why did Theodore Roosevelt think merely the threat of force was sufficient to achieve his foreign policy goals?
Recent military successes had established the US ability to back up its threats
President McKinley had not been able to use US military force to annex colonies
The American public did not support using military force to attain foreign policy goals
Roosevelt felt that engaging in peaceful negotiation was more effective than using force
Theodore Roosevelt believed that the mere threat of force was sufficient to achieve his foreign policy goals for several reasons. Firstly, recent military successes, such as the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion, had demonstrated the United States' capability to back up its threats with military might. This gave Roosevelt confidence that other nations would take the threats seriously and comply with American demands to avoid conflict.
Additionally, President McKinley's inability to successfully use military force to annex colonies, like the Philippines, during his presidency influenced Roosevelt's approach. Roosevelt recognized that the American public did not widely support using military force to attain foreign policy objectives. Therefore, he sought alternative methods to maintain American influence and secure desired outcomes.
Furthermore, Roosevelt believed that engaging in peaceful negotiations and diplomacy could be more effective in achieving foreign policy goals than resorting to force. He advocated for the concept of "speak softly and carry a big stick," where diplomacy and negotiation were prioritized, but the potential use of military force served as a deterrent and bargaining chip. By combining diplomacy with the credible threat of force, Roosevelt aimed to achieve favorable results without resorting to actual military conflict.
Overall, Theodore Roosevelt's belief in the effectiveness of the threat of force stemmed from recent military successes, the American public's reluctance to support military intervention, and his preference for peaceful negotiations over the use of force.