Final answer:
Theodore Roosevelt's strategy in acquiring the Panama Canal combined negotiation, support for rebellion, and construction planning. After the Canal's completion, he introduced the Roosevelt Corollary to assert U.S.'s role as the peacekeeper in the Western hemisphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theodore Roosevelt employed an assertive strategy to acquire the Panama Canal, which was primarily driven by military reasons, as well as international trade considerations. Roosevelt first negotiated with the government of Colombia, where Panama was a part of, to initiate the canal project. Faced with Colombian Senate's rejection of the treaty, Roosevelt then supported the Panamanian revolution against Colombia, effectively facilitating Panama's independence and securing the same canal deal with the new nation of Panama.
Once the Panamanian revolution was successful, construction of the Panama Canal began in May 1904, with extensive planning and resources invested in the infrastructure and workers' health and safety. The Canal, completed in 1914, transformed world trade and military defense patterns significantly.
Following this accomplishment, Roosevelt declared the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting the U.S.'s role in preserving peace and stability in the Western hemisphere. This stepped-up U.S. intervention in the internal affairs of Latin America, cementing its dominant influence in the region.
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