Answered on
The Monroe Doctrine was a United States policy that was introduced on December 2, 1823, during President James Monroe's seventh annual message to Congress. The primary objective of the Monroe Doctrine was to warn European nations that the United States would not tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs in the Americas. The Doctrine was established to ensure that the Western Hemisphere was free from European intervention and to convey that any attempt by European powers to influence or control any nation in the Americas would be seen as a hostile act against the U.S.
The Monroe Doctrine had four basic points: 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. 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.
The Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the Americas for many years, reflecting the growing spirit of American nationalism and the country's position as a guardian of the New World against Old World monarchies. However, in practical terms, the Monroe Doctrine was initially not enforceable as the U.S. military was not strong enough to prevent European colonization. It was the British Royal Navy that essentially enforced the doctrine, as the British also sought to prevent the re-establishment of Spanish colonies, which could hinder British trade with the Americas.
Over time, as the U.S. grew in power, the Doctrine was invoked during various instances to justify American intervention and influence in the region. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, made by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, went a step further and asserted the right of the United States to intervene in the affairs of Latin American nations if they were viewed as unstable. The Monroe Doctrine has been cited by many U.S. presidents in the context of Latin American relations and shaped much of the U.S.'s foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere well into the 20th century.