After the creation of the Panama Canal, the United States suffered criticism from the Europeans and lost some of their diplomatic stature.  Theodore Roosevelt’s statement “I took the canal”¹ caused controversy in the international world.  On the other hand, Roosevelt mediated a dispute between England, France, and Germany over territorial rights in Morocco, preventing a war within Europe.  In addition, his settling the Russo-Japanese war gained some respect in Europe for Roosevelt’s big stick diplomacy.