Throughout history and even today, the United States continues to be a key power in world affairs. This was not the case during the early days of the United States’ construction when the country was establishing its foundation of government and organizing the country’s policies and procedures. One of the many documents written for this purpose was the Monroe Doctrine. This lesser-known document paved the way for the current foreign policy that we have today. However, our current policy has changed drastically from the original document as the United States has grown in world power. This document has played an important part in our country’s history and has had an influence on our country today. The Monroe Doctrine not only set up a foundation …show more content…
The Monroe Doctrine was an important document that set a foundation to foreign policy in the United States as we know it today. The doctrine was written in 1823 by James Monroe, who was president at the time, and John Quincy Adams, the secretary of state (Milestone: 1801-1829: Monroe Doctrine, 1823). Monroe wanted a distinction between the Old World of Europe and the New World in the Americas to be placed in a formal document which he “based on the assumption that (the two) formed separate political and diplomatic systems” (Foner 361). He believed that “the Old World and New World had different systems and must remain in distinct spheres (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). While John Quincy Adams favored a more dominant “economic role” for the US in the world (Foner 361). The document had three core proclamations that made it so important. The first statement made in the document said that “The US would not tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs” by countries in Europe looking to gain resources and power in the Americas (Monroe Doctrine (1823)). This bold statement showed that the US was a growing power in the world and would not stand for mass “European expansion in the Western Hemisphere” (Monroe …show more content…
Europe, a major power during this time period, was looking to expand not only in the many settled areas but also in the unsettled parts of the Americas as well. This included “France, which had designs on Cuba, and Russia, which was seeking to expand its holdings on the Pacific coast” (Foner 361). This called the US to action with establishing the Monroe Doctrine. Also, with the US recently gaining independence from Britain during this time and wanting to expand their influence of trade and commerce in the region, the US wanted a “clear break between the New World and the autocratic realm of Europe” (Milestones: 1801-1829: Monroe Doctrine 1823). Along with trade, the US had plans of westward expansion and did not want countries in Europe to gain control of those regions. With the Monroe Doctrine in place “by the mid-1800’s the doctrine along with Manifest Destiny helped in US expansion westward” (Milestones: 1801-1829: Monroe Doctrine 1823). This action advanced the US territory further west and pushed for economic growth of the nation, both ideals promoted by Monroe and
foreign policy put out in a speech by President James Monroe on December 2, 1823. Its four basic principles were that the U.S. would not interfere in the internal affairs of or the wars between European powers, that the U.S. would not interfere with existing European colonies in the Western Hemisphere, that the Western Hemisphere was closed to future colonization and that if a European nation tried to control or interfere with a nation in the Western Hemisphere, the United States would view it as a hostile act against this nation. This came about because of growing concern that Spain would reclaim sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere and the fact that Russia was expanding southward toward the Oregon Territory and had territorial ambitions in the Pacific Northwest. The British supported this idea because they too had concern that after France helped put down a rebellion against the Spanish monarch that this might lead to a joint French-Spanish expedition to retake the Latin American colonies for Spain. British foreign minister George Canning suggested to American minister in London, Richard Rush that a joint declaration opposing such a development would be in both their interests.
The Monroe Doctrine was created and claimed that it was to protect all Latin American Countries from European intervention. The Monroe Doctrine was not designed to protect the Latin American countries from European intervention but for the benefits that came with creating it. The men who created the document were all interested in the presidential election. They wanted to have as many people as possible to be in their favor so they could win the election. For example, Adams was the only candidate who was not a slaveholder.
The Monroe Doctrine was a threat to European nations for multiple reasons. To begin with, the Monroe Doctrine was a document that was written by John Quincy Adams. The states that were affected by the Monroe Doctrine are the European countries and the independent, smaller countries such as Mexico. The main thesis of the Monroe Doctrine is that America has forbidden Europe from invading other individual countries. The doctrine is a threat because it states that foreign countries are forbidden to enter and colonize land in the western hemisphere.
Prior to the Oregon Treaty negotiated by Polk and Britain, the territory was undisputed. Britain had harbored their warships on the California harbors. That was one of many threats made by a European power. Another defiance against the Monroe Doctrine had to do with France when it tried to protectorate independent; former Mexican territory. President Polk felt that he had to emphasize once more that European nations needed to stay out of the western hemisphere for their own benefit to prevent war.
