Final answer:
The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, articulated by President Theodore Roosevelt, asserted the U.S's right to act as an international police power in Latin America to prevent European intervention. It was part of Roosevelt's 'big stick' diplomacy, which involved using both negotiation and the threat of military force to protect U.S. interests.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roosevelt Corollary and Latin America Policy
The Roosevelt Corollary was an extension of the original Monroe Doctrine, declared by President Theodore Roosevelt in a 1904 speech to Congress. It reflected Roosevelt’s foreign policy towards Latin America, where he believed the United States had the right and obligation to act as an “international police power.” This policy was aimed at preventing European nations from intervening in the Western Hemisphere, and thus, preserving U.S. interests in the region. The corollary stated that the U.S. would intervene in the domestic affairs of Latin American nations if they engaged in 'chronic wrongdoing' or if their instability invited European intervention.
The proverb “speak softly and carry a big stick” encapsulated Roosevelt’s diplomatic style; where 'speaking softly' meant negotiations and diplomacy, and the 'big stick' symbolized military might. He believed that the United States could ensure peace and stability in the region by quietly exerting its influence while also possessing a robust military presence as a deterrent. This approach to foreign policy led to U.S. interventions in several Latin American countries, often to protect American economic interests and maintain strategic dominance.