What were the assumptions underlying the roosevelt corollary? how did the doctrine affect u.s. relations with european nations and those in the western hemisphere?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The Roosevelt Corollary, announced by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. Its underlying assumptions included the belief that the United States had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European intervention. Roosevelt assumed that instability in the Western Hemisphere could lead to European powers reasserting control, which the U.S. sought to avoid.
The doctrine fundamentally shifted U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere, asserting that the U.S. would act as an “international police power.” This assumption reflected a paternalistic view of Latin America, suggesting that countries in the region were incapable of self-governance and needed U.S. oversight. The Corollary was a response to European interventions, particularly in cases of debt collection, where Roosevelt believed that a strong U.S. presence could deter European powers from exploiting vulnerable nations.
The impact on U.S. relations with European nations was significant. While the Corollary aimed to deter European involvement, it also heightened tensions. European nations were wary of U.S. assertions of authority, leading to a more isolationist stance from some. However, the U.S. was often able to leverage the Corollary to justify interventions, effectively limiting European influence in Latin America.
In the Western Hemisphere, the Corollary established a precedent for U.S. intervention. This often resulted in military interventions in countries like the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, fostering resentment among Latin American nations. While it aimed to protect them from European powers, it simultaneously reinforced the perception of U.S. imperialism, leading to long-term complications in U.S.-Latin American relations. Overall, the Roosevelt Corollary marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, reinforcing a dominant American presence in the Western Hemisphere while complicating international relations.