A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which president was primarily associated with the foreign policy of American expansionism?

1. Theodore Roosevelt

2. William McKinley

3. Andrew Johnson

4. Woodrow Wilson

The correct answer is: Theodore Roosevelt

The association of Theodore Roosevelt with American expansionism in foreign policy can be attributed to several key actions and principles that he implemented during his presidency. Roosevelt was a proponent of a strong, assertive U.S. presence on the global stage, famously encapsulated in his foreign policy motto, "speak softly and carry a big stick." This approach embodied the idea that the U.S. should negotiate peacefully while also being prepared to use military force if necessary. One of Roosevelt’s most significant contributions to expansionism was the construction of the Panama Canal, which not only facilitated maritime trade but also demonstrated American engineering prowess and strategic military planning. His administration also brokered the end of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize, further establishing the United States as a mediator and power in international conflicts. Roosevelt's influence extended the Monroe Doctrine and promoted the Roosevelt Corollary, which asserted the right of the United States to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize the region if they engaged in chronic wrongdoing. This doctrine signaled a shift in U.S. foreign policy from isolationism toward a more interventionist stance, reflecting a belief in expanding American influence. Overall, Roosevelt's championing of a proactive foreign policy marked