Monroe Doctrine: Main Idea
Monroe Doctrine: Main Idea
Europe and America stay in their respective corners, and nobody gets hurt.
The United States will stay out of Europe's business and leave their colonies alone. However, if Europe tries to invade America's personal bubble and add some Latin American colonies to their empires, the U.S. will consider that move an act of aggression towards their own country as well. And then it's on.
Because Latin American countries are totally independent now, and it would be, shall we say say, unfortunate if someone got in the way of that independence. (Cue steepled fingers and ominous laugh.)
Questions
- Does the logic of Monroe's non-aggression declaration make sense given the context of the speech? Why would European intervention in Latin America be seen as hostile towards the U.S.?
- Is the Monroe Doctrine hypocritical at all? Why or why not?
- Do you think that the later uses of the Monroe Doctrine, especially by James K. Polk and Theodore Roosevelt, stay true to the original purpose of Monroe's statement?
Chew On This
The people of the United States were genuinely worried about more neighboring colonies coming under the rule of monarchies, because everyone knows governments spread like wildfire; that's why any loss of democracy down south was considered a threat.
The United States at this point is trying so hard to get into that cool club with all the world power, so Monroe bluffs to make America look like a force to be reckoned with.
Quotes
Quote #1
[...] 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... (4)
That's a pretty bold statement from a baby country to a region that's been conquering the globe for centuries. Especially since the U.S. started out as European colonies. What logic does Monroe use to justify his claim?
Quote #2
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. (9-10)
Well, he's not wrong. True, America's only been a thing for about fifty years at this point, but European countries have been warring amongst themselves for pretty much that entire time for one reason or another (they really should have explored yoga and deep breathing exercises). This "only in our house" approach is SOP until World War I.
Quote #3
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...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. (11, 14)
Here's the heart of the Monroe Doctrine: mess with anyone in our hemisphere, we'll take it personally. It's nice that he makes it sound like a friendly gesture though, because the sign of true friendship is honesty—and nonintervention.
Quote #4
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. (15-16)
Bonus points to Monroe for his excellent long-sentence-writing skills. What is Monroe's policy as he's laying it out here? Does it seem to jibe with the state of American government at this time, or do you see any conflicts?
Quote #5
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. (23)
The U.S. has a long history of trying to spread democracy and stop authoritarian styles of government (for further information, see: the 20th century). Monroe kind of gets the ball rolling here with his justification for playing Big Brother to Latin American republics. What's that justification?