At the height of his reign, former United States President Theodore Roosevelt famously used an African proverb which states, ‘speak softly and carry a big stick” (Morris 3). The big stick was an ideology which fundamentally defined the president’s foreign policy initiatives. Speak softly symbolized the use of diplomacy and intelligent thinking in forestalling crises. Roosevelt loved, peaceful negotiations which culminate into a broader understanding and lasting tranquility. The president’s use of the proverb underscored his reading habits and interaction of a wide gamut of literature. He believed that the speaking softly and carrying a big stick, a nation would go far (Morris 7). The phrase emphasized Roosevelt’s commitment to diplomacy, but also warned of the danger that lurked behind countries that would threaten America’s peace and prosperity. It portrayed him as a man who loved both peace and war depending on what the situation demanded.
Despite his militaristic and imperialistic fervor, he arbitrated the war between Japan and Russia in the battle for Manchuria as well as between France and Germany in the battle for Morocco (Morris 10). The proverb was meant to remind the world that the United States can be a friendly partner. But when rattled, it could also carry a big stick which implies employing its unrivaled military power to defeat her enemies. The use of the proverb underpins America’s imperialistic attitude. This attitude encompasses the dominance of the United States over other countries on the base of military, economic and cultural might. In this regard, Roosevelt passed a polite but powerful message that America may not hesitate to exert its military potential on nations that undermine its position and influence on the global stage. America’s imperialistic attitude has always stemmed from the Mexican-American war (Morris 13). The citizens of the United States have since been patriotic and confident that they live in the most powerful nation on the Earth. It is the reason political expressions express the power and influence that the country wields over lesser nations.
The big stick ideology symbolizes his love for a strong Navy that would defeat America’s enemies in the event of war. Roosevelt’s big stick ideology was meant to reinforce the messages of diplomacy. It also signifies America’s love for expansion. Even though Roosevelt used military force to supplement his diplomatic endeavors, the proverb continues to map into the American ideology of imperialism (Morris 18). These founding phrases have offered inspiration to emerging presidential hopefuls who keep on flaunting America’s strength and continued dominance over other countries.
Work Cited
Morris, Edmund. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Modern Library, 2010.
