How Did Theodore Roosevelt Become A Grand Navy

At the start of the 20th century, America was becoming a “super power” on the global stage. The nation had just finished a war with Spain which lead to greater territories in the Pacific, most notably, the Philippines. America also became the protectorate of Cuba, and was amassing a global empire. With the increase presence globally, America needed to establish itself as a nation of power, and needed a leader who exhibited this same outlook. In 1901, America got just the leader it was looking for. With the assassination of the 25th president, Theodore Roosevelt took office. Roosevelt who was a straightforward leader, had humble beginnings. From those beginnings, the “progressive era” was born, along with a new approach to foreign policy. The

While studying at Harvard, Roosevelt began to write a historical account of the Navy during the War of 1812. Within this book, Roosevelt was able to change some thoughts on why the War of 1812 actually took place. This book also led many in positions of power within the national naval department to look at Roosevelt more closely, which led to Roosevelt becoming the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. With this position, Roosevelt found how important a grand navy is, and how costly it was to move ships from one coast to the other without a shortcut in between. With that in mind, Roosevelt continued his push for a larger and stronger Navy to become the “big stick” while he was President. This culminated towards the end of his Presidency with the voyage of the Great White

From what we learned about the determination to build a great Navy, Roosevelt wanted the Navy to move from ocean to ocean with ease. This gave him the chance to continue the dreams of American naval leaders by building a canal in the heart of Central America to connect the two major oceans. Thus began Roosevelt’s leg work of garnering a deal to control the supposed canal. Within his very first term, Roosevelt was able to negotiate with Britain that if a canal were to be built, that America would be in control of it. Then through meetings of the back handed type, Congress approved the canal to be built in Panama with the support of Columbia, whom owned the proposed area. Columbia did not like the terms, and the “Big Stick” came out in full swing, as America backed a Panamanian revolt, and was able to gain the rights to the canal with the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty and the cost of $10 million with $250 thousand annum. This was not the only dealings in Latin America with America and Roosevelt. There was a naval blockade of Venezuela by Britain and Germany due in part to monies owed by Venezuela. Roosevelt and America felt that there was more to this debt than what was being said. With the thoughts of more happening, Roosevelt told the nations involved that arbitration would be best. This was done in Santo Domingo. This trouble led Roosevelt to amend