In his annual message to Congress in 1823, United States
president James Monroe declared that the United States had the right to exclude
foreign powers from colonizing in the western hemisphere. Monroe’s bold
assertion was primarily intended to prevent Spain from reclaiming its former
colonies in the Americas. The statement became known as the Monroe Doctrine, and
in subsequent decades the doctrine emerged as the foundation of U.S. policy in
Latin America.
The Monroe Doctrine
At the proposal of the Russian Imperial Government, made
through the minister of the Emperor residing here, a full power and instructions
have been transmitted to the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg
[capital of Russia] to arrange by amicable negotiation the respective rights and
interests of the two nations on the northwest coast of this continent. A similar
proposal has been made by His Imperial Majesty to the Government of Great
Britain, which has likewise been acceded to. The Government of the United States
has been desirous by this friendly proceeding of manifesting the great value
which they have invariably attached to the friendship of the Emperor and their
solicitude to cultivate the best understanding with his Government. In the
discussion to which this interest has given rise and in the arrangements by
which they may terminate the occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a
principle in which the rights and interests of the UnitedStates are involved,
that 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 power.
It was then stated at the commencement of the last
session that a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the
condition of the people of those countries, and that it appeared to be conducted
with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be remarked that the result has
been so far very different from what was then anticipated. Of events in that
quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse and from which we
derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators. The
citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of
the liberty and happiness of their fellow-men on that side of the Atlantic. In
the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never
taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. It is only when
our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make
preparations for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere we are of
necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all
enlightened and impartial observers. The political system of the allied powers
is essentially different in this respect from that of America. This difference
proceeds from that which exists in their respective Governments; and to the
defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and
treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and
under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between
the United States and those powers to declare that 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. With the existing colonies or dependencies
of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with
the Governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and
whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles,
acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in
any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward
the United States. In the war between those new Governments and Spain, we
declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have
adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur which, in
the judgment of the competent authorities of this Government, shall make a
corresponding change on the part of the United States indispensable to their
security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal [wars against
French domination of both countries] show that Europe is still unsettled. Of
this important fact no stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied powers
should have thought it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to
have interposed by force in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such
interposition may be carried, on the same principle, is a question in which all
independent powers whose governments differ from theirs are interested, even
those most remote, and surely none more so than the United States. Our policy in
regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so
long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which
is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider
the government de facto as the legitimate government for us; to cultivate
friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm,
and manly policy, meeting in all instances the just claims of every power,
submitting to injuries from none. But in regard to these continents
circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible that
the allied powers should extend their political system to any portion of either
continent without endangering our peace and happiness; nor can anyone believe
that our southern brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own
accord. It is equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold such
interposition in any form with indifference. If we look to the comparative
strength and resources of Spain and those new Governments, and their distance
from each other, it must be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still
the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves in the
hope that other powers will pursue the same course.…
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