Roosevelt's Foreign Policy

Under Teddy, three policies were followed. In Europe, the United States followed isolationism, and stayed neutral in their affairs. In Asia, America would settle disputes and improve trade. In Latin America, in addition to the Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary. It stated that any country too weak to help itself, the United States would step in.

Roosevelt also pushed for the Panama Canal. When Colombia refused to allow a canal to be built, Roosevelt sent the American navy to aid Panama in a revolt against Colombia. This action was an example of the quote "Speak softly and carry a big stick. You will go far." The Panama canal took 10 years to build and was completed in 1914. It was over 50 miles long and cut the distance from New York to San Francisco by about 7,800 miles.

Teddy felt that two terms as president were enough. He convinced the Republicans to nominate William Howard Taft, who won in 1908.