“Speak Softly and carry a big stick.” means: Do not boast or utter verbal threats, but do make others aware that you are prepared to use physical force if necessary.
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One
of my favourite quotes, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” was used on this
date, January 26, 1900 by Teddy Roosevelt in a letter to Henry L. Sprague. I
will post information about this quote from Wikipedia.
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Theodore Roosevelt and his Big Stick in the
Caribbean
William Allen Rogers's 1904 cartoon
recreates an episode in Gulliver's Travels
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Big Stick ideology, Big Stick diplomacy, or Big Stick policy
refers to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy: "speak
softly, and carry a big stick." Roosevelt attributed the term to a West
African proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go
far," but the claim that it originated in West Africa has been disputed.
The idea of negotiating peacefully, simultaneously threatening with the
"big stick", or the military, ties in heavily with the idea of Realpolitik,
which implies a pursuit of political power that resembles Machiavellian ideals.
Roosevelt first used the phrase in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair on
September 2, 1901, four days before the assassination of President William
McKinley who died eight days later, which subsequently thrust Roosevelt into
the presidency. Roosevelt referred to the phrase earlier (January 26, 1900) in
a letter to Henry W. Sprague of the Union League Club, mentioning his liking of
the phrase in a bout of happiness after forcing New York's Republican committee
to pull support away from a corrupt financial adviser. Roosevelt attributed the
term as "a West African proverb", and was seen at the time as
evidence of Roosevelt’s "prolific" reading habits. Roosevelt
described his style of foreign policy as "the exercise of intelligent
forethought and of decisive action sufficiently far in advance of any likely
crisis". However, it is also rumored that Roosevelt himself first made the
phrase publicly known, and that he meant it was West African proverb only
metaphorically.
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This letter contains what is thought to be
the first recorded use of the phrase "Speak Softly and Carry a Big
Stick," which was later to become a trademark description of Theodore
Roosevelt's foreign policy. Here, Roosevelt, then New York's governor, waxes
happily in the knowledge that he has forced the state's Republican leaders to
abandon their support for the renomination of the corrupt Louis Payne as the
state's insurance commissioner. (PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm139.html)
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A letter by Teddy Roosevelt which gives the
first usage of "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
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1
Usage
Although
used before his presidency, Roosevelt used military muscle several times
throughout his two terms with a more subtle touch to complement his diplomatic
policies. This included the Great White Fleet, 16 battlecruisers which
peacefully circumnavigated the globe as an illustration of America's rising yet
neutral prestige under Roosevelt's direction.
1.1
In the U.S.
1.1.1
Anthracite Coal Strike
In
1902, 140,000 miners went on strike, wanting higher pay, shorter work hours,
and better housing. They were led by John Mitchell, a fellow miner who formed
the United Mine Workers (UMW). The mining companies refused to meet the demands
of the UMW and contacted the Federal Government for support. Before Roosevelt,
the government would send in military support to forcefully end the strike, but
during Roosevelt’s terms, this strategy was not used. After the companies
called for assistance, Roosevelt, fearful of the effects a coal shortage would
have on the economy of the time, decided to host a meeting in the White House involving
representatives or delegates, of the miners and the leaders of the mining
companies. Mitchell, after returning from the White House meeting, met with the
miners, and drew a Consensus. The miners decided not to submit to political
pressure, and continue on with the strike. Roosevelt then decided to bring in
the military, but, instead of forcefully ending the strike and restoring power
to the mining companies, he would use the military to run the mines in
the "public interest". The mining companies, upset that they were no
longer directly making a profit, then accepted the demands of the UMW. This
policy was later referred to as the "Square Deal".
1.2
Latin America
1.2.1
Venezuelan Affair (1902) and the Roosevelt Corollary
In
the early 20th century, Venezuela was receiving messages from Britain and
Germany about "Acts of violence against the liberty of British subjects
and the massive capture of British vessels" who were from the UK and the
acts of Venezuelan initiative to pay off long-standing debts. After British and
German forces took naval action with a blockade on Venezuela (1902-1903),
Roosevelt denounced the blockade. The blockade began the basis of the Roosevelt
Corollary to the Monroe doctrine. Though he had mentioned the basis of his idea
beforehand in private letters, he officially announced the corollary in 1904,
stating that he only wanted the "other republics on this continent"
to be "happy and prosperous". For that goal to be met, the corollary
required that they "maintain order within their borders and behave with a
just obligation toward outsiders".
Most
historians, such as one of Roosevelt’s many biographers Howard K. Beale have
summarized that the corollary was influenced by Roosevelt’s personal beliefs as
well as his connections to foreign bondholders. The U.S. public was very
"tense" during the two-month blockade, and Roosevelt requested that
Britain and Germany pull out their forces from the area. During the requests
for the blockade’s end, Roosevelt stationed naval forces in Cuba, to ensure
"the respect of Monroe doctrine" and the compliance of the parties in
question.
