Central America

John A. Gable examines the similarities between the reelection campaigns of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 and President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Gable discusses the foreign policy issues faced by Roosevelt, and he notes the marked policy differences between Roosevelt and Reagan. He closes with a look at how presidents have fared in trying to win a second term. A photograph of Reagan in front of the Roosevelt statue at Theodore Roosevelt Island in Washington, D.C., comprises the second page of the article.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1984-08-20

President William H. Taft recently corresponded with Grosvenor Dawe of the Southern Commercial Congress regarding the establishment of a steamship company operating to South America, and the possibility of having one of their ships be the first to travel through the Panama Canal. Taft is glad people are taking steps to improve the United States’ merchant marine, and is sure if their efforts are successful they will be afforded all due privileges.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-23

Edward Earl Britton writes his autobiography in several parts, discussing his youth and involvement in many business pursuits. He breaks briefly in 1908 before continuing in a second portion, written in 1911. After reaching the present, Britton continues on by offering a prediction for the future of economic development in Central and South America. During his life Britton became connected with the Eagle Savings and Loan Company, wand was sentenced to serve some time in prison for the company’s deeds. The final pages of his autobiography feature several letters from friends petitioning New York Governor Charles Evans Hughes for clemency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03

President Roosevelt holds “the new diplomacy” Indian clubs and points them toward “Central” America and “South America.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-05-30

Uncle Sam holds “Guam,” “Philippines,” “Hawaii,” and “Porto Rico” in his arms as he reaches for “Panama.” “Mexico,” “Central America,” and “Colombia” are hidden in the foliage.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-20

President Roosevelt, dressed as a firefighter, drives away as a house labeled “Central America” catches on fire labeled “war.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

Students of times subsequent to this cartoon might not be aware of the conflicts that were called the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Central American Wars. It was not a mere stereotype but fact that countries of that region were frequent adversaries, frequently invading each other, frequently employing members of local groups with shifting loyalties, frequently making, and breaking, the peace. From Mexico and also into South America, the numbers of governments and leaders through the decades were numerous. The numerous revolts and declarations of independence of the region of Panama against Colombia is, today, a forgotten but plausible justification dealing with rebel leaders prior to arranging for construction of the Panama Canal.

President Roosevelt holds a shining “big stick” as he rides away from the “Mantle of McKinley – 3 years wear” held by the inauguration committee. As he travels on the bronco wearing an “imperialism” crown and an “extravagance” saddle blanket, Uncle Sam, “So. Am. Republic,” and “Central Am. Republic” all look at him in shock. There is a sign that reads, “Inauguration March 4, 1905 IF.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-10

Representatives of the five Central American Republics met in Washington, D.C., upon invitation of President Roosevelt and Mexican President Porfirio Díaz with the goal of preserving good relations between the respective countries. The representatives agreed to meet during the first fifteen days of November in Washington, D.C., to discuss and adjust any differences between the republics. The countries promise to maintain peaceful relations until that time, and to submit any unresolved differences that may arise before the conference to Roosevelt and Díaz.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-09-11

President Estrada Cabrera of Guatemala is pleased to have received President Roosevelt’s invitation after assisting in the diplomatic efforts in Central America. He is committed to working with Roosevelt and President Porfirio Díaz of Mexico, and will support conference initiatives in the hopes of securing peace.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Partial transcript of an article from El Universal in which I. Dublan Montesinos, former editor of “Modern Mexico” in New York, recalls his observations of President Roosevelt from the previous ten years. Montesinos believes Roosevelt will be a good friend to Mexico in his new role as president.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10

Uncle Sam, on the right, sits with legs outstretched forming a magnet labeled “United States Protectorates,” which he is using to draw Central and South American countries, represented by little figures labeled “Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Salvador, [and] Colombia” toward himself. A figure labeled “Panama” is already in his back pocket. On the left, in the background, are clouds of smoke labeled “Mexico,” which are created by the ongoing Mexican Revolution.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1913-08-13

Governor Roosevelt believes that the proposed canal should be fortified. If it is not, the canal would be another weak point to watch over during a conflict. If the canal had existed during the Spanish-American War, American forces would have needed to defend the canal to prevent the Spanish fleet from crossing into the Pacific Ocean and causing problems in a new theater. Roosevelt also favors an American canal as he does not want to see European powers gain new interests in the Americas.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1900-02-26

Transcription of a manuscript written by Theodore Roosevelt where he defends American involvement in the affairs of Central and South America. He mentions Panama, Cuba and San Domingo. A number of words are left out of the transcription. The exact date of this item is not known except that he wrote it after his presidency, possibly right before his trip to South America. 

