U.S. Moralism and Reform – Domestic Progressives and Foreign Imperialism,
1900-1920s
Progressives and U.S. Foreign Policy
“We are seeking to counsel Mexico for its own good.” President Woodrow Wilson
rise of T. Roosevelt – typical progressive (except aristocratic birth)
elite economic interests, politicians and foreign policy
Taft’s dollar diplomacy vs. Roosevelt strategic interests vs. Woodrow Wilson’s moralism
U.S. Imperialism – World Policemen or World Bullies?
Question for U.S. politicians in Progressive era: what are the international responsibilities of a super power?1
(Remember: war is expensive, expands the powers of the federal govt, costs lives)
U.S. foreign policy – Short History through WWI

Policy precedents were Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny; leads to Roosevelt Corollary
(not a treaty, but a unilateral decision by Pres Roosevelt – not American govt; reaction to European
colonialism in Europe)
Roosevelt Corollary:
1. U.S. acts as the policeman and international organizing power for this hemisphere
remains guiding policy of U.S. policy through WWII (and, a factor in U.S. policy today)
implicit, but firm: tacit agreement that U.S. would stay out of European international
affairs
2. Establishes U.S. as hemispheric power that prevents any European interference in Latin America
Interpretations of Roosevelt Corollary Differed
 T.R. improves U.S. strategic power (expansion of Navy, new canal)2
 Taft’s “dollar diplomacy” – U.S. govt acts internationally to protect U.S. economic interests
o Two military invasions of Nicaragua in 1911, 1920s for U.S. companies
 Wilson – U.S. has a moral/ethical responsibility to teach other countries “our” values (Protestant
Christianity, International and Social Darwinism; value of “hard work,” fiscal responsibility
o Example: “We are seeking to counsel Mexico for its own good.” President Woodrow
Wilson
3. Makes U.S. govt as unrestricted right to regulate Caribbean affairs
Example: U.S. as major power in organizing Venezuela’s repayment to English
 U.S. acts as debt collection and power between U.S. and Europe)
“Small states are of the past and have no future . . . The great nations are rapidly absorbing for their
future expansion and their present defense all the waste places of the earth. It is a movement which
makes for civilization and the advancement of the race. As one of the great nations of the world, the
United States must not fall out of the line of march (Henry Cabot Lodge, “Our Blundering Foreign Policy,
1895).”
1
Remember: Most Americans do not support war. They see it as costly, unnecessary and as a last resort. This
puts them at odds with their own government at home.
2
NOTE: T.R.’s success diplomatically is his willingness to try various strategies internationally, including war,
economic pressure, etc. His maxim for diplomacy was a West African proverb: “Speak softly and carry a big
stick.”
Cases of Progressives Internationally:
Cuba: proximity to Florida makes Cuba a different – and most extreme case - than most of Latin America
like Mexico, but small island – size, isolation as island dramatically affects pols and relation with U.S.
“yellow press”;;
Platt Amendment in Cuban Constitution - U.S. can intervene in Cuban politics if disagree with
Cuban internal disorder or another power tries to take over the island
Industrial elite like Henry Ford opposed this war; wealthy do not necessarily establish foreign
policy
Panama Canal: Roosevelt’s legacy – huge technological, manpower success; malaria; 1914
Roosevelt considers outright military taking of territory from Colombia,
but instead use covert military and political support for Columbians who rebelled and
created the new nation of Panama
earns the U.S. the distrust of most Latin American nations
Mexico: importance of the frontier for Mexican revolutionaries;
Mexican Revolution as first social revolution in 20th century
-Pershing chased Pancho Villa during Revolution - carrying one of their cars through the sand
(sovereignty of the border, 1916; total failure agS guerillas)
-Woodrow Wilson in Vera Cruz, 1914 (manip the Rev – self-determination?)
Philippines: national security – justifiable violence? mass rebellion after “liberation”
Backlash: Developing Countries Against U.S. Imperialism
we live in this backlash today