AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY - THE MAKING
OF A SUPERPOWER USA 1865-1975
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The Panama Canal - The construction of the Panama Canal - ANSWER-Key event
in presidency
For centuries, there were ambitions to build a canal across Panama isthmus (strip
between two different seas) for trade & economic reasons
France attempted + failed, Roosevelt determined to enforce expansionist policies
The Panama Canal - Negotiation - ANSWER-He sought to achieve construction of
canal across Central America, primarily for military reasons but also for trade
Roosevelt negotiated with government of Colombia, sometimes threatening to take
project away building through Nicaragua
Agreed treaty to grant US lease for the land, exchanged for 10 million dollars with
additional 250,000 dollars rental fee
Colombian people outraged over loss of lands saw payment as too low
Public outcry, Colombian Senate rejected treaty, told Roosevelt there would be no
canal
The Panama Canal - Revolution - ANSWER-Roosevelt made it clear US would
support Panamanian people to revolt against Colombia to form their own nation
(encouraged rebellion, politically devious but logical)
Nov 1903 - Sent American battleship to Coast of Colombia practising manoeuvres as
the revolution unfolded
Warships blocked Colombia from moving additional trips to quell the uprising
In week, Roosevelt recognised new country of Panama, welcoming them + offering
same terms - 10 mil plus 250,000 rent
Panama became American protectorate, remained until 1939
The Panama Canal - After Victory - ANSWER-May 1904 - Construction of canal
began
1st year worked on building housing cafeterias, warehouse, areas France failed to
consider
Introduction of fumigation systems + mosquito nets following spread of malaria &
yellow fever
Roosevelt became first sitting US president to conduct official international trip,
travelled to Panama
Canel opened in 1914 changing world trade & military defence pattern
The Roosevelt Corollary - what was it for? - ANSWER-Wanted to send clear
message to rest of world in particular to Europe, highlighting colonization of Western
Hemisphere has ended + their interference in counties would no longer be tolerated
(linked to Monroe Doctrine)
Sent message to counterparts in Central + South America, should US see problems
in the region they would intervene to maintain peace + stability throughout
hemisphere
, The Roosevelt Corollary - Explanation - ANSWER-Based on original Monroe
Doctrine warning European nations of consequences of their interference in
Caribbean
Roosevelt states US would use military force 'as international police power' to correct
any
wrongdoing by any Latin American nation
Anthesis of Monroe Doctrine as Roosevelt Corollary loudly proclaiming right for US
to involve itself whenever necessary
Despite growing resentments from neighbouring countries, with knowledge of
Roosevelt's previous actions with Panama Canal, it left may fearful of challenging
America
The Roosevelt Corollary - Impact - ANSWER-Made US 'police power' of Western
Hemisphere
Rationale for American Involvement in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Haiti + other
Latin American countries
Strained relationships between these countries & UAS for many decades to come
William Howard Taft - the change - ANSWER-Began dollar diplomacy to assert
dominance over hemisphere
He became president in 1909, adapted Roosevelt's foreign policy to reflect economic
power at time
He claimed 'substitute dollars for bullets' to use foreign policy to ensure secure
markets
Taft used threat of American economic clout to coerce countries into agreement to
benefit US
Roosevelt's foreign policy - 1903 Panama Canal - ANSWER-Began negotiations with
Colombia to build Canal, resulting in encouragement of Panama revolt against
Colombia.
Symbolised strength of America as they were able to build something Europe
couldn't
They didn't cause conflict which required cost
Changed military + trade patterns
Roosevelt's foreign policy - Domination of Cuba - ANSWER-Did get independence
from French, yet they enforced large amount of military resulting in 60% of land
being controlled by America dominating their territory & controlling their economy
Roosevelt's foreign policy - Domination of Central America - ANSWER-Economic
Colony of America was strong, dominating Central America with different US
corporations such as United fruit
They controlled success of local economies even if they didn't agree with America's
actions, they couldn't go against them
Roosevelt's foreign policy - 'Open Door' Policy: Chine - ANSWER-Announced by
John Hay by which foreign nations should have same commercial access to China.
