Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Policy first outlined by James Monroe in 1823, warning the European powers to refrain from involvement in the affairs of the western hemisphere. He warned that “the Americas [were] not to be considered subjects for future colonization….”

As the United States entered the 19th century, three events significantly augmented the young nation's confidence. First, Thomas Jefferson executed the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and doubled the nation's size. Second, the United States successfully withstood a British invasion in the War of 1812. Finally, James Monroe carefully orchestrated the annexation of Florida from Spain in 1819. These successes against the European powers fostered the nation's belief in its Manifest Destiny, a belief that the nation would expand and become the preeminent nation in the world.

However, turbulent events in both Europe and the western hemisphere threatened this vision. During the Napoleonic wars, French and Spanish colonies throughout Latin America declared their independence and overthrew their colonial governments. However, by 1823, the Bourbon dynasty regained the thrones of both France and Spain, and the two nations avidly discussed their desire to recapture their former colonies.

This prospect troubled the United States. Well aware of its own colonial heritage, the United States harbored a strong sympathy for the newly independent Latin American states. Additionally, the United States feared that France and Spain also wanted to establish new colonies on the North American continent, thereby impeding America's westward expansion. Furthermore, Alexander II, the Russian czar, was aware of the French and Spanish plans and spoke openly of developing a colony along North America's Pacific coastline.

[Page 477]Amid this uncertainty, the American government received a surprising proposal. In October 1823, British Foreign Minister George Canning suggested that the United States and Great Britain publish a joint declaration, warning France and Spain to abstain from any involvement in Latin American affairs. Following the Napoleonic wars, Great Britain virtually monopolized oceanic shipping and trade, and feared that new Spanish and French colonies in Latin America would jeopardize its maritime dominance. To help deter their European rivals, the British solicited the support of the United States.

At first, the offer gratified President Monroe and his administration. An alliance with Great Britain would apparently signal the United States' emerging prominence. However, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams argued vehemently against the alliance. Adams believed that to join the militarily dominant British would exhibit subservience to Great Britain, which the United States fought a revolution to overcome.

Eventually, President Monroe rejected the British offer and issued his own solitary statement. In December 1823, Monroe used his State of the Union Address to outline three key positions that eventually became known as the Monroe Doctrine. First, the United States would not allow any new colonies to be established in the western hemisphere. Second, Monroe forbade any European involvement in the affairs of independent Latin American nations. Finally, Monroe asserted that the United States would not interfere with relations between the European powers and their existing colonies.

Monroe's proclamation was somewhat disingenuous. The United States lacked the power to enforce this new policy and would still need to rely upon Great Britain's support. Still, his speech depicted the United States as an emerging world power, positioning it as the foremost nation in the western hemisphere and establishing a precedent for future administrations to follow.

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