President James Monroe presented this doctrine as part of his annual message to Congress in December 1823. He proposed it at a time when the Old World powers were losing their colonial interests in the New World. The United States had recognized the former colonies of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Colombia as independent nations in 1822. Monroe was in the unenviable position of trying to maintain a strong stance with the European powers, who were struggling over a balance of world power. When the British suggested that the United States should ally with them in order to impede French and Spanish interference in the Americas, Monroe had to make a decision. Greatly influenced by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Monroe chose to announce the new policy, which basically stated that the United States would not interfere in European matters and it would view any interference in the Americas as endangering our peace and happiness. The Monroe Doctrine set a precedent in U.S. foreign relations.
Note: The reference in the first paragraph to Russia refers to U.S. concerns that Russian influence would spread south from Alaska.
At the proposal of the Russian Imperial Government, made through the minister of the Emperor residing here, a full power and instructions have been transmitted to the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg to arrange by amicable negotiation the respective rights and interests of the two nations on the northwest coast of this continent. A similar proposal has been made by His Imperial Majesty to the Government of Great Britain, which has likewise been acceded to. The Government of the United States has been desirous by this friendly proceeding of manifesting the great value which they have invariably attached to the friendship of the Emperor and their solicitude to cultivate the best understanding with his Government. In the discussions to which this interest has given rise and in the arrangements by which they may terminate the occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers . . .
It was stated at the commencement of the last session that a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the condition of the people of those countries, and that it appeared to be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be remarked that the results have been so far very different from what was then anticipated. Of events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse and from which we derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators.
The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow-men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy to do so. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. The political system of the allied powers is essentially different in this respect from that of America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective Governments; and to the defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted. 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. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States. In the war between those new Governments and Spain we declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur which, in the judgment of the competent authorities of this Government, shall make a corresponding change on the part of the United States indispensable to their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal show that Europe is still unsettled. Of this important fact no stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied powers should have thought it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed by force in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such interposition may be carried, on the same principle, is a question in which all independent powers whose governments differ from theirs are interested, even those most remote, and surely none of them more so than the United States. Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power, submitting to injuries from none. But in regard to those continents circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible that the allied powers should extend their political system to any portion of either continent without endangering our peace and happiness; nor can anyone believe that our southern brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own accord. It is equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold such interposition in any form with indifference. If we look to the comparative strength and resources of Spain and those new Governments, and their distance from each other, it must be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hope that other powers will pursue the same course.
Document Analysis
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer.
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interferrence in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
1.Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer.
In a sense it was actually both a military threat and a diplomatic message but more so of the latter.It was a message to all the other countries of the world, mainly the European nations, that the U.S. would remain neutral and friendly with them as stated in these quotes: "The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow-men on that side of the Atlantic.""With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere." It was also a sort of threat saying that it would however not tolerate interference politically or militarily in their own hemisphere that would threaten their own system or that of any free and independent nation and would respond with force also as stated in these quotes: "It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.""...any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety."
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interference in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
They justify this policy by stating that they have fought to gain their new government and liberty.They have progressed as a nation through the wisdom of enlightened men, the Founding Fathers, and devote themselves to it.Even today these justifications still apply because the U.S. is not willing to sacrifice the relative peace and liberty that is maintained in N. and S. America to foreign powers.The U.S. is also not willing to let foreign powers interfere with how it governs its own people and makes policy for it was founded on ideals that were desperately fought for in the Revolutionary War and are continued to be fought for throughout the wars and battles since.
1. The Monroe Doctument was a diplomatic message to all european powers. " In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy to do so." This statement says that the U.S does not wish to take part in any wars that do not protain to them. Then later on in the document it states "It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense." which means they will only fight back if they feel threatened or have been attacked. This is not a military threat it is just stateing the U.S will not allow other countrys to attack them without suffering concequences.
