wishes and security, the U.S. would have no leg to stand on.
What was Taft's goal in diplomacy?
A primary goal of dollar diplomacy is to block the attempts of foreign powers to gain a significant foothold in key markets.
What is the term for an organized stoppage or slowdown of work by laborers to force their employer to accept their?
Labor Strike – An organized stoppage or slowdown of work by laborers to force their employer to accept their demands for better conditions or higher wages.
Who was responsible for using dollar diplomacy to spread U.S. influence and control throughout the world?
In using dollar diplomacy, the penalty for breaching the agreement is usually the withdrawal of the financial or other aid that had been given. William Howard Taft took over the Presidency from Roosevelt in 1908. Taft was responsible for using dollar diplomacy to spread U.S. influence and control throughout the world.
What is the Big Stick Diplomacy?
Big Stick diplomacy is the policy of carefully mediate d negotiation ("speaking softly") supported by the unspoken threat of a powerful military ("big stick"). The Great White Fleet, a group of American warship s that tour ed the world in a show of peaceful strength, is the leading example of Big Stick diplomacy during Roosevelt’s presidency.
How did President Roosevelt use Big Stick diplomacy?
He brokered an agreement for an American-led canal through Panama, expand ed American influence in Cuba, and negotiate d a peace treaty between Russia and Japan. For this, Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906.
What did Roosevelt say in his speech at the Minnesota State Fair?
On September 2, 1901, United States Vice President Theodore Roosevelt outline d his ideal foreign policy in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights, Minnesota: “Speak softly, and carry a big stick.”.
What is the award for fraternity between nations?
award recognizing the contributions of a person or organization to "work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace."

The Quick Details
Background
- Theodore Roosevelt apparently coined the phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” which pretty accurately summarizes the foreign affair policy of Big Stick Diplomacy, in 1901. It would go on to pretty accurately summarize his actions while in office. During the presidency of William McKinley, there was some early tension between American econom...
Then What?
- It did not take very much time into Roosevelt’s term for him to put his policy into action. As an example of his “speak softly” philosophy, Roosevelt refrained from using military force to break up strikes, even though that was a common practice by previous governments. Instead, when a bunch of mine workers went on strike, he decided to have a meeting with some of the mining co…
Latin America
- In Venezuela, as a result of previous tensions with Britain and Germany, a blockade by these two forces was put into action. Although this conflict did not directly affect the U.S., Roosevelt went ahead and got involved. He denounced the blockade and asked for it to be ended. He felt that it was important to protect the interests of smaller countries and allowing them to function on their …
The Panama Canal
- If ever there was a time where the US stuck their nose when it didn’t belong to further their own interests, it was during the construction of the Panama Canal. America wanted to build the canal as a way of expanding their market, as having a way for ships to navigate through Central America would be very beneficial economically. Columbia and France had companies that were …
Cuba
- During the time of Roosevelt’s presidency, relations with Cuba went through a couple of different amendments. Originally, Cuba had a Teller Amendment in place, which basically restricted any powers of autonomy and greatly limited their jurisdiction. This evolved to the Platt Amendment, which not only restricted Cuba’s rights to self rule even more, but also gave America more estab…
Wrapping Up Big Stick Diplomacy and AP® Us History
- Okay, so you should have a good idea of what Big Stick Diplomacy is and a few examples of it. You need to know that it was a practice of negotiation in which Theodore Roosevelt approached negotiations peacefully, while also not being afraid to use military force to enforce his negotiations. You should also know that it was relatively controversial because it often involved America takin…