Monroe Doctrine

Definition

The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. policy established in 1823 aimed at opposing European colonialism in the Americas. It asserted that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression, necessitating U.S. intervention. This doctrine played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and establishing the Western Hemisphere as a sphere of influence for the United States, particularly regarding North and Latin America.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed by President James Monroe during his annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823.
2. The doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization and any interference would be viewed unfavorably by the U.S.
3. Initially, the Monroe Doctrine had limited immediate effect but gained significance over time as a basis for U.S. interventions in Latin America.
4. The doctrine was invoked multiple times throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries to justify American actions in Latin America, including military interventions.
5. The Monroe Doctrine laid the groundwork for future U.S. foreign policy, establishing a precedent for America’s role as a regional power in the Western Hemisphere.

Review Questions

• How did the Monroe Doctrine influence U.S. relationships with European powers in the early 19th century?
  • The Monroe Doctrine significantly influenced U.S. relationships with European powers by clearly stating that any attempt by Europe to colonize or interfere in the Americas would be considered a threat to U.S. security. This bold stance demonstrated America's emerging confidence on the global stage and set boundaries for European involvement in regional affairs. It effectively established a political climate where European powers were deterred from expanding their influence in the Western Hemisphere.
• Evaluate how the Monroe Doctrine shaped later U.S. foreign policy decisions regarding Latin America.
  • The Monroe Doctrine laid a foundational principle for U.S. foreign policy, which evolved into a justification for intervention in Latin America under various administrations. Over time, it set a precedent for policies like the Roosevelt Corollary, which expanded U.S. interventionist strategies to maintain order in unstable Latin American nations. The doctrine's legacy can be seen through American actions that sought to protect its interests and influence throughout the region, often at the expense of local sovereignty.
• Assess the long-term implications of the Monroe Doctrine on both American diplomacy and Latin American sovereignty throughout history.
  • The long-term implications of the Monroe Doctrine on American diplomacy included establishing a unilateral approach to foreign relations where the U.S. acted as a protector and arbiter of power within its hemisphere. This led to multiple interventions, often undermining Latin American sovereignty and fostering resentment towards U.S. influence. Over time, while it reinforced America's dominance in regional affairs, it also contributed to complex relationships characterized by distrust and calls for independence from external influences, impacting how Latin American countries navigated their own paths in global politics.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: A 19th-century doctrine that believed it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America.

U.S. Isolationism: A foreign policy strategy that emphasized avoiding entanglement in foreign wars and alliances, particularly prevalent in the early to mid-20th century.

Roosevelt Corollary: An addition to the Monroe Doctrine articulated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, asserting the right of the U.S. to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability.