What does the quote “speak softly and carry a big stick.” mean?

Big stick ideology, big stick diplomacy, or big stick policy refers to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy: "speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far."

It means stay out of things but use your biggest weapons when needed.

explanation: j

the triple alliance. germany and austria-hungary were already allies by 1879 when, worried about a threat from russia, they formed the dual alliance. italy joined the group in 1882. there was a concern about a possible attack from france and the alliance needed powerful friends to defend it.