Theodore Roosevelt inherited an empire-in-the-making when he assumed
office in 1901. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Spain ceded the
Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam to the United States. In addition,
the United States established a protectorate over Cuba and annexed
Hawaii. For the first time in its history, the United States had
acquired an overseas empire. As President, Roosevelt wanted to increase
the influence and prestige of the United States on the world stage and
make the country a global power. He also believed that the exportation
of American values and ideals would have an ennobling effect on the
world. TR's diplomatic maxim was to "speak softly and carry a big
stick," and he maintained that a chief executive must be willing to use
force when necessary while practicing the art of persuasion. He
therefore sought to assemble a powerful and reliable defense for the
United States to avoid conflicts with enemies who might prey on
weakness. Roosevelt followed McKinley in ending the relative
isolationism that had dominated the country since the mid-1800s, acting
aggressively in foreign affairs, often without the support or consent of
Congress.
