How Did the Monroe Doctrine Effect Latin America?
On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe delivered an address to Congress during which he defined a new U.S. policy toward other nations in the Americas as well as the role that Europe should play in the so-called "new world." This Monroe Doctrine stemmed from the American diplomatic ideals of non-interference in European affairs and the defense of neutral rights, as earlier expressed by President Washington. Although Europe paid little attention to Mr. Monroe's declaration, it later became a major tenet of U.S. foreign policy.
Other People Are Reading
-
Background
-
By the 1820s many of Spain's former colonies in Latin America had won their independence. The European powers, however, were still interested in exploiting the New World. Spain, in particular, wanted to take back its former territory, and there was talk of a possible alliance with France for that purpose. Meanwhile, Russia, which still held claim to territory on the North American west coast, had joined forces with Prussia and Austria. Great Britain wanted to continue trading with the new Latin American countries, and was adamantly opposed to any Spanish or French presence there.
Function
-
According to the U.S. State Department, the essence of the Monroe Doctrine was enshrined within three principles: separate spheres of influence for Europe and the Americas, non-intervention and non-colonization. The declaration stated that the United States would not interfere in European affairs, and it expected that Europe would not become involved anywhere in the Americas, with the exception of colonies still under European jurisdiction.
-
Significance
-
The Monroe Doctrine essentially put the United States in the position of playing big brother toward the Latin American nations. At first, the new U.S. policy benefited these former Spanish colonies as it allowed them to focus upon building their own societies rather than fighting their old masters. Over time, however, these countries became more skeptical as they witnessed the war with Mexico and U.S. expansion into much of Mexico's former territory.
The Roosevelt Corollary
-
Early in the twentieth century a crisis in the Dominican Republic made that principality unable to pay its debts. Fearing that the European nations might enter the Western Hemisphere in order to collect that which was owed them, President Theodore Roosevelt, in May of 1904, presented his Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which not only expressed a moral obligation to impose proper behavior upon Latin American countries deemed as "loosening of the ties of civilized society," but also served as justification for many future U.S.-based interventions there.
Considerations
-
Although the United States fought two wars over Latin America, and supported or conducted incursions into places such as Panama and Nicaragua, it was not until President Roosevelt formulated his corollary that U.S. interference in the rest of the Americas grew exponentially. Due to continual North American interference in hemispherical affairs, the United States is often cited by various governments and their populace for being imperialistic--a bully. A strong backlash against U.S. policies has swept across much of Central and South America, giving rise to leaders such as Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia and Rafael Correa Delgado of Ecuador.
-
