Question

7\. After the United States won the Spanish-American War in 1898 , President Teddy Roosevelt began taking a more aggressive approach to his foreign policy regarding the countries in Latin America. In an effort to extend U.S. influence in the area, (A) the U.S. adopted a more laid-back attitude toward its involvement in Latin America. (B) Panama forced the U.S. to build a canal across the region. (C) the U.S. exerted its force and growing influence in Latin America by "persuading" Panama to let it build the Panama Canal. (D) the U.S. negotiated successfully with Columbia for access to build a canal across Columbia.

Short answer

(C) the U.S. exerted its force and growing influence in Latin America by "persuading" Panama to let it build the Panama Canal.

Step-by-step solution

Rule out Irrelevant Choices

In the first step, disregard the options which clearly do not align with Teddy Roosevelt's aggressive approach to Latin America. (A) Defintely does not reflect this mentality, as it describes a 'laid-back' attitude, which is the opposite of an aggressive approach. So, option (A) can be eliminated.

Identify Key Information from Options

Option (B) claims that Panama forced the U.S. to build a canal, but historically it's known that the U.S. was interested in creating a quicker passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – so this option can also be ruled out.

Assess Remaining Options

This leaves options (C) and (D). We now have to decide whether the U.S. persuaded Panama directly for the canal's construction, or whether it negotiated with Colombia. Given that Panama was part of Colombia until 1903, it is important to consider this fact. However, the United States first signed a treaty with Colombia, which was later rejected by the Colombian government. Then, the United States supported Panama's independence movement and subsequently signed a treaty with the new Panamanian government for the canal's construction.

Making the Final Choice

This leads us to conclude that while the U.S. did initially attempt to negotiate with Colombia, it eventually "persuaded" Panama to let it build the Panama Canal as per option (C). So, the best answer is (C) the U.S. exerted its force and growing influence in Latin America by "persuading" Panama to let it build the Panama Canal.

Key concepts

Spanish-American War

The Spanish-American War, a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, marked a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy and the nation's status as an emerging global power. Sparked by factors such as the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor and American support for the Cuban struggle for independence, the war led to a decisive American victory and the Treaty of Paris. As a result, the U.S. gained territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, projecting American influence far beyond its previous borders.

Understanding this war is crucial because it laid the groundwork for the subsequent policies and actions of the United States in the Caribbean and the Pacific. It also fostered an era of American imperialism and expansionism that would shape the country's foreign relations and military engagements for years to come.

Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy was famously encapsulated in the phrase 'speak softly and carry a big stick.' This approach advocated for negotiating peacefully while also showing strength through military might. Roosevelt's policy was proactive and assertive, reflecting America's growing confidence as a world power. He believed in the U.S. taking a leading role on the international stage, intervening in conflicts, and using its influence to advance American interests.

Roosevelt's approach was especially evident in Latin America, where he sought to stabilize the region under U.S. guidance to prevent European powers from gaining a foothold. The Panama Canal project was a classic example of his policy in action, as he believed the canal would be vital for strategic and commercial purposes, facilitating a strong American naval presence and faster trade routes.

Panama Canal History

The history of the Panama Canal is a narrative of engineering prowess, political maneuvering, and a significant shift in international trade patterns. Following the failure of a French venture to construct a canal through Panama in the late 19th century, the United States took on the project as part of its ambition to create a naval shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The canal's construction involved overcoming monumental health, engineering, and logistic challenges. It was embroiled in political controversy, notably surrounding the support of Panamanian independence from Colombia by the U.S. After a failed treaty with Colombia, the U.S. helped Panama gain independence in 1903 and subsequently secured the rights to build and manage the canal in perpetuity. The canal was completed in 1914 and has since been a critical artery for global maritime trade.