Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which policy was most prominently associated with Theodore Roosevelt in Central America?

1. New Deal

2. Big Stick

3. Fair Deal

4. Good Neighbor

The correct answer is: Big Stick

The policy most prominently associated with Theodore Roosevelt in Central America is the "Big Stick" policy. This approach emphasized the idea of using the United States' military power as a tool for diplomacy, particularly in Latin America. Roosevelt believed in a proactive stance, asserting that the U.S. should negotiate peacefully, but be ready to use force if necessary to intimidate and uphold stability in the region. This philosophy was rooted in his famous quote, "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." Under this policy, Roosevelt initiated the construction of the Panama Canal and asserted U.S. influence over Central America, particularly through the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which claimed that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin American nations to stabilize them in cases of economic or political instability. This marked a significant period of U.S. intervention in the region and shaped America's foreign relations approach towards its southern neighbors. The other policies mentioned—New Deal, Fair Deal, and Good Neighbor—are associated with different historical figures and time periods, mainly in the context of U.S. domestic policy or earlier foreign relations strategies, and thus do not apply to Roosevelt's administration in Central America.