Revolution (Panama : 1903)

In a chapter titled “A Most Just and Proper Revolution,” taken from the second volume of his biography of Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Rex, Edmund Morris details the machinations in Washington, D.C. and Panama that resulted in the revolution against Colombian rule on the Isthmus and the establishment of the independent nation of Panama. Morris describes the careful actions and words of administration figures like Roosevelt and Secretary of State John Hay, and he charts the movement of ships of the United States Navy sent in support of the insurrection. Morris adds to his Panama narrative interludes about the November 1903 elections in the United States, Roosevelt’s visit to Sagamore Hill, and his compilation of a reading list.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

2001

Henry J. Hendrix argues that President Theodore Roosevelt did not see diplomacy and the deployment of the United States Navy as separate and unrelated actions, but rather he saw and used them as complements to one another, and Hendrix cites examples of episodes during Roosevelt’s presidency to bolster his argument. Hendrix cites the Venezuelan crisis of 1902, intervention in Panama in 1903, the kidnapping of Ion Perdicaris in 1904, and the mediation of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 as examples of Roosevelt deploying assets of the United States Navy in support of his diplomatic efforts. Hendrix asserts that Roosevelt used a very hands on approach to his statecraft, in effect acting as his own Secretary of State and Secretary of the Navy.

Two photographs of Hendrix and one of Secretary of State John Hay appear in the article along with a text box containing the mission statement of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Two books undergo scrutiny in this edition of the “Book Reviews” section while ten others are mentioned in a “Book Notes” subsection that lists recently released or reissued titles. Elizabeth E. Roosevelt reviews Richard H. Collin’s Theodore Roosevelt’s Caribbean and gives a brief overview of each of the work’s four sections, praising the book for its portraits of key players involved in the various diplomatic tussles of the Roosevelt administration in the Caribbean basin. The review is followed by seven excerpts from Collin’s book, ranging from a single sentence to short paragraphs. Donald F. Kirkpatrick reviews Ralph H. Lutts’s The Nature Fakers which chronicles Theodore Roosevelt’s fight with William J. Long and other nature writers who attributed human traits to animals.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1991

In a pair of quotes, Theodore Roosevelt comments about how the Panamanians were justified in their revolution from Colombia, and that while he did not foment the revolution, neither did he stop it from happening.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1903-1915

In two quotes Theodore Roosevelt explains that he did not foment a revolution in Panama, but concedes he did prevent Colombia from turning the revolution into a larger war, and did not suppress the revolution.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1914-1915

Serge Ricard argues that President Theodore Roosevelt practiced a style of diplomacy that was clothed in self-righteousness and was backed by the threat of force. Ricard argues that Roosevelt’s diplomacy lacked nuance because Roosevelt reduced all conflicts and disputes to a “simplistic vision of right and wrong.” He asserts that Roosevelt lacked Woodrow Wilson’s endless self-examination and William H. Taft’s commitment to dollar diplomacy, but that he viewed America’s role in the revolutions of the Philippines and Panama in black and white terms with the United States playing the role of guardian of progress and civilization. Ricard closes by arguing that Roosevelt’s style of diplomacy has endured to the detriment of the United States and its foreign policy record.

John A. Gable writes a brief introduction to this article in which he notes Ricard’s credentials, and he stresses that the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal welcomes the opportunity to air debates about Roosevelt’s record. 

Frederick W. Marks explores why Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy record is either ignored or dismissed in high school textbooks. Marks examines Roosevelt’s diplomacy, especially his dealings with Latin American nations, to assert that Roosevelt had a record worthy of study and recognition. Marks notes the irony in Roosevelt’s poor treatment at the hands of historians as Roosevelt was an accomplished historian and a president of the American Historical Association. Marks concludes his article by asking why Roosevelt’s record is downplayed, and he argues that Roosevelt’s larger than life personality overshadows his achievements and that the standards for judging diplomatic behavior in 1900 and 1985 are markedly different. 

A photograph of Marks and of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site appear in the article.

Michael Caglioti challenges the assumption that President Roosevelt acted immorally in the negotiations and events leading to the Panamanian Revolution of 1903 that ultimately led to the construction of the Panama Canal by the United States in the independent nation of Panama. Caglioti details why Roosevelt wanted the Canal built, and looks at the treaties the United States entered into with various countries to pave the way for United States sovereignty over a future canal. He contends that elements of Colombia’s government, press, and public opinion refused to recognize the reality of the United States’ superior economic, diplomatic and military power when negotiating the canal treaty.

