s. He began to distinguish between businesses that were simply big and businesses that were actually a threat to the public" (Lowman 452). In foreign affairs, Roosevelt was somewhat of a revolutionary. His Presidency was the one who acquired and built the Panama Canal. In 1850, the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was signed, binding the United States to go into a joint venture with the British on Canal project. America got out of that treaty in 1901, with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, giving the United States the sole right to build and fortify a Canal Zone.In 1902, America finally agreed on the spot to build the Isthmus Channel. It was in Panama. Only Panama was owned and operated by the Colombian government. Trying to get the portion of land needed, we sent secretary of state John Hay to Columbia. And in Columbia, Hay got a treaty signed called the Hay-Herran Treaty, this gave Columbia $250,000 annually and $10 million up front. All that was needed now was for each legislature to pass the deal; not America but Colombia turned this treaty down (LaFeber 193). This is where the infamous Talk Softly and Carry a Big Stick campaign came into place. He said of military encounters, "There is a homely adage which runs 'Speak softly and carry big stick, you will go far'"(Smith 56). Thus Theodore Roosevelt made history, with the refusal of the Hay-Herran Treaty by Columbia; Roosevelt put his plan to great use. He started a revolution in Panama.There had been problems in the past between Panama and Columbia. Including a 1901 scuffle in which the American Navy had to mediate (LaFeber 193). But given the fact that America could spare no more money towards the cause, Roosevelt did the next best thing protect the revolution in Panama. In 1903 America used their powerful navy to prevent the Colombian army from attacking the revolutionaries (LaFeber 193). Hay later inked the treaty called the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, giving America a ten-mile wide ...
