Download Monroe Doctrine

Monroe
Doctrine
Background: Why?
The Monroe Doctrine was a response to 2 main
reasons:
 Their Latin American colonies had won their hardearned independence but Spain wanted to regain
those colonies. The Holy Alliance (Russia, Austria,
and Prussia) along with France was posed to help
Spain reconquer the colonies in South America. The
monarchial elements of Europe did not like any
form of revolt.
 America and Russia had a minor clash concerning
the northwest coast of North America. (Alaska)
Background: Who?
Great Britain: supported the continued
independence of the newly formed Latin
America governments. They benefited from the
open commerce that resulted from trading with
the new Latin American Countries.
United States: wanted to protect the democratic
governments of their newly formed neighbors
and also keep Europeans off of the Western
Hemisphere.
 Britain (in agreement with the US)
sent foreign minister George Canning
who proposed that American and Britain should
issue a joint warning to Europe.
 Monroe made a statement
 Statement of U.S. policy opposing European
interference in the affairs of the newly independent
nations of the Western Hemisphere. (NO MORE
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT IN THE US)
Four Main Points
1.
Countries of the Western Hemisphere were no
longer to be regarded “as subjects for future
colonization by any European powers”
2.
Political system of America was different from those
of Europe
3.
United States would regard any attempt by
European countries “to extend their system” to the
Western Hemisphere as a threat to its “peace and
safety”
4.
United States had no intention of interfering in affairs
of European powers nor disturbing existing colonies
in the Western Hemisphere.
Effects
Overall, the Impact of the Monroe Doctrine
was mixed. Success and Failure were both
evident…
Success
 European powers did not immediately
attempt to revive the Spanish empire
 France, Spain and other powers was kept
out of the Western Hemisphere
Failure
Britain would long remain the dominant
trade power in Latin America
“Justified” American imperialism in the
Western Hemisphere.
Latin American nations resented the Big
Brother behavior of the U.S.
Question:
What four principles did the Monroe
Doctrine set?