Caglioti further notes that the Colombian government refused to ratify the Hay-Herran Convention authorizing the building of the canal because it wanted more money, and details the benefits that Colombia would have received from the canal’s construction. He argues that Roosevelt’s “guilt” in the Panama affair is usually tied to whether his administration gave an explicit assurance of assistance to the Panamanian rebels. He says that Roosevelt acted, as he should have, in the best interests of the United States in helping the revolution succeed.

A photograph of Roosevelt sitting in one of the steam shovels used in the construction of the canal accompanies the article.

The article discusses Theodore Roosevelt’s statements on morality and international justice, criticizing his foreign policy actions related to the Panama Canal.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-09

The writer has been instructed by Colonel Roosevelt to write to Charles M. Oldrin about the Panama Canal. Most of the information can be found in Roosevelt’s prior speeches and writings on the subject, but the general facts are that building the Canal was necessary for the people of Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-06-05

Extract from a letter written by Theodore Roosevelt regarding the Panamanian revolution and securing the Isthmus of Panama for an inter-oceanic canal. Roosevelt uses the analogy of nailing currant jelly to a wall in reaching an agreement with Colombian rulers. This extract comes from a letter to William Roscoe Thayer.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1915-07-02

Uncle Sam, with a bundle of papers labeled “Canal Plans,” pats a diminutive man, wearing a hat labeled “Panama,” on the shoulder. The man smiles broadly and is leaning on a large sword. Canal construction equipment is just offshore, in the background. Caption: Uncle Sam — Well! Well! You boys have at last had a revolution which will help the whole world.

Comments and Context

Sometimes in cartoons, as well as texts — and perhaps more so, literally — history can “read between the lines.” Joseph Keppler Junior’s cover cartoon in Puck appeared one week after the United States and the new Republic of Panama concluded a treaty that recognized the latter’s national independence.

Behind that fact and the composition of the drawing, Keppler assigns negative aspects to the new government: short and diminutive compared to his sword; cocky; and disreputable-looking. Hardly a dignified depiction of a new, important American ally, perhaps. But there was a general suspicion that the United States and greedy rebels (and intermediaries) conspired to recognize the independence of a district in Colombia that had attempted revolutions scores of times through decades.

Charles Fletcher Lummis praises President Roosevelt for maintaining the Cuban treaty and protecting giant redwoods. However, he believes that the United States was wrong in its rapid recognition of the Republic of Panama.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-12

President Roosevelt encloses copies of his message about Panama. Matthew Hale had said that it was difficult to refute the statement that the revolution in Panama had been planned in Washington. Roosevelt believes that the burden of proof is on the person making that argument, and that statements about the date of his message about Panama are a lie. Roosevelt had planned to take the Isthmus through ethical and legal means before the revolution broke out.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-01-06

President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Gurney Cannon, Chairman of the Notification Committee, to formally accept his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and to approve the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention. In the letter, Roosevelt provides a comprehensive defense of his foreign and domestic policies and outlines what he believes are the major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in the upcoming election. Roosevelt discusses, among other topics, his position on international relations, antitrust legislation, tariffs, the gold standard, pensions for Civil War veterans, the military, civil service, commerce, agriculture, taxation, and self-government in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

In response to the Senate resolutions, President Roosevelt requests all documents, sent or received and of any kind, from the State Department related to the revolution in Panama since May 1, 1903.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-26

In response to the Senate resolutions, President Roosevelt requests all documents, sent or received and of any kind, from the Navy Department related to the revolution in Panama since May 1, 1903.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-26

In response to the Senate resolutions, President Roosevelt requests all documents, sent or received of any kind, from the War Department related to the revolution in Panama since May 1, 1903.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-26

President Roosevelt compliments Silas McBee’s editorial and was himself hesitant to mention the government’s activities related to the Panamanian revolution. There have been rumors that Philippe Bunau-Varilla advised the Panamanian revolutionaries of American intentions. However, Bunau-Varilla received no encouragement from Roosevelt or William H. Taft. Bunau-Varilla simply forecasted American interference based on previous actions.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-06

President Roosevelt appreciates John Bassett Moore’s help with the message, which turned out “pretty satisfactory.” Roosevelt directs Moore to a remarkable Le Matin article where Philippe Bunau-Varilla closely forecasted American actions in the event of a revolution in Panama. The article appeared before Bunau-Varilla had met with any American officials and even before Roosevelt had formulated his own policy.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-06