USA HISTORY

In August 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech that described the United States “good neighbor policy.” Roosevelt stated, “The American Republics to the south of us have been ready always to cooperate with the United States on a basis of equality and mutual respect . . . . We seek to dominate no other nation. We ask no territorial expansion. We oppose imperialism . . . . We believe in democracy; we believe in freedom; we believe in peace.” What BEST explains a reason why President Roosevelt supported this policy?

(A) to assert that the United States would not go to war to defend Latin America

(B) to convince Latin American countries to join a military alliance against fascism

(C) ** to ensure friendly relations with Latin America in the face of rising global tension

(D) to warn Latin American leaders not to align with the Soviet Union in the Cold War

Concept note-1: -Good Neighbor Policy, 1933 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office determined to improve relations with the nations of Central and South America. Under his leadership the United States emphasized cooperation and trade rather than military force to maintain stability in the hemisphere.

Concept note-2: -The “Day of Infamy” speech, sometimes referred to as just “The Infamy speech", was delivered by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, to a joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941.

Concept note-3: -This article argues more forcefully for recognizing the work of Herbert Hoover in establishing the major pillar of the policy-the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Latin America.

Concept note-4: -The two policies are unrelated. The Roosevelt Corollary applied only to Latin America, while the Good Neighbor policy dealt with Europe. The Good Neighbor policy rejected the precedent of armed intervention in Latin America that began under the Roosevelt Corollary.