2. The U.S has gone though struggle after stuggle to maintain a balenced country. They do not wish to risk it by getting into other countrys affairs. The U.S does not want to get into wars that do not protain to them so Monroe wrote this document. This still applies in most cases in the U.S but sometimes we are forced to fight when we are not provoked as an exsample Japan is our allie but they do not have a standing army if they are attacked we have to send in troops to protect them and also if other allied nations need us.
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer.
1. The Monroe Doctrine was a military threat. In this document, it states that the United States isn't going to get involved with other countries and their wars, as stated in this quote, "It is going to stay a friendly country..are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers . . ."
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interferrence in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
The justifications that the United States provides for this specific policy it that we have come to far to play around with our freedom just to help another country out. It also states that we will let the countries battle it out themselves, "It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hope that other powers will pursue the same course.
The Monroe Doctrine was a diplomatic message but there was language in the doctrine that let other powers know that if they chose to ignore the message then the United States would organize its military forces against them.Throughout the document there is a call for peace.The document is just asking that no European power try to colonize anywhere on the American continent.The document goes on to say that the United States has friendly sentiments toward the people on the other side of the Atlantic and that we have never gotten involved in any wars there.The message though is given to other powers that only when our rights are invaded or seriously menace that we will make preparation for our defense .
The United States justifies this policy by repeating throughout the document that they are a free and independent nation and that they have remained neutral in the wars between European nations.They explain that they have fought and that there was much blood shed in order to gain their independence as a nation. They state that it is the policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hopes that other powers will pursue the same course.The justifications apply today as far as preventing foreign interference in the United States and the other countries of North America.The part that does not apply is that the United States does not always remain neutral in wars and disputes between other foreign nations.I dont think that the justification fully applies to South America because U.S. relations with those countries are strained.
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer. The Monroe Doctrine was largely a diplomatic message and a declaration to the foreign powers of Europe. He states, In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy to do so. He makes a point that war itself is not his goal, rather it is responding to the threats to the safety and liberties of the American people and that It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. This statement also makes it clear that the United states will in its own defense declare war on any European sovereignty that would threaten the natural rights of its people.
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interference in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers. said James Monroe justifying the United States policy in the Monroe doctrine. He saw that engaging in European affairs would not be advantageous and the interference of those nations could pose a threat to the country, as opposed to focusing on the issues of this hemisphere.
These policies are still viable, even today. The U.S. sill maintains those foreign policies by keeping to ourselves and avoiding continuing to avoid foreign interference. Until recent years the U.S. and the rest of the world were very dispatched, and as a result of increased foreign imports and increased involvement in world matters the country has been weakened by decreased domestic manufacturing, increased hostility toward us from other nations, ect; which are all results of the tearing down of that international political wall which keeps us separate from the rest of the world and its issues without isolating us completely.
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer.
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interferrence in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
Answers
1. The Monroe Doctrine was a diplomatic message. In the doctrine, James Monroe makes it clear that the Americas are closed off to further colonization by other countries. This is not a threat; it is merely a statement. He also requests that the united staes not be involved in and foreign conflicts. Monroe says that he will see it as a threat if countries try and settle on American land. "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". By this he means that he is not looking for war, he just wants the U.S to be left alone.
2. In the Monroe Doctrine, Monroe states again and again that the U.S. does not wish to be involved in foriegn afffairs. The nation is still building and the last this it needs is to go at war with another country. Today, the U.S. does not wish to involve itself in the affairs of neighboring countires such as Mexico and Canada because again, the last thing the U.S. needs is to go to war with a neighboring country, especially when we are at war right now.
1. The Monroe Doctrine was a diplomatic message. The quote "It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense" means that they will only fight others when they are threatned or are attacked.
2. In the document it says that the United States doesnt want to get caught up in a war that they have nothing to do with. Also they do not want to loose the freedom they have earned throught the years. These statements do still apply today. We dont want to get into a war if we have no reason to.
