Final answer:
Theodore Roosevelt's 'big stick' metaphor signified a foreign policy approach where the U.S. used the threat of military power to achieve its international goals. This doctrine was applied in actions like the construction of the Panama Canal and in establishing the U.S. as an international police power, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Roosevelt's Big Stick Metaphor on Foreign Policy-
Theodore Roosevelt's use of the big stick metaphor, which he famously described with the African proverb "speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," played a significant role in shaping American foreign policy. This approach, known as the big stick foreign policy, involved using the threat of military force rather than actual warfare to achieve foreign objectives. Roosevelt applied this policy in various international affairs, including the construction of the Panama Canal, the mediation of the Russo-Japanese War, and maintaining U.S. interests by balancing power among nations. One example of the big stick policy in action was when Roosevelt sent the U.S. Great White Fleet on a tour as a demonstration of maritime strength to protect American business interests in Asia, particularly in the wake of Japanese exclusion of U.S. businesses from Manchuria.
Furthermore, Roosevelt extended the Monroe Doctrine to establish the United States as an international police power, ensuring that no European countries could interfere in the Western Hemisphere and violate the doctrine's principles.
Roosevelt's strategy was marked by a preference for diplomacy backed by the latent threat of military might. This foreign policy doctrine emphasized the power of negotiation and peaceful resolution where possible, but it always left the door open for the use of force if necessary, as a means to protect American interests and exert influence.