How did William Howard Taft's foreign policy differ from that of President Roosevelt?

William Howard Taft's foreign policy is often characterized by an approach known as "Dollar Diplomacy," which prioritized economic interests and investments over military intervention. This marked a clear distinction from Theodore Roosevelt's policy, which employed "Big Stick" diplomacy, emphasizing the use of military power as a means of influencing international affairs. Under Taft, the focus shifted to encouraging and protecting American business investments in foreign markets, notably in Latin America and East Asia. This strategy aimed not just to expand U.S. influence but to help stabilize and develop economies through financial means rather than direct military action.

Taft's administration sought to achieve foreign policy goals by promoting the idea that U.S. economic interests abroad would lead to mutual benefits for both the United States and the countries involved, contrasting with Roosevelt's willingness to use force to ensure such interests. Thus, Taft's approach was fundamentally different as it favored negotiation and economic engagement over military intervention as a primary tool of diplomacy.