What justification did the U.S. provide for occupying Haiti and the Dominican Republic?

The justification for U.S. occupation in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic primarily centered around protecting American investments and maintaining order. During the early 20th century, the U.S. had considerable financial interests in the Caribbean, and political instability in these nations posed a threat to those investments. By intervening, the U.S. aimed to ensure that these countries remained politically stable and economically favorable for American business.

The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine played a significant role in justifying such interventions. It asserted the U.S.'s right to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize the region and prevent European intervention. This rationale was used to support military actions in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic during periods of upheaval, thus prioritizing American economic interests and geopolitical stability over the internal political developments of these nations.

While promoting democratic governments or supporting independence movements might sound noble, in practice, the motivations were largely tied to American economic concerns rather than true support for self-determination or democratic principles. The spread of Christianity, though significant in some contexts, was not a primary justification for these occupations.