Roosevelt, a former Rough Rider whose victory at San Juan Hill brought him fame and political prosperity, adopted an aggressive foreign policy. Although Roosevelt propelled domestic reform under the federal government with his new nationalism, his big-stick politics ran counter to American traditions. While seeking to build the Panama Canal, Roosevelt was denied rights to the isthmus by Colombia. As a result, he supported the Panamanian Rebellion in 1903, only to gain permission to open the canal once Panama gained its independence. Going to such magnitude was a degree no president had achieved before, illustrating how imperialist ideals were moving America away from its old approaches to foreign situations. Additionally, when the president adopted “the Roosevelt Corollary,” he created a greater separation between the new and old expansionism. Under this corollary, the United States would serve as a "police power" in the Western Hemisphere, giving America superiority over certain nations and, as Roosevelt declared, "all question of interference would be ended." of this nation.” (Document F) Although the corollary was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, it gave the United States an expansionist power it had never previously controlled, thus changing the perspective of American imperialism. The United States will now monitor and "strengthen the bonds of civilized society ».