Zachary Fernandez
1/28/13
Mid Term Essay
A famous quote by President Roosevelt is “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” He set an example this motto and used it throughout his presidency. By “big stick” it is meant that he will use his big stick to settle disputes and other problems. The “big stick” is a metaphor for taking a big stick and breaking up a fight.
There are many examples of Roosevelt using this motto. One of the most popular uses of the motto would be the building of the Panama Canal. When Roosevelt original came to the government of Panama, which was owned by Colombia, He offered them money in return for letting them build the canal. They said no so it was time to bust out the big guns, or better yet the big stick. He used his “big stick” to start up a revolution. This revolution led to the panama getting it independence. After this Panama agreed with letting the U.S. come in a build the Canal. This was an example of how he used is big stick in foreign affairs.
There were not many accounts of him using this policy in domestic affairs. One of the only ones was during a coal strike in 1902. The coal miners were going on strike. They were protesting because they wanted more pay, shorter hours, and better housing. The total amount of miners that were on strike was 140,000. This was a very serious problem. Roosevelt had the leader of the miners meet with him at the white house they talked it out and drew up an agreement. Regardless, the miners did not want to submit to the government and decided to go on with the strike anyway. Theodore then decided to take matters into his own hands and he sent in the military. They were not sent in to stop the protestors but to actually do the mining work. This got the mining company angry because they were losing money and decided that it would be best for them to send the workers back to work.
Roosevelt did “speak softly” while in office. By this he means that you can’t be all talk. You must speak...