Evolution of the Monroe Doctrine Essay

The end of the nineteenth century marked a significant change in the American foreign policy. Prior to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, America had paid little attention to foreign affairs. When compared to some of the more powerful European countries, such as France, Germany, and Great Britain, the United States had a

The United States fifth president, James Monroe, wrote the Monroe Doctrine. He wrote it as a response to the Czar of Russia diplomatic inquiries. The Czar of Russia’s inquiries involved how the United States would answer if European colonization were restarted in the Western Hemisphere. In the Monroe Doctrine, President Monroe responded, in the seventh annual message to congress, by proclaiming four very important points. The first point was that the United States would not get involved in European dealings. Monroe stated that they would not be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. He went on to say that they would do well in their efforts among those to be considered equal among like nations of the earth. Monroe took a strong stance toward the independence of the United States. He also challenged

In my opinion, I do not believe that we follow the Monroe Doctrine as the foreign policy as the way President Monroe would have intended it or meant it to be used as. One of the reasons I believe this is because during the time that this was created all the stronger European nations at the time, Spain, Great Britain, and France, were looking for new territories to expand their country into. This was also during the time the Americans had just claimed their independence from

The Monroe Doctrine and George Washington’s Farewell Address are two important documents in American history. The Monroe Doctrine addresses expansion complications, while Washington’s farewell address advises the future leaders on running the country. Monroe denies further colonization from European powers, and explains the actions that would take place if attempted colonization occurred. Most everything included in the Monroe Doctrine is consistent with Washington’s advice in his Farewell Address. These documents are crucial to the United States’ foreign policy.

On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe articulated his seventh annual message to Congress. This message presented Americans with a statement that changed the way the Western Hemisphere would be view and how international affairs toward the new Latin colonies would be handle from this point forward. It addressed European nations in particular and stated that “the United States would not tolerate further colonization or puppet nations” The Monroe Doctrine was initially designed to protect the Latin colonies but later President Theodore Roosevelt extended the Doctrine to include the United States would be the policing powers of the Western Hemisphere, this became known as the Roosevelt Corollary. Roosevelt stated that the United

The Monroe Doctrine had three main concepts that were “designed to signify a clear break between the New World and the autocratic realm of Europe”(www. history.state.gov). These concepts were: “separate the spheres of influence for the Americas and Europe, non-colonization, and non-intervention”( www. history.state.gov). Monroe stated, “The American continents . . . are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers”.

President Monroe wrote in the Monroe Doctrine, “ . . . .We owe it therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. . . .” This showed that America was taking all other countries as a threat as long as they tried to control areas in their hemisphere. This meant America was all about keeping their own country safe.

In this essay I will be explaining to you all on how the Monroe Doctrine came to be, who the document was authored by and how they gained the inspiration and where he got his ideas for this document from. I will explain what nations were affected by the policies of the Doctrine which I will explain in a little bit. I will explain how this document helped the Mexican President Juarez in successfully revolting against the Emperor Maximillian of the French. I will also cover how the British affected the document and also how President Roosevelt wanted to extend the Doctrine with his “Roosevelt Corollary.”

Until the end of the nineteenth century, American foreign policy essentially followed the guidelines laid down by George Washington, in his Farewell Address to the American people: “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is—in extending our commercial relations—to have with them as little political connection as possible.” By avoiding

In the late 1860’s, almost directly after the civil war, the United State’s influence in the world rose drastically. They had expanded territorially westward, and had experienced a population boom. With the industrial revolution modernizing how goods were being made and transported, many politicians debated whether or not the US should expand its borders outside of the clearly marked boundaries. The debate was heated, as some politicians didn’t want to act like other European countries at the time, such as France, Spain, Britain or Portugal. They sought to have a modest country with little dominance over other countries. Contrary to these politicians, others wanted the US to enforce their growing power over nearby territories in order

At the turn of the century, and after gaining our independence, the United States land mass more than doubled through the use of purchasing, annexing, and war. However, the foreign policy of our government took a predominately isolationist stand. This was a national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries. General Washington shaped these values by upholding and encouraging the use of these principles by warning to avoid alliances in his farewell speech. The reasoning behind these actions was that the Republic was a new nation. We did not have the resources or the means to worry about other

Through the strong foundation of Isolationism and the policies enacted such as The Monroe Doctrine, the United States played a largely neutral role in foreign affairs. The Monroe Doctrine passed in 1823 was to forbid European nations from colonizing any territory in the Western Hemisphere. Although the United States didn’t have the authority or firepower to back this up, it resulted in almost four decades of compulsory US involvement in any foreign affair. After the Civil War, Isolationistic practices grew stronger as the government had to find a way to re-unite the torn nation. President Grover Cleveland promised to avoid committing the nation to form any alliances with other countries while also opposed to the acquisition of new land. The climate of post Civil War US prevented us from deep involvement in foreign affairs. Our navy was also weakened by the war. Our natural resources were scarce and our diplomatic relations with other countries had been neglected. With the attention of our government focused solely on our nation, we proceeded to develop our interior. One of the biggest reasons for growth in US land mass was the public idea of Manifest

able to learn the specifics of this corollary to the Monroe Doctrine and better understand the

In their book American Foreign Policy since World War 2, Steven W. Hook, and John Spanier take a historical look at American foreign policy. Since its independence, all through to the start of the 20th century, the United States had a policy of detachment. This was rooted in the believe that Europe, the only other meaningful powerful in the world in the 18th and 19th century, had intrinsic issues related to feudism that kept the continent in a constant state of war (Hook & Spanier, 2015). The U.S on its part was far away from Europe and had a unique chance to chart a different course, one free from the troubles of Europe. As a democracy free from the class systems of Europe and hence maintain peace and stability (Hook & Spanier, 2015). To maintain this peace and stability, it was in the United States interests to maintain detachment from Europe. In fact, Monroe wrote that Europe and its flawed system was evil and America should strive as much as possible to stay away from it (Hook & Spanier, 2015). However, in the 20th century, this policy of detachment was put to the test when the United States was drawn into the first and second world wars by external factors. This led the United States to get more engaged in global affairs. The idea behind engagement was to promote the ideals of democracy which, the U.S believed were the pillars of peace, as well as to protect itself from aggressors like Japan in the Second World War. After the

American foreign policy has gradually changed since the birth of our nation. On July 4, 1891, John Quincy Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives during a powerful Independence Day speech designed to prevent an alliance with the Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Although sympathetic to their cause, he warned against involving America in other states’ affairs, stating,” America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to Freedom and independence of all”. This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of John Quincy Adams’ statement, examine the trends of foreign policy and national security from the late nineteenth century to the present, and address current policy issues regarding