What does roosevelt mean by ""speak softly and carry a big stick""?

Roosevelt means that one should use reasoned foresight in order to deal with domestic and foreign policy and act justly in every case, "speak softly," and have a strong military in order to make the adversary aware of the consequences of his possible misdemeanours.  

Explanation:

Roosevelt used this peculiar aphorism in order to showcase the importance of  peaceful negotiations, whilst having a strong army as backup in case something goes wrong. This bears strong resemblance with , pursuing political decisions based on particular circumstances. The aphorism I also alludes to a Machiavellian use of power when the circumstance demands. The politician should thus negotiate peacefully, according to the circumstance at hand, and intervene with military power, whenever the situation demands.

answer; i believe that the correct answer is (tobacco);

the correct answer is:   "   3.6 % " .

          →   the unemployment rate is:   " 3.6 % " .

explanation:

to calculate the "unemployment rate" :

the "unemployment rate"   =

  [# of people unemployed] /   [working age population]   * 100 %   ;

                =   [9 million] / [250 million]     *   100 % ;

    →     note:   the units of "million" cancel out;

                    since:   " {million} / {million} = 1 " ;

                =   (9 / 250)   * 100 %   ;

                = 0.036 * 100 % ;

                =   3.6 %

answer:   the unemployment rate is:   " 3.6 % " .