Thursday, February 13, 2014

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick

The widespread use of 'speak softly and carry a big stick' began with American president Theodore Roosevelt. In a letter to Henry L. Sprague, on January 26th 1900, he wrote:
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far"

Using your knowledge on United States Imperialism and Roosevelt's philosophy of "Big Sticks" interpret the meaning of this political cartoon. Follow these steps: 
1. What do you see in the picture, 
2. After making a list of items, what does it mean to you.
3. You have examples of Roosevelt's Big Stick Policy, what are some current examples of the United States using Roosevelt's analogy? 





30 comments:

Anonymous said...

1) Not being violent but have violent as back up if needed.

2) To me it mean that we don't need to use violence. But we have the power to.

3) Syria, and last year with the North Korean threats.

Unknown said...

1-On the picture we can see Theo Roosevelt carrying a big stick and leading the US navy fleet to Cuba.
2-There is a big stick, the US fleet, the colonel has a US banner around his neck, a gun and a knife and we can also see Santo Domingo. It shows the power of the US and also explain the Big Stick policy.
3-When the US invaded Iraq and Afghanistan.

Anonymous said...

I see in this picture that Theo Roosevelt is walking to every island and claiming it because treaty of paris

Anonymous said...

I see in this picture that Theo Roosevelt is walking to every island and claiming it because treaty of paris

Anonymous said...

1. I see Teddy Roosevelt leading the navy in the carribean into sant domingo with no shoes on.
2. It means to me that your actions are more important and represent you more than your words.
3. A current event that shows this is how we praise athletes in the winter olympics that win but do not brag about it.

Anonymous said...

that the US fleet is huge and that we are a huge power and its shower how powerful we are

Anonymous said...

I agree with your current event Lucas but I don't quite know if we have won that war.

Anonymous said...

Roosevelt is leading his country, being the bigger individual, but is not letting it destroy neither him nor his country. He means to say Let your power be seen, but never let it control you.

Anonymous said...

1. i see Theodore Roosevelt walking over the Caribbean island with a big stick while pulling/leading his boats.
2. to me it shows that he is able to do what he wants with his power but he stays humble.
3. America has a very good military but they are not exactly talking about it but proving it with actions.

Anonymous said...

an third answer Syria and the north korean threats last year

Anonymous said...

its a man pulling a boat to victory
violence if necessary
and i agree with marcus about syria and north korean threats

Anonymous said...

1. I see a giant Roosevelt carrying a big stick and pulling some ships like a wagon to Santa Domingo.
2. It means we have to stand strong and use actions more than words.
3. The Afghanistan War, Obama-
Care, and the attempt to control security on the Internet.

Anonymous said...

I see your point Marcus.

Anonymous said...

1. Roosevelt carrying a stick into a country.

2. Roosevelt with an american flag around his neck holding a stick. He is bringing in different ships. he is walking into a country. It shows how america is.

3. Any president?

Anonymous said...

1) I see Roosevelt taking all the land and taking it with him.
2)That he wants to claim everything and take it himself.
3)Pearl Harbor,Iraq

Anonymous said...

1. Don't be aggressive, but be extremely deadly in provokes.

2. It means that violence isn't always needed, but defense is needed.

3. The situation in Syria

Anonymous said...

1.) Roosevelt is leading the navy ships to the Caribbean.
2.)It means that actions speak louder than words.

Anonymous said...

1. Theo Roosevelt carrying a big stick walking through the Caribbean leading us navy fleet claiming the lands in it.
2. He was powerful and that he didnt take anything he lead the imperalism movement and was getting it done step by step.
3. How we go in an do what is needed with our army and navy and marines and getting it done with action.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

1.) Roosevelt is leading the navy ships to the Caribbean.
2.)It means that actions speak louder than words.

Anonymous said...

1) We can see Teddy Roosevelt carrying his "Big Stick" walking through the carribian.
2) It means that Teddy is not a man to back down.
3) When we invaded Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea

Anonymous said...

1) We can see Teddy Roosevelt carrying his "Big Stick" walking through the carribian.
2) It means that Teddy is not a man to back down.
3) When we invaded Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea

Anonymous said...

1. Teddy Roosevelt carrying a big stick in the water.

2. Teddy Roosevelt, US ships, and a big stick.

3. The North Korean bomb threats.

Anonymous said...

1. a big teddy Roosevelt, a stick a beach.
2. it means that teddy is coming to liberate the area.
3. when we went to infiltrate syria

Anonymous said...

1.In the picture you see a huge Roosevelt. Roosevelt has a big stick in his hand. He leads the Navy to Cuba.
2. It means to me that America doesn't have to be violent but the are a world power now and they could be.
3. The North Korean Conflict

Anonymous said...

1) Theodore roosevelt carrying a stick showing he can use violence if needed.
2)Big stick, flag, theodore, and a gun. They have the power to use violence but they would rather not
3) iraq

Anonymous said...

i see a person with a big giant stick
The united states has most of the power over other people even today
i have to say Syria last year

Anonymous said...

i agree with you marcus on syria

Anonymous said...

1) someone carrying a big stick which mean there in charge
2) we dont need to use violence but we sure have the power to use it
3) Syria last year with north Koreans threat

Anonymous said...

Marcus i totally agree with you 100%