1898-1917
Ch. 20: Becoming a World Power
Amsco Book
Teddy Roosevelt in office
1. What is the meaning behind Roosevelt’s mantra “speak softly and carry a big stick”? How did this
make him stand out as different from previous presidents?
2. What was the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901)? Why was this agreement with the British a necessity
after the Spanish American War?
3. What problems did Colombia present in the building of the Panama Canal? Describe how the U.S.
orchestrated the results of the eventual Hay-Buana-Varilla Treaty (1903)?
4. What were the short and long term effects of the building the Canal?
5. What was the Roosevelt Corollary? How was it able to maintain the basic outline of the Monroe
Doctrine? Whom does this policy benefit & whom does it alienate?
6. What role did the United States and Roosevelt play in the Russo-Japanese War?
7. What notable result was received by President Roosevelt in the aftermath of the Treaty of Portsmouth?
8. What were the circumstances surrounding the arranged “Gentlemen’s Agreement” between Japan and
the United States? Did either side benefit from this agreement?
9. What was the purpose of the “Great White Fleet” from 1907-1909?
10. What was the Root-Takihara agreeement? What are the implications of this “Agreement” not being a
“Treaty”?
11. Why was “Big Stick Diplomacy” a success? Can this same measure be carried out by Taft as
Roosevelt’s predecessor?
William H. Taft in office
12. What is the meaning behind “Dollar Diplomacy”? How does this approach differ from Teddy?
13. Based on previous historical trends, what problems will Taft have in administering his approach?
14. How was China the first test of Taft’s new diplomatic approach?
15. Following the 1911 agreement, how was the Russian-Japanese action in Manchuria cause for concern
for Taft?
16. How did a civil war in Nicaragua in 1912 disrupt “dollar diplomacy”?
17. What was the Lodge Corollary?
18. What was President Taft’s view on the resolution? Did it matter?
Woodrow Wilson in office
19. Give two reasons why Wilson was able to win the election of 1912?
20. Who was Woodrow Wilson’s Secretary of State? What does this indicate about his approach to
foreign policy?
21. What were the conditions of the Jones Act (1916)?
22. What actions had Wilson taken in Panama in 1914 and Puerto Rico in 1917, respectively?
23. What were Conciliation Treaties? How many had been arranged during his tenure?
