Chapter 18-4: Critical Thinking # 3

What do you think were the similarities and differences between Roosevelt's Big Stick policy and Wilson's missionary diplomacy? Use evidence from the text to support your response. Think About:

• the goal of each of these foreign policies
• how the policies defined the role of U.S. intervention in international affairs
• how the policies were applied

Roosevelt's Big Stick policy stood for how Roosevelt threatened violence among the countries to gain authority in the Caribbean and Central America. Roosevelt was so determined to make the United States the predominant power of each region (p.568). He quoted, "Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far" (p.568) While Roosevelt used the "Big Stick" policy, Wilson used something called "missionary diplomacy". Wilson's "missionary diplomacy" stated that "the United States had a moral responsibility to deny recognition to any Latin American government it viewed oppressive, undemocratic or hostile to U.S. interests" (p.559). Wilson's policy pressured nations into the West to develop democratic governments. In the end, Roosevelt and Wilson had different tactics, but their goals were the same; determined to make the United States the predominant power in the Caribbean and Central America.