Teddy Roosevelt, Dollar Diplomacy, and U.S. Foreign Policy

Question 1

Dollar Diplomacy

Answer 1

Dollar diplomacy, a foreign policy strategy prominent in the early 20th century, was closely associated with President Theodore Roosevelt and his successor, William Howard Taft. Teddy Roosevelt laid the foundation for the concept by combining military and economic intervention in Latin America, using American influence to maintain stability and prevent European interference. The term “dollar diplomacy” became more explicit during Taft’s administration (1909-1913), where economic instruments, such as loans and investments, were strategically employed to advance U.S. political interests globally. This policy aimed to encourage American businesses abroad while promoting stability, but it faced criticism for prioritizing corporate interests over democratic ideals. Despite differing in approach, both Roosevelt and Taft contributed to the development and implementation of dollar diplomacy as part of U.S. foreign policy in the early 20th century.

Question 2

Detente

Answer 2

Détente was a significant aspect of the foreign policy pursued by U.S. President Richard Nixon and his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, during the early 1970s. Seeking to reduce Cold War tensions, Nixon and Kissinger engaged in diplomatic initiatives with both the Soviet Union and China. Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972 marked a groundbreaking moment in Sino-American relations and contributed to a shift in the global balance of power. Simultaneously, strategic arms control agreements were pursued with the Soviet Union, leading to the signing of the SALT I treaty. These efforts, along with other diplomatic initiatives, exemplified a pragmatic approach to international relations, emphasizing realpolitik and the pursuit of national interests. While detente faced challenges and did not eliminate Cold War rivalries, it represented a significant attempt to ease global tensions during a critical period of the Cold War.