Final answer:
The Good Neighbor Policy sought to improve U.S.-Latin American relations by withdrawing U.S. troops, respecting autonomy, and signaling a shift from previous interventionist policies. Historians debate the sincerity of the U.S.'s non-intervention commitment, which was later challenged during the Cold War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Good Neighbor Policy
The Good Neighbor Policy was introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as an approach to improve the relationships between the United States and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The policy emphasized non-intervention and non-interference, respecting the sovereignty and autonomy of Latin American nations.
This was a significant shift from former U.S. policies that often involved military intervention and control of financial policies in the region.
By withdrawing troops from countries such as Haiti and Nicaragua and ending policies like the Roosevelt Corollary and the Platt Amendment, the U.S. demonstrated a commitment to the principles of the Good Neighbor Policy.
However, there is debate among historians about the sincerity and consistency of the United States' commitment to non-intervention, especially as later years saw a return to more interventionist policies during the Cold War era.
Roosevelt’s policy can be seen as a strategic move to ease economic strain by reducing overseas commitments and garnering political goodwill in the Western Hemisphere, especially as the threat of global conflicts loomed and the need for hemispheric solidarity grew.
The policy led to a period of reduced military presence and more respectful diplomatic relationships with Latin American countries but the principle of non-intervention would be tested in subsequent decades.