US would protect China's independence + territory
OF A SUPERPOWER USA 1865-1975
COMPLETE ANSWERS
The Panama Canal - The construction of the Panama Canal - ANSWER-Key event
in presidency
For centuries, there were ambitions to build a canal across Panama isthmus (strip
between two different seas) for trade & economic reasons
France attempted + failed, Roosevelt determined to enforce expansionist policies
The Panama Canal - Negotiation - ANSWER-He sought to achieve construction of
canal across Central America, primarily for military reasons but also for trade
Roosevelt negotiated with government of Colombia, sometimes threatening to take
project away building through Nicaragua
Agreed treaty to grant US lease for the land, exchanged for 10 million dollars with
additional 250,000 dollars rental fee
Colombian people outraged over loss of lands saw payment as too low
Public outcry, Colombian Senate rejected treaty, told Roosevelt there would be no
canal
The Panama Canal - Revolution - ANSWER-Roosevelt made it clear US would
support Panamanian people to revolt against Colombia to form their own nation
(encouraged rebellion, politically devious but logical)
Nov 1903 - Sent American battleship to Coast of Colombia practising manoeuvres as
the revolution unfolded
Warships blocked Colombia from moving additional trips to quell the uprising
In week, Roosevelt recognised new country of Panama, welcoming them + offering
same terms - 10 mil plus 250,000 rent
Panama became American protectorate, remained until 1939
The Panama Canal - After Victory - ANSWER-May 1904 - Construction of canal
began
1st year worked on building housing cafeterias, warehouse, areas France failed to
consider
Introduction of fumigation systems + mosquito nets following spread of malaria &
yellow fever
Roosevelt became first sitting US president to conduct official international trip,
travelled to Panama
Canel opened in 1914 changing world trade & military defence pattern
The Roosevelt Corollary - what was it for? - ANSWER-Wanted to send clear
message to rest of world in particular to Europe, highlighting colonization of Western
Hemisphere has ended + their interference in counties would no longer be tolerated
(linked to Monroe Doctrine)
Sent message to counterparts in Central + South America, should US see problems
in the region they would intervene to maintain peace + stability throughout
hemisphere
, The Roosevelt Corollary - Explanation - ANSWER-Based on original Monroe
Doctrine warning European nations of consequences of their interference in
Caribbean
Roosevelt states US would use military force 'as international police power' to correct
any
wrongdoing by any Latin American nation
Anthesis of Monroe Doctrine as Roosevelt Corollary loudly proclaiming right for US
to involve itself whenever necessary
Despite growing resentments from neighbouring countries, with knowledge of
Roosevelt's previous actions with Panama Canal, it left may fearful of challenging
America
The Roosevelt Corollary - Impact - ANSWER-Made US 'police power' of Western
Hemisphere
Rationale for American Involvement in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Haiti + other
Latin American countries
Strained relationships between these countries & UAS for many decades to come
William Howard Taft - the change - ANSWER-Began dollar diplomacy to assert
dominance over hemisphere
He became president in 1909, adapted Roosevelt's foreign policy to reflect economic
power at time
He claimed 'substitute dollars for bullets' to use foreign policy to ensure secure
markets
Taft used threat of American economic clout to coerce countries into agreement to
benefit US
Roosevelt's foreign policy - 1903 Panama Canal - ANSWER-Began negotiations with
Colombia to build Canal, resulting in encouragement of Panama revolt against
Colombia.
Symbolised strength of America as they were able to build something Europe
couldn't
They didn't cause conflict which required cost
Changed military + trade patterns
Roosevelt's foreign policy - Domination of Cuba - ANSWER-Did get independence
from French, yet they enforced large amount of military resulting in 60% of land
being controlled by America dominating their territory & controlling their economy
Roosevelt's foreign policy - Domination of Central America - ANSWER-Economic
Colony of America was strong, dominating Central America with different US
corporations such as United fruit
They controlled success of local economies even if they didn't agree with America's
actions, they couldn't go against them
Roosevelt's foreign policy - 'Open Door' Policy: Chine - ANSWER-Announced by
John Hay by which foreign nations should have same commercial access to China.
US would protect China's independence + territory
