Explain the difference between Teddy Roosevelt, Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson's view on Diplomacy.
To understand the differences between Teddy Roosevelt, Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson's views on diplomacy, we need to look into their respective foreign policies and principles they advocated for.
1. Teddy Roosevelt: Teddy Roosevelt, who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909, implemented a foreign policy approach known as "Big Stick Diplomacy" or "Roosevelt Corollary." He believed in projecting American power to maintain stability and protect US interests. Roosevelt emphasized the importance of a strong military and naval presence, especially in Latin America. He sought to assert US influence, intervening in the affairs of other countries when necessary and using military force if required to protect American economic interests. Roosevelt's approach was characterized by a robust and assertive foreign policy.
2. Howard Taft: Howard Taft succeeded Teddy Roosevelt as the 27th President of the United States, serving from 1909 to 1913. Taft's foreign policy approach is often referred to as "Dollar Diplomacy." Unlike Roosevelt's military-driven approach, Taft focused on economic and trade relations as the primary means of advancing American interests. Under his policy, the United States would use its economic power to promote stability and influence abroad. Taft sought to encourage American investment in foreign countries, believing that economic development would foster political stability and eventually benefit the United States.
3. Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson served as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921. Wilson's foreign policy approach was predicated on idealism and his vision for a new world order. This approach, known as "Wilsonian Diplomacy," emphasized the promotion of democracy, self-determination, and international cooperation. Wilson believed in the importance of creating an international organization, which led to the establishment of the League of Nations after World War I. Wilson's diplomatic principles were focused on collective security, negotiation, and working towards a peaceful global order.
In summary, Teddy Roosevelt favored a strong military approach to protect American interests, Taft emphasized economic relations as a means of advancing US influence, while Wilson's approach focused on spreading democracy, international cooperation, and the establishment of a global organization for peace. The differences in their views on diplomacy reflect variations in their philosophical and geopolitical perspectives.