Which of the following best describes how the United States understood its role in Central and Latin America early in the 20^th century?

A) teacher
B) policeman
C) father
D) judge

The United States saw itself as a "policeman" in Central and Latin America in the early 20th century, a concept embodied in the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which asserted the right of the U.S. to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries to stabilize the economic affairs of small states in the Caribbean and Central America if they were unable to pay their international debts. This policy was part of the broader U.S. approach to foreign policy in the region, often referred to as "Big Stick" diplomacy.