The Monroe Doctrine established that European powers should not interfere or colonize in the Americas. It was a response to concerns that European powers, through the Holy Alliance, wanted to reestablish control over former Spanish colonies that had gained independence. While not an actual law, the doctrine asserted that further European colonization in the Americas would be viewed as aggression towards the United States. It supported Washington's isolationist policies and established the US as the dominant power in the Americas.

1. The Monroe Doctrine

2. Who was Monroe?
•5th President
•Anti-federalist
•Got 80% of vote.
•Had prior experience.
•Signified the "end of an era".

3. What was going on?
•End of Napoleonic Wars = establishment of
Holy Alliance.
•Holy Alliance wanted to reestablish Bourbon
control over Spain and colonies (Mexico,
Latin America)

4. Would jeopardize Britain's influence of trade in that
region.
Britain wants joint statement separating Old World from
New.
USA says, "That sounds like a good idea," then proceeds
to declare statement separating Old World from New.

5. The Actual Doctrine
•Monroe wanted to protect the newly
independent Spanish colonies.
• Any act of interference or colonization in the
Americas by a European power would be
received as an act of aggression towards the
United States.
• The US agreed to do the same.
• Not an actual law.

6. Reactions
•British supported it.
•Latin America supported it.
•The British enforced it the most.

7. Notable Future Uses
•1842 annexing of Hawaii.
•1862 French Invasion of Mexico by
Napoleon III.
• Venezuela Crisis of 1895.
• Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.
• The Roosevelt Corollary.

8. Overall Impact
•Supported Washington's isolationist policy.
•US became policemen of the Americas.
•US became undisputed power of the New
World.
• National security secured for the most part.
• US became heavily involved in Latin
American affairs, for better or worse.
• Ensured Latin American countries kept
control of their own people.

9. Sources
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/monroe.asp
http://history-world.org/monroe_doctrine.htm
http://www.monroedoctrine.net/