A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Who did President William Taft send to Nicaragua in 1909?

1. 3000 troops

2. 500 troops

3. 1000 troops

4. Military advisors

The correct answer is: 3000 troops

In 1909, President William Taft sent 3,000 troops to Nicaragua primarily to protect American interests during a time of political instability in the country. The situation arose amidst a civil conflict and concerns about European influence in Central America following the revolution against President José Santos Zelaya. By deploying troops, the Taft administration aimed to establish and maintain stability in the region, reflecting the broader U.S. foreign policy of intervention in Latin America. This military action was part of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which justified U.S. intervention to maintain order in the Western Hemisphere. The deployment of a significant number of troops emphasized the seriousness with which Taft viewed the potential threat to American interests and provided a strong military presence to support the government aligned with U.S. interests.