Latin America

Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick foreign policy, encapsulated by the proverb "speak softly and carry a big stick," advocated for peaceful negotiations backed by the threat of military force. This approach aimed to expand American influence, particularly in Latin America and the…

"The Big Stick in the Caribbean Sea" is a 1904 political cartoon by William Allen Rogers. It illustrates President Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick Diplomacy, portraying him as a colossal figure wielding a massive club through the Caribbean. It symbolizes America's military and political power.

The 1828 Treaty of Limits was a significant agreement between the United States and Mexico that established their shared border. It reaffirmed the boundary set by the 1819 Adams-Onis Treaty. While intended to prevent future disputes, Mexico viewed the U.S. recognition of Texas's independence…

Law #3 of the Sierra Maestra on Agrarian Reform aimed to redistribute land to the landless peasants. This law established the principle of granting ownership to tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and squatters, while providing compensation for landowners. It allowed for the free distribution of land up…

This political cartoon depicts future President James Buchanan and a group of men who appear to be thieves. These figures use quotations from the Ostend Manifesto to justify their actions of robbing Buchanan.

The Ostend Manifesto was a 1854 document that urged the United States to forcefully acquire Cuba from Spain. Driven by Southerners seeking to expand slavery and maintain political power, the manifesto argued for Cuba's annexation due to its location, weather, and potential rise of a slave…

In his "Ripe Fruit" Theory, John Quincy Adams argued that Cuba, then a Spanish colony, would gravitate toward the United States once its unnatural connection with Spain was severed. Comparing Cuba to a ripe fruit, Adams argued that the laws of political gravitation would bring the island…

The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) was a free trade agreement among the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. This agreement aimed to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers on goods, services, and…

The Washington Consensus was a term coined by economist John Williamson to describe a set of economic policies promoted by the IMF, World Bank, and U.S. Treasury. These policies were aimed at developing countries facing economic crises. They advocated for free-market principles and reduced state…

The Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) is the document that established the OAS. It also defines its core mission, principles, and structure. It aims to strengthen peace and security. It also seeks to promote representative democracy, prevent conflicts, and ensure the peaceful…

The Rio Treaty is a security pact among nations in the Americas. Born out of World War II and the early Cold War, it aimed to establish a common defense mechanism to maintain regional peace. However, its practical application and relevance have faced scrutiny and challenges.

This poster advocates for better relations with Latin American countries. It features a prominent yellow map of the Americas against a light blue background, with the call to action "Strengthen GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY" in red and dark blue text across the top and middle.

The Good Neighbor Policy, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. It emphasized non-intervention in the affairs of Latin American nations, mutual respect, and economic cooperation through trade agreements. This policy…

This political cartoon, created and published by Louis Dalrymple in 1905, illustrates the Roosevelt Corollary foreign policy. It depicts a large, stern-faced Theodore Roosevelt, perched atop a massive naval cannon labeled "U.S." on a battleship.

The Roosevelt Corollary was a significant expansion of the Monroe Doctrine. It declared that the United States had the right to intervene as an international police power in the Western Hemisphere. This meant that if Latin American nations engaged in chronic wrongdoing, such as political…

The Monroe Doctrine was a foreign policy statement declaring that the Americas were closed to European colonization. It asserted a sphere of influence for the United States. It also promised U.S. non-intervention in European affairs in return for Europe's non-interference in the Americas.…

In his address in Mobile, Alabama, President Woodrow Wilson articulated a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. He declared that the United States will never again seek territorial conquest in the region. He aimed to move away from previous imperialistic tendencies,…