|
The doctrine declared against
foreign colonization, or intervention in the Americas, and
the intention of the United States to remain neutral in
European wars.
What is a Doctrine?
A Doctrine is a set of beliefs,
creed or ideology held by a political party and used as a statement
of government policy, especially in relation to foreign affairs. The
Monroe Doctrine reflected the views and beliefs of the Monroe
administration. The Monroe Doctrine was first set out in a speech to
Congress by President James Monroe on December 2, 1823.
Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
The question of "who wrote the
Monroe Doctrine?" should be addressed as its very name indicates the
author was James Monroe. Untrue. The main author of the Monroe
Doctrine was John Quincy Adams, the future president. John Quincy
Adams was member of Monroe's cabinet in the position of Secretary of
State. As Secretary of State John Quincy Adams was responsible for
foreign affairs during Monroe's administration, the U.S.
government's equivalent of a Minister for Foreign Affairs. His tasks
included developing and defining the United States foreign policy.
James Monroe and the other members of his cabinet, including
John C.
Calhoun and William H. Crawford would also have had the opportunity
for input.
However, the main author of the Monroe Doctrine was John Quincy
Adams.
When was the Monroe Doctrine delivered to Congress?
The Monroe Doctrine was first
set out in a speech by President James Monroe in his annual message
to Congress on December 2, 1823.
What did the Monroe Doctrine state?
The content of the Monroe
Doctrine is as follows:
-
The Monroe
Doctrine stated that efforts by European nations to colonize
land in North or South America, would be viewed as acts of
aggression, requiring U.S. intervention
-
The Monroe
Doctrine stated that any interference by European nations with
states in North or South America, would also be viewed as acts
of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention
-
The Monroe
Doctrine stated that the United States would not interfere with
existing European colonies
-
The Monroe
Doctrine stated that the United States would not interfere with
the internal affairs of European countries
What was the Purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?
The purpose of the Monroe
Doctrine was to declare the United States opposition to
colonialism. (Colonialism is defined as the exploitation by a
stronger country of weaker one. Colonialism is the use of the
weaker country's resources to strengthen and enrich the 'mother
country')
Why was the Monroe Doctrine issued? What was happening in the
United States?
It was an exciting time for
the United States,
the new, expanding and independent nation was gaining power.
-
The
U.S. had won the War of Independence and demonstrated its
strength during the War of 1812.
-
The
1803 Louisiana Purchase had doubled the size of the United
States.
-
It was
the 'Era of Good Feelings'.
-
The
economic policy called the 'American System' was enabling
the nation to create new industries and build factories
reducing dependence on foreign goods. A program was underway
building new roads and canals to enable Americans to travel
west.
-
The
Rush-Bagot Treaty and the Convention of 1818 had signified a
improvement of diplomatic relations between the US and Great
Britain.
-
Then,
in 1819 the U.S. had successfully negotiated the Adams Onis Treaty gaining Florida
from Spain and setting out a boundary between the United
States and New Spain (now Mexico) and the problems of
Europe were highlighted.
The Monroe
Doctrine was the communication vehicle used by President Monroe
to convey to the American people, and foreign nations, the
strength of the U.S. and its determination to remain independent
and free of interference from any foreign nations.
Why was the Monroe Doctrine issued? What was happening in
Europe?
Events in Europe had entered a highly dangerous and volatile
era. The great European powers and their monarchies were
experiencing revolutions and rebellions by the people. These
events included:
-
The
French Revolution
-
The
Napoleonic Wars
-
Spanish colonies were rebelling and there was revolution in
the homeland - Spain was losing its grip on its empire
and its power had weakened in the New World
-
Rebellions in other European countries had led to Emperor
Francis I of Austria, King Frederick William III of Prussia,
and Csar Alexander I of Russia signing a treaty to form a
union called the Holy Alliance
-
All
the other monarchs of Europe, except King George IV of Great
Britain, joined the Holy Alliance to put down rebellions
-
The
Holy Alliance restored the Spanish king to his throne and
there was a serious threat that the Holy Alliance would send
warships and soldiers across the Atlantic to crush the
rebellions in the Spanish colonies
-
The
Czar of Russia was preparing to found colonies on the
western coast of North America
The Monroe
Doctrine was a strong message to European nations to keep out of
the United States and that any attempts at colonization or
interference with American affairs would be viewed as acts of
aggression, requiring U.S. intervention. The Monroe Doctrine was
received with enthusiasm by American citizens who hated
Europeans interfering with their affairs and encroaching on
their lands. The nationalist crry of "America for Americans" was
encouraged by the Monroe Doctrine.
