“Whether it was called the Big Stick, Dollar Diplomacy or Moral Diplomacy, the impact of United States foreign policy towards Latin America was virtually the same.” Discuss.

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of these foreign policies and reach a considered conclusion as to the impact they had on Latin America. Challenges to the original premise as well as confirmation are equally acceptable.

Indicative content

• Big Stick Diplomacy, practiced by Roosevelt, called for military intervention, or threat of it, to force Latin American nations to comply with US wishes. Dollar Diplomacy under Taft thought the US could control Latin American nations through loans and investment. Moral Diplomacy under Wilson sought to change the interventionist approach to one of guidance to democracy
  and only recognized those governments that came to power through democratic elections.
• The impact of each of these foreign policies on Latin America through military intervention, US loans and US recognition could be considered.
• Examples of affected Latin American countries could include Cuba, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, Guatemala and Mexico.
• Candidates could indicate that regardless of what name was given to the foreign policy, it still resulted in American imperialism and intervention in order to protect American interests.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]