Reflection Paper
In the early 1800’s, countries in Latin America were still under the rule of the Europeans. This meant that even though they gained “independence”, they were still controlled by the Europeans. The United States, however, had recently gained its independence from Britain, & was now recognized as an independent nation. The U.S. wanted to expand its territories to get raw materials and a market for their industrial products. Since European countries were colonizing Africa, India, & other weaker countries, Americas interest in their Western hemisphere neighbors grew. To keep the interest to themselves, the U.S. issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. This document stated further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, thus requiring U.S. intervention.
The Monroe Doctrine made the U.S venture out and colonize weak Latin American countries that needed their help. After the Monroe Doctrine, President Roosevelt issued the Roosevelt Corollary. It stated that the U.S would help stabilize economic problems in struggling Latin American countries .For example, they helped Panama gain its independence from Columbia.
American traders wanted to find an easier water route from New York to San Francisco without sailing around the whole continent of South America. France had previously tried to construct a canal through Panama after successfully constructing the Suez Canal, but the conditions were different and caught the French off guard. The construction was halted, & the idea was forgotten. American president Theodore Roosevelt thought he could take on the challenge and paid $10 million plus an extra yearly payment for the right to build it. They were given a 10 mile wide zone to build the canal, which was open for ships 1914. It was controlled by the United States.
America built trust with many weak Latin