The Roosevelt Corollary and its Impact on U.S.-Latin American Relations

What document did President Theodore Roosevelt add the Roosevelt Corollary to in 1904?

A) Monroe Doctrine

B) Emancipation Proclamation

C) Declaration of Independence

D) Treaty of Ghent

Answer:

President Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904.

The Monroe Doctrine was initially articulated by President James Monroe as a warning to European nations against interfering with countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary to this doctrine. This corollary went a step further and stated that the United States had the right not only to ward off European interventions, but also to involve itself in the affairs of Latin American countries if they were perceived as 'chronically misbehaving', thus acting as an 'international police power'.

Roosevelt sought to ensure stability in the region and protect American interests. Unlike the Monroe Doctrine, which was largely a defensive policy, the Roosevelt Corollary was more aggressive, allowing for active intervention in Latin America. This marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and had a lasting impact on U.S.-Latin American relations in the following century.