The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine

Summary

• In 1823 U.S. President James Monroe proclaimed the U.S. protector of the Western Hemisphere

• Banned European powers from colonizing additional territories in the Americas

Poll

Prediction: Is Europe going to obey the Monroe Doctrine

• No

• Not at First

• Yes

Summary

• In return, Monroe committed to not interfere in the affairs, conflicts, and colonies of Europe

• Problem! U.S.A could not enforce it

Open Ended

WE JUST THREATENED ALL OF EUROPE: Don't come into my yard or else! What is your reaction to all this?

Tenants

• (1) the United States would not interfere in the internal affairs of or the wars between European powers

• (2) the United States recognized and would not interfere with existing colonies and dependencies in the Western Hemisphere

Tenants

• (3) the Western Hemisphere was closed to future colonization

• (4) any attempt by a European power to oppress or control any nation in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States

Open Ended

Questions?

Importance

• Initially a hands-off approach to foreign policy: "You stay on your side and we stay on our side".

• Laid the groundwork for the U.S. acting as the protector of the World

Motivations

• The U.S. was worried that European nations would encroach on the U.S. sphere of influence by carving out colonial territories in the Western Hemisphere

• Particularly worried about Russia, who planned to expand into the Oregon territory, and about Spain and France trying to reclaim their lost colonies

Open Ended

Do you think the U.S.A. was justified in its motivations? Do you think the U.S. had a good reason to threaten Europe this way?

Long-Term Impacts

• The 1904 Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine asserted the U.S. role as policeman of the Western Hemisphere and its right to involve itself in the affairs of Latin American countries

• U.S.A becomes the protector of the world after World War II

• Also.... May 5th

Multiple Choice

Final Question: What did the Monroe Doctrine do?

• Banned the Slave Trade

• Banned all future colonies in the Americas

• Allowed only certain nations to trade with the U.S.A

• Declare war on all colonies in the New World