The Monroe Doctrine
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....explain how the Monroe Doctrine increased the power of the federal government and helped secure the United States from European invasion
On December 6, 1823, President James Monroe gave a State of the Union address. Part of the speech became known as the Monroe Doctrine. The “allied powers” Monroerefers to are Russia, Prussia, Austria, and France. Earlier in the year, these European monarchies had crushed a revolution in Spain and restored the Spanish king to his throne.They were threatening to help Spain regain its Latin American colonies. This document has become the center of US foreign policy, which emphasizes non-interference inEuropean affairs and a defense of neutral rights.
[T]he 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 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 result has been so far very different from what was then anticipated. . . . The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellowmen 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 comport1 with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced2 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,3 this whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore, to candor4 and to the amicable5 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 maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition6 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 more so than the United States.
1. comport: agree with.
2. menaced: threatened.
3. unexampled felicity: the greatest happiness.
4. candor: honesty.
5. amicable: friendly.
6. interposition: interference.
Monroe, James. (1823) The Monroe Doctrine. http://www.ushistory.org/documents/monroe.htm. (27 March 2009).
SOAP: “The Monroe Doctrine”
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Main Ideas
According to the introduction, what are the two important parts of the Monroe Doctrine?
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Why might Monroe refer to the United States as “the American continents?”
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What is Monroe’s opinion regarding the “great effort” to improve people’s lives in Spain and Portugal?
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What position does Monroe state that the US will maintain in European wars?
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Who does Monroe refer to when he “declares” that any “attempt” will be seen as “dangerous?”
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What reason does Monroe give for United States concern over events in Spain and Portugal?
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Critical Thinking
Why might the US want no more European colonies in the Americas, particularly in Latin America?
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For decades, the US lacked the military power to enforce the Monroe Doctrine – they depended upon the British navy to keep other powers out. Why,then, did the US proclaim the Monroe Doctrine?
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