The Monroe Doctrine was more of a diplomatic message than one of war.He states in the second to last paragraph, we declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere.He then goes on of course to mention that if situations should change, then that neutrality should change.Then in the last paragraph he says that they should leave foreign powers alone, in the hopes that they do the same for America.
2. America worked very hard to get to where it was.Therefore they should not mess around in other countries affairs.They are not going to risk their neck to help some other country when theirs is just being set up.Yes, we should not interfere with the issues concerning separate countries unless they specifically involve us.All countries were able to set themselves up, they should be able to care for themselves, and we do not need to save everyone
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer.
The Monroe Doctrine clearly is a diplomatic message. In the doctrine Monroe says It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense This means that the U.S. only retaliates. So if you start messing our country, of course we are going to fight back. Another quote that seems to make it a message rather than a threat is "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". By saying this Monroe doesnt want to fight in a war, he rather have peace and safety. Basically this diplomatic message talks about the military but it is not a threat.
2. What justification does the United States provide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interference in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context.
The justification that the United States provides for this specific policy is that they are an independent country which is now free. The United States has remained in the neutral in wars when European countries have been fighting each other. Today, the United States does not get involved in foreign affairs with our neighboring countries. We need allies not enemies. One of the reasons is because of the war against terrorism, which we are currently involved in. The last thing we need is another problem with a neighboring country.
Sorry, but many of you have a misunderstanding of history, specifically foreign policy, in the 20th century and the US's role in Latin America if you believe that the US doesn't start wars or get involved in the internal (or external) affairs of other nations. It is the direct intent of our foreign policy to do just that as a means to protect our 'national interests'.
We'll learn more about this as time goes on, but if any of you have specific questions, please ask.
1. I find that the document was a diplomatic resolution more than a military threat to other governments. Its difficult to sense a threatening menace in the words of Monroe in the manuscript. In all actuality, the document in a very elaborate rendition of the following statement: we (the American nations) should consider any attempt on their part (the European powers) to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. Monroe states that the Americans have no plans on interfering in European affairs, and hope a similar political stance would be achieved by other nations in response. Simply because the US government adamantly chose to function impassively, doesnt mean the Monroe Doctrine was a threat to European society. 2. The US justifies its position by drawing upon the bloodshed and struggle it has already suffered through as a young nation. Essentially, it has fought tirelessly to even have the privilege to manage its own affairs. Because of this, and the efforts of enlightened individuals, the US believes the Americas are reserved the right of non-interference. I dont feel these justifications apply today in present day foreign policy. I believe there are reasons other than those specified to justify the prevention of interference in the Americas.
1. In this message they are not threatening for the most part. They are saying they willl only push if they are pushed first. "In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy to do so. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense."
2. They believe they fought to hard and with the help of some enlightened men they came up with the independent government that they are trying to protect and develop. They keep repeating how they did not get involed with european affairs and they wish the same from european powers. They just will only fight if it has something in it for them as a government. A.K.A very selfish. Our government is just about the same way today. For example if the area being attacked is a staple in our economy (Venezuala....Probably spet wrong) we will protect it.
1. Was the Monroe Doctrine a military threat or a diplomatic message? Draw inferences from specific quotes to support your answer. The Monroe Doctrine was a diplomatic message to the European powers that were trying to help Spain regain its colonies in America. At the time of the war between Spain and the other European powers, we(the United States), were neutral, but if we were attacked first, we would fight back. We were trying to stay out of European affairs and in return we would hope that they would do the same. "the United States would not interfere in European matters and it would view any interference in the Americas as endangering our peace and happiness." 2.What justification does the United Statesprovide for this specific policy? Do those justifications apply today as well to prevent foreign interferrence in North and South America? Why or why not? Explain in context. The United States stated that they were going to treat the European countries as we would like to be treated by staying out of their affairs. We were trying to stay neutral while the other countries battled. Today the United States tries not to get involved, but sometimes we get roped in to helping our allies. Today we still try our best to stay neutral in battles but sometimes we just have to help our friends.
