☰ Contents · World history

The foreign policy of the USA

Lessons 16 · 1 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
16

The foreign policy of the USA

Textbook: pp. 55–58
GoalExplain the directions of US foreign policy: Pan-Americanism, the war of 1898, the Panama Canal, the “big stick”, “dollar diplomacy” and the “Open Door” doctrine.
New words
Monroe Doctrine: «America for the Americans» principle against European interference in the Americas · Monro doktrinasi“big stick”: Theodore Roosevelt’s policy of readiness to use force in the Western Hemisphere · «yo‘g‘on kaltak»“dollar diplomacy”: using loans and investment to extend US influence · «dollar diplomatiyasi»diplomatic note: an official written message from one state to another · nota
Explanation

At the end of the 19th century the USA turned its attention to Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. In 1889 the first Pan-American Conference met in Washington; on the basis of the Monroe Doctrine (“America for the Americans”) the USA strengthened its influence in the Western Hemisphere, gaining part of Samoa and, in 1898, Hawaii. In 1898 after a US warship exploded off the coast of Cuba (the cause is disputed), Congress began a war against Spain, which lasted a few months. Under the Treaty of Paris of 10 December 1898 Spain gave up Puerto Rico and Guam, the Philippines passed to the USA for $20 million, and Cuba became formally independent but remained under US control. In 1903 Panama separated from Colombia and declared independence, the USA recognised it and obtained the right to build a canal; the Panama Canal opened in 1914 and greatly shortened the sea route between the Atlantic and the Pacific. T. Roosevelt extended the Monroe Doctrine, saying the USA might act as an “international police power” (the “big stick”), while Taft strengthened influence through loans (“dollar diplomacy”). In 1899 Secretary of State Hay sent the “Open Door” notes on China, asking that all states have equal trading opportunities.

Worked examples
Chain of events: ship explosion off Cuba (1898) → declaration of war → Treaty of Paris (10 Dec 1898) → Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines pass to the USA.
Importance of the Panama Canal: the sea route from New York to San Francisco became much shorter than going round South America – useful for trade and the navy.
Class activity

“On the map”: locate Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, Hawaii, the Philippines and Guam and note how each came under US influence.

Practice
1
When was the Treaty of Paris signed and what did the USA gain?
2
When was the Panama Canal completed?
3
What did the “Open Door” doctrine demand?
4
What is the difference between “big stick” and “dollar diplomacy”?