Question

United States policy toward Latin America under Theodore Roosevelt and Taft served the interests of:

A. The policy primarily served the interests of Latin American countries, promoting their economic and political independence.
B. The policy aimed to isolate the United States from Latin American affairs, avoiding any involvement.
C. The policy sought to advance the interests of European powers in Latin America.
D. The policy was focused on promoting diplomatic and peaceful relations with Latin American nations without any ulterior motives.

Answer 1

U.S. policy under Roosevelt and Taft was focused on extending American influence and preventing European intervention in Latin America, resulting in increased U.S. economic control and diminished autonomy for Latin American nations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The United States policy toward Latin America under Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft did not primarily serve the interests of Latin American countries, nor did it aim to isolate the United States from Latin American affairs or promote European interests.

Instead, Roosevelt exercised the Roosevelt Corollary to extend American influence by intervening in the affairs of Latin American nations, establishing protectorates, and managing finances, under the guise of pre-empting European interference. Taft's Dollar Diplomacy continued in a similar vein, urging investment and influence in the region, with military force as a backup when economic tactics failed.

Of key interest was the foreign policy objective of preventing European nations from using debt as leverage for intervention in the Americas, so the U.S. paid off these debts, increasing the indebtedness of Latin American countries to the U.S. instead. This economic imperialism often destabilized the regions further and bolstered U.S. economic interests at the expense of Latin American autonomy and prosperity.