Monroe Doctrine

Definition

The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. policy established in 1823, asserting that any European intervention in the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression, warranting U.S. intervention. This doctrine set the stage for future American foreign policy in Latin America, emphasizing a protective stance towards the region and asserting U.S. influence over it, which has had lasting implications for trade, security, and migration in contemporary contexts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Monroe Doctrine was articulated by President James Monroe during his annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823.
2. Initially, the Monroe Doctrine was primarily aimed at preventing European powers from colonizing or interfering in Latin American nations that had recently gained independence.
3. The doctrine was largely ignored by European powers initially but became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere over time.
4. The Roosevelt Corollary, added later by Theodore Roosevelt, expanded the Monroe Doctrine by allowing the U.S. to intervene in Latin America to stabilize economic and political situations.
5. The Monroe Doctrine has been invoked numerous times throughout history to justify U.S. actions in Latin America, influencing diplomatic relations and military interventions.

Review Questions

• How did the Monroe Doctrine influence U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America in the 19th century?
  • The Monroe Doctrine fundamentally shaped U.S. foreign policy by establishing a framework that prioritized American interests in Latin America and discouraged European intervention. It declared that any attempt by European nations to reclaim or expand influence in the Americas would be seen as a direct threat to U.S. security. This led to increased American involvement in Latin American affairs, as the U.S. sought to assert its dominance and protect its neighboring countries from foreign intervention.
• In what ways did later policies, like the Roosevelt Corollary, build upon the foundations laid by the Monroe Doctrine?
  • The Roosevelt Corollary extended the principles of the Monroe Doctrine by justifying proactive U.S. intervention in Latin America under the guise of maintaining order and stability. While the Monroe Doctrine primarily warned European nations against interference, the Corollary claimed that the U.S. had a right to intervene directly in Latin American countries facing instability or economic trouble. This shift emphasized a more assertive role for the U.S., leading to direct military interventions and further entrenching American influence in the region.
• Evaluate how the Monroe Doctrine has shaped contemporary issues regarding trade, security, and migration between the United States and Latin America.
  • The Monroe Doctrine laid a foundation for ongoing U.S. involvement in Latin American affairs that still resonates today. It established a precedent for interventionism that impacts contemporary trade agreements and security strategies aimed at countering external influences, particularly from China or Russia. Additionally, issues of migration can be traced back to this historical context; as economic instability or violence prompts migration towards the U.S., policies often reflect a historical understanding rooted in safeguarding national interests as outlined by the Monroe Doctrine.

Related terms

Manifest Destiny: A 19th-century doctrine that justified American territorial expansion across North America, based on the belief that it was the nation's divine right to expand its territory.

Big Stick Diplomacy: A foreign policy approach associated with Theodore Roosevelt, emphasizing diplomacy backed by the threat of military force to achieve U.S. interests in Latin America.

Interventionism: A policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries, often used by the U.S. in Latin America to promote political stability and protect American interests.