Collection

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Creation Date

1913

Uncle Sam, as Santa Claus with his bag of toys, hands a bag of money labeled “$10,000,000” to a little boy wearing a hat labeled “Panama” and holding a huge ship, some books, one labeled “Ledger,” and towing a model train. A railing on the right divides the space into an area with a Christmas tree and an area without. Hanging on the railing, looking in, are five boys labeled “Colombia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, [and] San Domingo” who are depressed and possibly angered that Santa Claus/Uncle Sam has nothing for them.

Comments and Context

Only a month before this cartoon was drawn, on November 18, 1903, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was ratified between the United States and the very new Republic of Panama. It followed the declaration of Panama’s independence from Colombia in such short time that Secretary of State John Hay proposed and signed the treaty with Panama’s appointed representative, Philippe Bunau-Varilla in a New York hotel room; the “Minister” had not yet been to Panama.

Under the terms of the agreement, the United States was to pay the $10-million directly to the new government — one of Santa’s “goodies” in the cartoon. America also guaranteed an annual annuity of $250,000; permanent defense of the canal and strip of land known as the Canal Zone, and military protection as requested by Panama. It also assumed debts of the original French interests in the failed and corruption-laden earlier canal project; and various other assurances.

Uncle Sam, taking a break from digging, leans on a shovel while speaking to a diminutive man wearing two handguns and a knife, and a sombrero labeled “Central America.” In the background is a sign that states “Panama Canal Route.” Caption: Uncle Sam — Now, young man, while I’m digging here, I’d like a long period of depression in the Revolution Business.

Comments and Context

This cartoon was drawn immediately upon the signing of the Hay–Herrán Treaty that ceded rights to United States to build a canal through Colombia. (The signatories were John Hay, United States Secretary of State; and Tomás Herrán, Colombian chargé d’affaires.) The treaty was signed on March 14, 1903, and this issue of Puck is dated March 25.

Uncle Sam anticipates the commencement of digging and construction. Given the long history of local revolutions and regional attempts at secession, during which Central American nations sometimes requested United States assistance to suppress, the Uncle Sam, in the cartoon, logically warns “Central America” to behave.

Theodore Roosevelt sends his thanks to Robert Lee Dunn for the invitation to join the movement to help the favorable development of social and commercial relations between the United States and countries which lie to the south. Unfortunately, at the time Roosevelt has to decline due to time constraints.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-28

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt was injured after falling from her horse and was unconscious for over twenty-four hours. There is no serious danger but she is in great pain. Theodore Roosevelt requests information on the Central American treaties which he supported. Senator Cummins will support the arbitration treaty if the Senate can confirm the commissioners. Roosevelt is not satisfied with Senate confirmation as it avoids several prominent arguments against the arbitration treaty and appointing commissioners would inevitably become a political matter.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-03

Theodore Roosevelt emphasizes the importance of a biological survey of the Panama Canal route in connection with a letter from Seth E. Meek of the Field Museum of Natural History. He urges Congress to authorize a broader study of Panama and Central America.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-07

Theodore Roosevelt accepts Herbert Bury’s request to dedicate the American edition of his book to him. Roosevelt expresses his appreciation and offers encouragement for Bury’s work and experiences in Central America. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-07

In a reply to Arthur Hamilton Lee, Theodore Roosevelt describes the activities and achievements of the Roosevelt family, including the impending birth of his grandchild to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Eleanor Butler Roosevelt. Roosevelt expresses relief at the end of his public speaking career and is more preoccupied by his interest in natural history than in politics, including his upcoming article, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.” Roosevelt then goes on to discuss politics, including his approval of the current British king, expresses frustration with the American people, and discusses President Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-27