1.2.2
Canal diplomacy
The
U.S. used the "big stick" during "Canal Diplomacy", the
questionable diplomatic actions of the U.S. during the pursuit of a canal
across Central America. Both Nicaragua and Panama featured canal related
incidents of Big Stick Diplomacy.
1.2.2.1
Proposed construction of the Nicaragua Canal
Main article: Nicaragua
Canal
In 1901, Secretary of State John Hay
pressed the Nicaraguan Government for approval of a canal. Nicaragua would
receive $1.5 million in ratification, $100,000 annually, and the U.S. would
"provide sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity".
Nicaragua then returned the contract draft with a change; they wished to
receive, instead of an annual $100,000, $6 million in ratification. The U.S.
accepted the deal, but after Congress approved the contract a problem of court
jurisdiction came up. The U.S. did not have legal jurisdiction in the land of
the future canal. An important note is that this problem was on the verge of
correction, until Pro-Panama representatives posed problems for Nicaragua; the
current leader (General José Santos Zelaya) did not cause
problems, from the outlook of U.S. interests.
1.2.2.2
Construction of the Panama Canal
Main
article: History of the Panama Canal
In 1899,
the Isthmian Canal Commission was set up to determine which site would be best
for the canal (Nicaragua or Panama) and then to oversee construction of the
canal. After Nicaragua was ruled out, Panama was the obvious choice. A few
problems had arisen, however. With the U.S.' solidified interests in Panama
(then a small portion of Colombia), both Colombia and the French company that
was to provide the construction materials raised their prices. The U.S.,
refusing to pay the higher-than-expected fees, "engineered a
revolution" in Colombia. On November 3, 1903, Panama (with the support of
the United States Navy) revolted against Colombia. Panama became a new
republic, receiving $10 million from the U.S. alone. Panama also gained an
annual payment of $250,000, and guarantees of independence. The U.S. gained the
rights to the canal strip "in perpetuity". Roosevelt later said that
he "took the Canal, and let Congress debate". After Colombia lost
Panama, they tried to appeal to the U.S. by the reconsidering of treaties and
even naming Panama City the capital of Colombia.
1.2.3
Cuba
Main articles: Teller
Amendment and Platt Amendment
The
U.S., after the Spanish-American War, had many expansionists who wanted to
annex Cuba.
Many people felt that a foreign power (outside of the U.S.) would control a
portion of Cuba, thus the U.S. could not continue with its interests in Cuba.
Although many advocated annexation, this was prevented by the Teller Amendment,
which states "hereby disclaims any disposition of intention to exercise
sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island except for pacification
thereof, and asserts its determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the
government and control of the island to its people." When summarized, this
could mean that the U.S. would not interfere with Cuba and its peoples. The
expansionists argued though, that the Teller Amendment was created
"ignorant of actual conditions" and that this released the U.S. from
its obligation. Following the debate surrounding the Teller Amendment, the
Platt Amendment took effect. The Platt Amendment (the name is a misnomer; the
Platt Amendment is actually a rider to the Army Appropriation Act of 1901) was
accepted by Cuba in late 1901, after "strong pressure" from
Washington. The Platt Amendment, summarized by Thomas A. Bailey in
"Diplomatic History of the American People":
1.
Cuba
was not to make decisions impairing her independence or to permit a foreign
power [e.g. Germany] to secure lodgment in control over the island.
2.
Cuba
pledged herself not to incur an indebtedness beyond her means [It might result
in foreign intervention].
3.
The
United States was at liberty to intervene for the purpose of preserving order
and maintaining Cuban independence.
4.
Cuba
would agree to an American-sponsored sanitation program [Aimed largely at
yellow fever].
5.
Cuba
would agree to sell or lease to the United States sites for naval or coaling
stations [Guantánamo became the principal base].
With
the Platt Amendment in place, Roosevelt pulled the troops out of Cuba . This
action was met with public unrest and outcries for annexation, with reasons
ranging from "U.S. interests" to "dominant white race". The
Indianapolis News said, "It is manifest destiny for a nation to own
the islands which border its shores." Roosevelt had written privately that
if "any South American country misbehaves" it should be
"spanked". A year later, Roosevelt wrote,
Just at the moment I am so angry with that infernal little Cuban republic that I would like to wipe its people off the face of the earth. All that we wanted from them was that they would behave themselves and be prosperous and happy so that we would not have to interfere.—Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt to White
1.3
Asia
1.3.1
Japan
At
the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War in September 1905, President Roosevelt
leveraged his position as a strong but impartial leader in order to negotiate a
peace treaty between the two nations. "Speaking softly" earned
the President enough prestige to even merit a Nobel Peace Prize the following
year for his efforts.
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