Which president criticized U.S. imperialism and advocated for a policy of anti-imperialism?

The choice of William Howard Taft aligns with the view of a president who expressed skepticism about imperialism, particularly in his later political career. Taft promoted a foreign policy known as "Dollar Diplomacy," which aimed to use American investment as a means of expanding U.S. influence abroad rather than direct military intervention often associated with traditional imperialism. While Taft did not outright oppose imperialism, his approach indicated a preference for economic influence and diplomacy over territorial acquisition, reflecting an anti-imperialist sentiment in contrast to more aggressive imperialist policies endorsed by some of his predecessors.

In reviewing the other presidents provided, Theodore Roosevelt is well-known for his aggressive foreign policy that included the expansion of American influence through military might and the construction of the Panama Canal. William McKinley presided over the Spanish-American War, an event that marked a significant step towards more direct U.S. imperialism. Woodrow Wilson, while advocating for self-determination and criticizing some imperialistic actions, still engaged in interventions in Latin America, which complicates his association with pure anti-imperialism.

Thus, while all of these presidents dealt with aspects of imperialism in their policies, Taft's specific approach and rhetoric generally suggest a critique of traditional imperialism,