How did Franklin D Roosevelt's policies toward Latin America differ from those of Theodore Roosevelt?

Answer 1

Theodore Roosevelt relied on big-stick diplomacy. His famous saying was "Speak softly but carry a big stick." He was very aggressive in his foreign policy. For example, when Colombia rejected the treaty giving the United States the right to build the Panama Canal, Roosevelt actually backed a revolution in Panama and signed the treaty with the revolutionaries. Teddy Roosevelt also issued the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This policy enabled the United States to intervene in Latin American affairs. Needless to say, the Roosevelt Corollary and its creator were very unpopular in Latin America.

On the other hand, Franklin Roosevelt's policy was called the Good Neighbor Policy. FDR basically announced that the United States would no longer intervene in Latin America's affairs. He kept his word, pulling Marines out of Haiti. When a crisis came up with Mexico, Roosevelt was able to negotiate successfully. Though some Latin American countries remained suspicious of United States policies, Franklin Roosevelt was an admired figure in Latin America.