Our Affairs, Not Yours:
The Monroe Doctrine
By: Nita Tunga
Objective
• List one similarity and difference between the
Monroe Doctrine and the Declaration of
Independence
Monroe Doctrine
Background Info
• A document made by the United States
declaring that Europe should not interfere in
American affairs
• Named after President Monroe
• Written by Secretary of State, John Adams
• Created in reaction to the Napoleonic Wars
Monroe Doctrine
• The United States government exerted
military and diplomatic pressure through the
Monroe Doctrine
• Stated the U.S. was no longer open for
colonization
• Showed that the political system of Europe
differed from the U.S.
• Was a defense of America’s natural rights
Fears
Secretary of State John Adams feared that the
British would attempt to get a pledge from the
United States saying that they wouldn’t try
and conquer land in Spanish America.
Comparison to Declaration of
Independence
• Differences
– Written by John Adams
– The United States was already independent of Britain
– Ended colonization in U.S.
– Written by the United States against foreign powers
• Similarities:
– Stated United States’ independence against Europe
– Created for the well-being of the U.S.
– Caused Europe to recognize America as an individual
country
Pros and Cons
• Declaration of Independence
– Pros
• America gained independence from Britain
• Could create own democracy
• France as an ally
– Cons
• America had to fend for itself
• Merchants had to find new markets
• Had no example to follow
Pros and Cons
• Monroe Doctrine
– Pros
• Were free of European interference
• No more colonization
• Defense of natural rights
– Cons
• Could be used against America
• Left America only country to defend itself