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Primary Document #1: The Open Door Notes (Policy)
By the late 19th century, Japan and the European powers had carved much of China into separate spheres of influence, inside of which each held economic dominance. The U.S., coming late to imperialism, held no sphere of influence in China. In 1899 U.S. Secretary of State John Hay proposed an "Open Door" policy in China in which all nations would have equal trading and development rights throughout all of China. Such a policy would put all the imperialist powers on equal footing in China and would limit the advantages of having one’s own sphere of influence. As you read, think about how the Open Door policy might be seen as noble and fair, and think about how it also reflects American political and economic self-interest.
Document A: The Open Door Notes (Policy)
Earnestly desirous to remove any cause of irritation and to insure at the same time to the commerce of all nations in China... [the United States urges all nations claiming a sphere of influence in China to declare] that [all nations] shall enjoy perfect equality of treatment for their commerce and navigation within such spheres.... We adhere to the policy... of peace with the Chinese nation, of furtherance of lawful commerce, and of protection of lives and property of our citizens by all means.... The policy of the Government of the United States is to seek a solution which may bring about permanent safety and peace to China, preserve Chinese territorial and administrative entity, protect all rights guaranteed to friendly powers by treaty and international law, and safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire. -John Hay, U.S. Secretary of State, 1899
Primary Source Document #2: "The Roosevelt Corollary"
to the Monroe Doctrine
In 1904 the government of the Dominican Republic went bankrupt and Theodore Roosevelt feared that Germany and other nations might intervene forcibly to collect their debts. In response, Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary (to the Monroe Doctrine) as part of a 1904 message to Congress. Roosevelt and later U.S. presidents cited the corollary to justify U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico and Haiti. As you read, think about how this policy impacted American relations with the nations of the Western Hemisphere. Also, consider how this policy might be seen as an extension of the Monroe Doctrine.
Document A: The Roosevelt Corollary "It is not true that the United States feels any land hunger or entertains any projects as regards the other nations of the Western Hemisphere save such as are for their welfare. All that this country desires is to see the neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous... If a nation shows that it knows how to act with reasonable efficiency and decency in social and political matters, if it keeps order and pays its obligations, it need fear no interference from the United States. Chronic wrongdoing, [however,]... may... ultimately require intervention by some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly..., to the exercise of an international police power... -President Theodore Roosevelt, December 6, 1904
Document B
"I have always been fond of the West African proverb: 'Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.'" -Theodore Roosevelt
Primary Source Document # 4 : Woodrow Wilson's
"Moral Diplomacy"
Wilson disliked the assertive policies of Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. He advocated "moral diplomacy" (a policy that made the U.S. the conscience of the world). He hoped to spread democracy, condemn colonialism, and promote peace. While he pledged to limit American interventions in Latin America, he ended up intervening more than any previous President, deploying troops to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Mexico.
Document A: "Moral Diplomacy"
"These States lying to the south of us, which have always been our neighbors, will now be drawn closer to us by innumerable ties, and I hope, chief of all, by the tie of a common understanding of each other. Interest does not tie nations together; it sometimes separates them. But sympathy and understanding does unite them[.] ...We must prove ourselves their friends and champions upon the terms of equality and honor... We must show ourselves friends by comprehending their interest, whether it squares with our own interest or not. It is a very perilous thing to determine the foreign policy of a nation in the terms of material interest. It not only is unfair to those with whom you are dealing, but it is degrading as regards your own actions." -President Woodrow Wilson, 1913
Primary Source Document #5: Franklin D. Roosevelt:
The Good
Neighbor
Policy
Three decades of strained relations with the Latin-American countries were reversed during the Hoover administration, largely through the work of Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson. President Roosevelt, who later named Stimson his secretary of war, resolved to continue the policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of Latin America and seeking alliances there. In an address at Chautauqua, New York, on August 14, 1936, part of which is reprinted here, the President explained his "Good Neighbor Policy."
Document A: The Good Neighbor Policy
"...In the field of world policy I would dedicate this nation to the policy of the good neighbor--the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others--the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in and with a world of neighbors... The American republics to the south of us have been ready always to cooperate with the United States on a basis of equality and mutual respect, but before we inaugurated the good-neighbor policy there was among them resentment and fear because certain administrations in Washington had slighted their national pride and their sovereign rights..." -President Franklin D. Roosevelt, August 14, 1936
William Howard Taft’s “Dollar Diplomacy” Main idea summary Best supporting evidence
Woodrow Wilson’s “Moral Diplomacy” Main idea summary Best supporting evidence
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Good Neighbor Policy Main idea summary Best supporting evidence
