“The American continents are not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” – James
Monroe
Monroe Doctrine: “You Can’t Touch This” Hemisphere
I
n the early 1800s, many of Spain’s American colonies had
fought for and successfully won their independence. For
countries, like Mexico, these were difficult years. Then in
1823, other European powers – Austria, Russia, Prussia, and
France – threatened to help Spain re-conquer its former colonies.
In response, U.S. President James Monroe announced a new
policy which rejected its old policy of neutrality.
1. What do you do when someone interferes with you?
2. What does it mean to be neutral?
3. Can you really be neutral? Explain.
4. Using the papers provided for you complete the chart below based on how you think your
group would have reacted to the Monroe Doctrine.
Group
American
British
Latin
American
Spanish
Reaction
Rationale (including evidence)
Excerpt of the Monroe Doctrine
The American continents . . . are . . . not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European
powers.
In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken part, nor . . . [is it]
or policy to do so. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced [or threatened] that we . . .
make preparation for our defense. We should consider any attempt on . . . [Europe’s part] that we should
declare any attempt on their part to . . . [interfere with] any portion of this [Western] Hemisphere as
dangerous to our peace and safety.
With the existing colonies . . . of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. . . . It is
impossible that the . . . [European] powers should extend their political system to any portion of either
continent without endangering our peace and happiness. . . . Therefore, we . . . [cannot tolerate] such
interposition [or interference] with indifference. – James Monroe
5. What is the main idea of the passage above? (Think about why
Monroe issued this statement!) Provide supporting details that
you can use as evidence.
6. How do you think European nations responded to this?
7. How do you think Latin American nations responded to this?
Why would the U.S. prefer independent Latin American
countries, as opposed to European colonies?
John Quincy Adams,
Author of the Monroe Doctrine
8. Do you think the U.S. had the military power to back up these statements in 1823?
9. How is this foreign policy a variation of Washington’s approach?
American Response to the Monroe Doctrine
With your group read your response to discover what your reaction would have been to the Monroe Doctrine
and create either a tweet, cartoon, symbol, statement saying what your emotion was and your rationale for your
response to it.
D
uring the opening decades of the 19th century, Central and
South America turned to revolution. The idea of liberty had
stirred the people of Latin America from the time the English
colonies gained their freedom. Napoleon's conquest of Spain in 1808
provided the signal for Latin Americans to rise in revolt. By 1822, ably
led by Simon Bolivar, Francisco Miranda, Jose de San Martin and
Miguel Hidalgo, all of Hispanic America – from Argentina and Chile in
the south to Mexico and California in the north – had won
independence from the mother country.
The people of the United States took a deep interest in what seemed a
repetition of their own experience in breaking away from European
Fifth President
rule. The Latin American independence movements confirmed
of the U.S. –
their own belief in self-government. In 1822 President James
James Monroe
Monroe, under powerful pressure from the American public,
received authority to recognize the new countries of Latin America
– including the former Portuguese colony of Brazil – and soon
exchanged ministers with them. This recognition confirmed their status as genuinely independent
countries, entirely separated from their former European connections.
The Monroe Doctrine expressed a spirit of solidarity (friendship) with the newly independent
republics of Latin America. These nations in turn recognized their political affinity with the United
States by basing their new constitutions, in many instances, on the North American model. Despite
these bold words, it would be decades before the U.S. was able to back up their words and instead
relied on the strength of the British Royal Navy to help them enforce this idea.
British Response to the Monroe Doctrine
With your group read your response to discover what your reaction would have been to the Monroe Doctrine
and create either a tweet, cartoon, symbol, statement saying what your emotion was and your rationale for your
response to it.
T
he Monroe Doctrine, created by President
James Monroe, was stated on December 2,
1823, during the seventh annual State of
the Union Address. The doctrine stated that
European powers were no longer to colonize or
interfere with the affairs of the newly
independent Americas. The U.S. was also
allowed to interfere with any existing colonies in
the Western Hemisphere. The doctrine was
controversial because it stated that any attempt
by any European nation to oppress or control any
nation in the Americas would be seen as act of
aggression not only towards that nation but also
the U.S.
