FOREIGN POLICY AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE

The United States seems to currently have its hands in every country’s pocket in some way. We have virtually every country on our payroll; so when something unexpected happens internationally the United States always seems to be involved in either the problem or solution. This level of involvement has lead to American troops being stationed in over 144 countries or territories worldwide. (Eland)

The irony of this is that one of America’s most famous and influential documents, The Monroe Doctrine, stated that America would do the complete opposite of what is happening today. It claimed that the United States would abstain from involvement in future foreign wars. If its author James Monroe could see American foreign policy today he would likely be disgusted and dissatisfied. Still, today’s general disregard for the ideals of the doctrine does not take away from its importance. At the time, the Monroe Doctrine was not only the United State’s official declaration of itself as the chief western power, it simultaneously made savvy diplomatic moves against European powers such as Britain, France, Spain, and Russia.

When the Monroe Doctrine was brought before congress on December 2, 1823 it proposed three major principles. First, the United States would not stand for any more European colonization in the Americas. Second, European powers were not to interfere with the new Latin American countries. Third, that the United States would not get involved in European wars. This document showed a major development within the United States. It was a bold statement, and it is often called “America’s diplomatic declaration of independence.” (Foner, p365)

Leading into the doctrine the United States had a unique situation. They had the opportunity to get involved in major power shifts within Europe. At the time Spain’s King Ferdinand VII had been overrun by revolutionaries. He was in desperate need of aid so France had sent solders to help him. This meant that the French soldiers had a chance at intervening and taking control of Spain. (May pg 2-3)

At the same time as this was going on in Spain, Britain was interested in proposing an alliance with the United States. Britain had a large economic stake in the new Latin American states, and they wanted to continue without American interference. This is important because Spain had a large presence in Latin America. If France was to gain control in Spain they would also have an opportunity to create their own Latin American colonies. Such a French presence would be detrimental to Britain because it could possibly harm their economic strength in Latin America. This meant that even if there was no formal alliance between Britain and the United States, then Britain would still protect the Latin American states from French imperialism. (May, pg 4-6)

On the other side of America, Russia was trying to stake a claim in the pacific. They wanted to extend their influence down the coastline into California. This meant the United States had outside powers trying to gain influence and territory in the Americas on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. (The Making of the Monroe Doctrine p2) This combination of pressures created a need for the government to take a stance. The Monroe Doctrine was that declaration. Monroe’s exact words were “The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers… we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety… It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves” (Monroe Doctrine) He had decided that America was not going to stand for outside intervention, and in return was not going to meddle in eastern country’s affairs.

What the Monroe Doctrine did by declaring the United States against any European Imperialism was both effective and safe. It threatened European powers that further colonization was not to be tolerated, and the United States now had the muscle to back such a claim. It told Russia to back off, and allowed for Britain to remain the chief trader in Latin America. (World Affairs) Now the United States had an effective foreign policy which stated its position firmly, and allowed for it to not get tied down by promises and alliances. Nobody was directly assaulted, and the United States was officially a power to be respected. It is unfortunate that such a direct and effective solution for foreign policy no longer seems like an option in today’s world.

WORKS CITED
Eland, Ivan. "The U.S. Military: Overextended Overseas." Cato Institute. Web.
<http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=5853>.

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! Vol. 1. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2005. Print.

May, Ernest R. The Making of the Monroe Doctrine. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard UP, 1976. Print.

Monroe, James. "The Monroe Doctrine." 2 Dec. 1823.
"World Affairs, 1823." Web. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h255.html>.