Causes Of The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine of December 2, 1823, was indeed crucial for American foreign policy. In fact, it was a motivational and inspirational speech as a part of the annual presidential’s message to the Congress. The occasion for the doctrine was the vision of expanding America during James Monroe’s presidency. Even though the doctrine took Monroe’s name, it was in reality drifted by John Quince Adams (Monroe’s secretary of state) because he feared that Spain would try to regain the Latin American colonies which had just gained their independency. Latin America was a major market for British goods, and Adams wished for the United States to take Britain’s role. Obviously, he wanted Europe out of the picture. Additionally, Russia was posing a threat with the possible colonization of Alaska.

America was not to be considered for future colonization by Europe, because it was the land of the free. The speech was meant to cast light on the independent condition of the United States. For this reason, American was not going to take part in any European war. Only in the event in which the United States were to be threatened and put in danger, a war could be considered in order to protect America’s rights, peace and safety. In addition, the events in Spain and Portugal had shown the instability of the European system, and Monroe didn’t want anything to do with Europe internal matters.

The Monroe Doctrine relates to the revolutionary and early republic period because it focuses on the matter of independence, just like the Declaration of Independence. That is why it was also called America’s diplomatic declaration of