[Speech] SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK. - Roosevelt's Diplomacy
Speak softly and carry a big stick.
/spik ˈsɒftli ənd ˈkæri ə ˈbɪɡ stɪk/
Foreign policy strategy
Theodore Roosevelt articulated his approach to foreign policy with this phrase, advocating for diplomacy backed by military strength. His strategy, known as "big stick diplomacy," influenced U.S. international relations and reinforced America's position as a global power. Roosevelt's pragmatic approach balanced negotiation with the potential for force, shaping early 20th-century diplomacy.
Background
Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States
Speech at Minnesota State Fair, September 2, 1901