The doctrine's main goal was to protect colonies of Latin America from European influence and control.
At the time, the doctrine was largely disregarded due to the U.S.'s lack of a strong army and navy, the
British approved of the doctrine and enforced is as a part of the Pax Britannica. The Pax Britannica
was a period of relative peace in Europe, during which the British Empire controlled most trade
routes and was the main power in the seas.
One of the main reasons the British supported the Monroe Doctrine was to keep Spain out of power.
At the time, Russia and France proposed that Britain join in helping Spain regain the New World
colonies. In the same year, France invited Spain to restore the House of Bourbons to power, and there
was talk of France and Spain warring upon the new American republics in concert with the Holy
Alliance (Russia, Prussia and Austria). The British were worried that if Spain regained power then
the colonies would be cut off from trade with the British. It was the British Royal Navy that helped to
enforce the Monroe Doctrine and not the U.S.
Latin American Response to the Monroe Doctrine
With your group read your response to discover what your reaction would have been to the Monroe Doctrine
and create either a tweet, cartoon, symbol, statement saying what your emotion was and your rationale for your
response to it.
W
hen the people of Latin American began their struggle for
independence they found their strongest inspiration in the
American Revolution. Initially, they embraced the Monroe
Doctrine and were glad to be recognized as independent countries
when many in Europe refused to. When the newly freed nations
created their constitutions it was always with the U.S. Constitution
before them as an example. Simon Bolivar, considered the founding
father of several Latin American countries (Venezuela, Colombia,
Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia), referred to the U.S. as a “singular
model of political virtues and moral enlightenment unique in the
history of mankind.”
Following the initial stir, the Monroe Doctrine receded into the
The “Great Liberator” –
background for most Americans during the remainder of the
Simon Bolivar
nineteenth century. Geographically distant and culturally remote,
South American countries presented neither dangers nor
opportunities for the United States. Instead, those nations developed economic and political ties with
Europeans, especially the British, and regarded such connections as counterweights against the
growing power of the U.S.
Driven by land hunger, commercial ambition, and the idea of “Manifest Destiny,” the U.S. began to
expand its borders yet again, westward. While the U.S. encouraged Europeans to stay out of the
Western Hemisphere, America continued to expand its border towards the Pacific Ocean. Along the
way, they were uprooting Native American. In the late 19th century the U.S. would interfere in places
in Latin America that they told other nations to stay out of. Some of these places included: Cuba,
Panama, and Mexico.
Spanish Response to the Monroe Doctrine
With your group read your response to discover what your reaction would have been to the Monroe Doctrine
and create either a tweet, cartoon, symbol, statement saying what your emotion was and your rationale for your
response to it.
S
pain was, from the outset, worried about the
United States. It did not sign the treaty of 1783
which ended the American Revolution, and it
did not until 1795 recognize the boundaries
established in that treaty or the right of the United
States to navigate the Mississippi River.
When the Holy Alliance restored the Spanish
monarchy, they turned their attentions to its
rebellious colonies in Latin America. Returning these
aspiring states to Spain’s control would help restore
the power of kings and the commercial interests of the
Modern-day Flag of Spain
Holy Alliance. Indeed, Russia was by 1821 seeking to
expand its trade southwards from Alaska and had asserted a trade monopoly for the Pacific coast of
North America north of 51 degrees. Great Britain remained committed to free trade in the Americas
and favored a Latin America governed and controlled by weak Latin American nations rather than its
European enemies. The United States had less riding on the state of European politics but had reason
to fear European expansion into any part of the Americas.
Taken at face value, the Monroe Doctrine bordered on absurdity at the time it was issued, but Spain
and many other European countries were annoyed that the U.S. was attempting to stop them from regaining their colonies. However, European nations still controlled several parts of Latin America,
and much of North America and all of South America lay outside the direct control of the United
States. The young nations of Latin America might develop governments organized along the
republican principals alluded to in the doctrine, but in 1823 that remained to be seen. Overall, the
statement had little visible impact in Europe. Most statesmen simply ignored it. They viewed the
United States as a minor power and tread lightly in Latin America more from fear of Great Britain
than the United States.