Monroe declared that America’s role was in protecting the hemisphere from further European advancement. But what does that mean? Thankfully, through Jay Sexton’s, The Monroe Doctrine, we can understand how Americans envisioned themselves in
After America declared its independence from Great Britain, the new nation went through various transitions in the quest to establish a new government. In addition, after many changes and attempts to do this, the United States Constitution was finally ratified leading to the commence of the American experiment. Furthermore, during this time period many events were occurring which had a significant impact on the U.S and which would leave an everlasting legacy behind. For instance, during these events the President had a great role in the growth of the nation. Therefore, it was during these events that the President had to act in and make choices for the best interest of the new nation.
This document did not change anything for America, it did not give us any territory or rights to U.S. ships or
This would contradict the isolationist statement of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, and force more direct relations with other
Most important, James Madison and America in war. For Madison and the War Hawks, the declaration amounted to a second war of independence for the new Republic. It also provided the opportunity to seize Canada, drive the Spanish from west Florida, put down the Indian uprising in the Northwest, and secure maritime independence. In the preparations for battle, it became clear that most of the War Hawks wanted a land invasion of Canada above all else. Accordingly, the United States moved quickly to mount an offensive against Canada.
Before the American age of imperialism, they issued the Monroe Doctrine, stating United States dominance of the Western Hemisphere and warning Europe that their colonization was over. “The Monroe Doctrine was intended to discourage and prevent further colonialism and military intervention by European powers, especially Britain and Russia, in the Western Hemisphere and any attempts by European powers to exploit or endanger the growing independence of Latin American countries from the Spanish empire” (Gale Virtual Reference Library). Although expansionism around the year 1900 shared a similar motive with the earlier decades, it was encouraged by new economic and political pursuits. Past expansion involved annexing territory contiguous with the existing states that enabled the spread of American settlement; it was utilized for the spread of agriculture and the American population, and all acquired territory was intended to ultimately become states. Now the new territory in the age of imperialism was wanted with the economic intent as a use of colony.
Nostra heard about the Monroe Doctrine and had some idea to change it up. Ithad no more of it to be used solely for economic dominance and imperialism by the United States, but in conjunction with its twenty neighbors, to defend the collective security of the Western Hemisphere. But changing the Monroe Doctrine only changed some of its power. Still, the Monroe Doctrine could still have advance American economic and political interests in the Western
The Monroe Doctrine was a speech given in 1823 by James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States, to the U.S. Congress concerning European presence in the Western Hemisphere. Monroe was becoming continuously concerned about European influence in the region. While the primary audience for this message was Congress, the intended audience was all European powers, including Russia, and Latin America. The events in Latin America before and after the Spanish-American War will be used as an example of the imperial reach by the U.S. The United States, ironically, became an imperial power through its mission outlined in the Monroe Doctrine to end European colonialism and imperialism.
Thesis Both Nationalism and Sectionalism developed concurrently during the Era of Good Feelings. The two main reasons why nationalism increased was because of Henry Clay’s American System and Monroe’s policy to increase nationalism. Clay’s AS created a better national infrastructure that tightened America together. Monroe’s policy was to promote national unity and America’s power, which strengthens nationalism.
At the start of the 19th century, America was already expanding its territory. In 1803, the United States of America had bought the Louisiana Territory, it was bought from France which had made the country two times larger. In 1819 Spain had given up their territory of Florida to the United States. President Monroe issued the “Monroe Doctrine” in 1823, its main purpose was to warn the European countries to not enter the Western Hemisphere. In order for America to achieve its goal of becoming an imperialist nation they had conquered other countries economically, culturally, and with a strong military in the late 1800’s.
James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, faced many challenges in office. The last of the old revolutionaries and of the Virginians, James Monroe was also the only presidential candidate to not have to run against another party. Hence the name coined during his presidency, “the era of good feeling.” There were many successful aspects of his presidency, such as the Monroe doctrine and the Missouri compromise. In addition to these though, James Monroe was only human and he did fail in office.