The Monroe Doctrine for kids: Diplomatic Relations with the British
King George IV Great Britain
had declined to enter the Holy Alliance and had political
motives and financial motives to support Americans
in obtaining the freedom of
the Spanish colonists. Spain had refused to allow Spanish
colonists to buy British goods. But if they were free, the
colonists could buy goods wherever they pleased. The British
government had therefore proposed that the United States and
Great Britain should join in a declaration that the Spanish
colonies were independent states.
The Monroe Doctrine for kids: John Quincy Adams
As
Secretary of State John Quincy Adams needed to steer a careful
diplomatic course. He wanted to retain the good relations with
the British but had no intention of allowing the British to
influence American affairs. He wanted no European control of any
kind. He was also anxious to prevent this type of political
entanglement with the British, as he wanted a free hand to deal
with the Czar of Russia who was preparing to found colonies on
the western coast of North America. The content of the Monroe
Doctrine made it clear that the United States was completely
independent from any European nation. However, the British were
the only European nation to agree with the content of the Monroe
Doctrine and they contributed to its enforcement by using the
British navy to keep foreign powers out of the New World (this
was part of the Pax Britannica, which enforced the neutrality of
the seas). The British government also informed the members of
the Holy Alliance that their interference in American affairs
would be resented.
The
Significance of the Monroe Doctrine for kids: Why was the Monroe Doctrine
important in 1823?
What was the significance of the Monroe Doctrine? The Monroe
Doctrine sent clear message to Europe in 1823 stating that:
-
The United
States was is closed to colonization by any European power
-
America
had not interfered, nor would interfere in European affairs
-
It
regarded the extension of the organization of the Holy Alliance
to America as dangerous to the United States
-
United
States of America would regard the interference of the Holy
Alliance in American affairs as an "unfriendly act." that would
lead to war
The Monroe Doctrine Achievements
The
achievements of the Monroe Doctrine led to:
-
The Holy
Alliance giving up all their plans to crush the Spanish
colonists
-
The Czar
of Russia agreed to found no colonies south of fifty-four
degrees and forty minutes north latitude which was then the
recognized southern boundary of Russian America (present-day
Alaska) - also refer to the 1867
Purchase of Alaska.
The
Long Term Significance of the Monroe Doctrine: Why
was the Monroe Doctrine important to America?
What was the long term significance of the Monroe Doctrine to the
nation of America?
The Monroe
Doctrine was important to the nation because:
-
The words of
the Monroe Doctrine
would define the
foreign policy of the United States for many
years
-
The principle and
ideas of the Monroe Doctrine would be brought
into play by many U.S. politicians and several
U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt,
John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon B.
Johnson
Long Term Significance of the Monroe Doctrine:
Objections based on Monroe Doctrine principles
The long term significance of the Monroe Doctrine
are illustrated in the handling of foreign
diplomatic affairs in which the United States based
their objections on the principles of the Monroe Doctrine.
Some famous examples of these are:
-
The 1842
annexing of Hawaii - Britain told not to
interfere
-
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine - To prevent
European nations interfering in the affairs of
countries in the Caribbean and Central America
-
1895
Venezuela Crisis - warning to the British not to
interfere
-
1962
Cuban Missile
Crisis - U.S. warns the Soviet Union on
Cuba
-
The
Truman Doctrine
(1947) overturned many elements of the Monroe Doctrine due to Soviet expansion
and the spread of communism during the Cold War
|
