Foreign Policy in the Progressive Era

Foreign policy became far more aggressive during the Progressive era when America joined the imperialistic world stage. America swiftly became the "Big Brother" of the Western World and kept a close eye on the numerous "little brothers" in Latin America. Foreign policy acts included the Panama Canal Tolls Act in 1912, and the Jones Act of 1916.

The Panama Canal Tolls Act, enacted by Taft, exempted American shipping from tolls provided they were from coast to coast. British complaints gave the anti-imperialistic Wilson an excuse to repeal the act in 1916.


The Jones Act, enacted by Wilson, ended the Philippines problem by granting the islands territrorial status, and the promise of independence as soon as a stable government could be established. That day came 30 years later, after America reclaimed the Philippines from Japan after WWII.