What do you think were the similarities and differences between Roosevelt's Big Stick policy and Wilson's missionary diplomacy?
President Roosevelt's "Big Stick" policy was meant as a reminder for the Monroe Doctrine, which forced European countries to stay out of affairs of the western Hemisphere, including Latin American countries. in his message to congress not long afterward, he added to the Monroe Doctrine. The piece he added was called the Roosevelt Corollary, which said that the United States would now use force to protect its economic interests in Latin America.(568)
When Woodrow Wilson came into office, he had a different interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which urged him to created the "missionary diplomacy," which gave the United States right to deny recognition to any Latin American countries that seamed oppressive, undemocratic or hostile to our country. This is pretty much the opposite of what Roosevelt would have wanted. (569)
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In your opinion, should the United States have become involved in the affairs of Columbia, Nicaragua and Mexico during the early 1900s?
Because of the Roosevelt Corollary, President Taft, following Roosevelt's term, was forced to aid a bankrupt Nicaragua. In return, they gave US bankers control over their state owned railroad and its national bank. Also, thanks to the Dollar Diplomacy, we were able to reinforce the ability to keep European power out of the Caribbean and the rest of Latin America. In, my opinion, its great that we were able to help foreign countries, but President Roosevelt was using it as a excuse for controlling their economy, which is the completely wrong reason for it.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Current Event Summary #3
In the South African region of the world, Zimbabwe wasn't the only country making foreign policy news in the first weeks of October. In Botswana, the World Travel and Tourism Council told the countries officials that their tourism rates would increase about seven percent. it also warned them about capital investment rising at a dangerously fast rate than "forecast since major airport upgrades planned ahead the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa."In the same week German Chancellor of Berlin,Angela Merkel discusses the issues of Zimbabwe's economy with other officials from the region such as South Africa's Thabo Mbeki. During the Summit, they will discuss things such as Robert Mugabe's abuse of human rights and his grip on the countries economy, "which has the world's highest inflation rate of about 6,000% and unemployment levels of about 80%," in the aftermath is it's collapse.
About a week later, four foreigners made their way into South Africa, apparently smuggling cigarettes into the country. later captured by the Limpopo police, the criminals were suspected to be from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. The police also found 48 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes and there were possibly more inside a truck, that unfortunately fled the area. On Friday the 12th, Presidents of Botswana, and South Africa officially opened the tourist facility located between South Africa and Namibia within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This park is Africa's first whose "main feature is the uninterrupted contiguity of flora and fauna between Botswana and South Africa, which was opened seven years ago."
A south African consortium offered to invest $29 million in a 106-year-old Kenya-Uganda Railway. The consortium is sure that the investment from the East African Community, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, "and the creation of a customs union which opened up markets for 90 million people." In even more South African and Zimbabwean news, A 40 year old, South African Businessman named Douglas McCallum was arrested by Zimbabwean police trying to smuggle three rifles and more than 100 rounds of ammunition out of the country. After having discovered more weaponry in his luggage, McCallum is due to go on trial on Thursday the 25th of October.
About a week later, four foreigners made their way into South Africa, apparently smuggling cigarettes into the country. later captured by the Limpopo police, the criminals were suspected to be from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. The police also found 48 boxes of counterfeit cigarettes and there were possibly more inside a truck, that unfortunately fled the area. On Friday the 12th, Presidents of Botswana, and South Africa officially opened the tourist facility located between South Africa and Namibia within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This park is Africa's first whose "main feature is the uninterrupted contiguity of flora and fauna between Botswana and South Africa, which was opened seven years ago."
A south African consortium offered to invest $29 million in a 106-year-old Kenya-Uganda Railway. The consortium is sure that the investment from the East African Community, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, "and the creation of a customs union which opened up markets for 90 million people." In even more South African and Zimbabwean news, A 40 year old, South African Businessman named Douglas McCallum was arrested by Zimbabwean police trying to smuggle three rifles and more than 100 rounds of ammunition out of the country. After having discovered more weaponry in his luggage, McCallum is due to go on trial on Thursday the 25th of October.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
18-3 Critical Thinking #s 3 & 4
How did American rule of Puerto Rico harm Puerto Ricans? How did it help them? Do you think the benefits outweighed the harmful effects? Why or Why not?
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became a temporarily owned by the United States. This worried some Puerto Ricans who feared that they would not have the freedom that Spain had given them. Some took the route of being a vocal advocate and tried to get Puerto Rico the self rule it deserved. However, our rule over the country helped some of the Puerto Ricans who wanted statehood. Although there were two groups of Puerto Ricans, there one group was affected the country's statehood. The US definitely caused more harm than benefits to the country. This was due to the fact that our military was in control of the area. Not to mention that, whether the Puerto Ricans wanted independence or statehood, the US wasn't going to help with either, but simply use the island as a strategic spot for their troops to patrol the coast. (558-559)
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How was U.S. policy toward China different from U.S. policy toward the Philippines? To what can you attribute the difference?
In the Philippines, there were some issues with revolt. Therefore, America, as well as Spain played to role of enforcing the law against the rebelling colonies fighting for freedom. Once they finished "suppressing the rebellion" they took control of the Filipino islands as they did with Puerto Rico. However, the Philippines actually earned independence 47 years later.(561)
The situation with China was quite different however. Instead of us helping stop a rebellion, we caused one. America saw the occupation of the Philippines as a "door" to the rest of Asia to sell their products to: namely China. Hoping China doesn't loose interest in the American products in their market, the US tried to address letters to the leaders of the nation, but at the same time not create a Monopoly. However, with European Countries controlling China's main cities, the Chinese started something called "the Boxer Rebellion" on the controlling countries such as Britain, France and Germany. After the rebellion, John Hay created another "open door note" which announced that America would "safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire."(562-563)
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became a temporarily owned by the United States. This worried some Puerto Ricans who feared that they would not have the freedom that Spain had given them. Some took the route of being a vocal advocate and tried to get Puerto Rico the self rule it deserved. However, our rule over the country helped some of the Puerto Ricans who wanted statehood. Although there were two groups of Puerto Ricans, there one group was affected the country's statehood. The US definitely caused more harm than benefits to the country. This was due to the fact that our military was in control of the area. Not to mention that, whether the Puerto Ricans wanted independence or statehood, the US wasn't going to help with either, but simply use the island as a strategic spot for their troops to patrol the coast. (558-559)
_________________________________________________
How was U.S. policy toward China different from U.S. policy toward the Philippines? To what can you attribute the difference?
In the Philippines, there were some issues with revolt. Therefore, America, as well as Spain played to role of enforcing the law against the rebelling colonies fighting for freedom. Once they finished "suppressing the rebellion" they took control of the Filipino islands as they did with Puerto Rico. However, the Philippines actually earned independence 47 years later.(561)
The situation with China was quite different however. Instead of us helping stop a rebellion, we caused one. America saw the occupation of the Philippines as a "door" to the rest of Asia to sell their products to: namely China. Hoping China doesn't loose interest in the American products in their market, the US tried to address letters to the leaders of the nation, but at the same time not create a Monopoly. However, with European Countries controlling China's main cities, the Chinese started something called "the Boxer Rebellion" on the controlling countries such as Britain, France and Germany. After the rebellion, John Hay created another "open door note" which announced that America would "safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire."(562-563)
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