The Monroe Doctrine is a policy of the United States that was introduced on December 2, 1823. It states that European countries colonize land or interfere with states in America would be viewed, by the United States of America, as acts of aggression requiring United States intervention. The Monroe Doctrine asserted that the Western Hemisphere was not to be colonized by European countries and that the United States would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. The Doctrine was issued at a time when many Latin American countries were on the edge of becoming independent from the Spanish Empire and the United States, reflecting concerns echoed by Great Britain, hoped to avoid having any European power take Spain's colonies. The United States was young and did not have powers to back up the Monroe Doctrine.
The colonies had thought they won the freedom to expand their colonies further west. As a result of the French and Indian War; the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies changed. After 1763 England had officially gained control of over half of North America (DOC A). This meant that because England had a half a nation to govern, they must change and establish laws to control this empire. As a result of Pontiac’s rebellion, England had established the Proclamation of 1763.
The Monroe Doctrine states that the continents of North and South America should be able to develop without interference from the Europe. It did not allow those from a European country to control/colonize any property in America. It basically said that this continents are ours to police, not for Europe to colonize or conquer. The Monroe Doctrine included Hawaii and Cuba eventually. In my opinion, the US does not follow this doctrine today.
Georgia, feeling the threat of Spain south in Florida, and Indian conflicts to its west, soon also ratified. Pennsylvania followed by the winter of 1788. As the ratification debate continued, two separate philosophies emerged in response. Supporters of the Constitution became known as the Federalists, underscoring their philosophical idea that the states, as a federation formed the united body, not the governing body alone. They stressed that the newly created form of central government did not threaten the states’ rights.
Paine believed in American secession from the British and an independent country of their own. Thomas Paine encourages breaking away from Great Britain to start colonial independence. He uses examples in many different categories such as taxes, religion, and the cons of the British government to support his thesis. Thomas Paine’s main argument in Common Sense is that every man is created equal and should be given
The United States Constitution remedied the weakness of the Articles of Confederation by totally replacing it as the national law of the thirteen states. The Constitution put the ideas of the Articles of Confederation into greater detail by enumerating the rights of the people, the states, and the federal government. As the thirteen colonies were getting closer towards independence during the Revolutionary War, they needed to establish a unified government that would be enforced if the colonies were to win the revolution. In addition to that, the colonies needed a way gain support from France by showing that they were committed to the cause. After ratification of the Declaration of Independence, Continental Congress had a new task of creating a new document that would establish a foundation for a centralized government, enforced in all thirteen states, which would be known as the Articles of Confederation.
President McKinley was the first to change the old policy of not conquering and colonizing other countries. “McKinley and his advisors deliberately used alleged Spanish atrocities in Cuba to sell to the American people a war really fought to gain colonies and bases in the Caribbean and across the Pacific that could be exploited to strengthen American commerce.” When America started to colonize and expand their markets, McKinley had to convince the nation that it was time to grow and not be isolated from
“...It is to be regretted that inconsiderate and incautious Republicans should ever have supposed that the slight amendments [embodied in the pending Fourteenth Amendment] already proposed to the Constitution, even when incorporated into that instrument, would satisfy the reforms necessary for the security of the Government.” In this Stevens tried to explain that, yes, the Republicans are pushing for slaves freedom, but its only on paper. The government needs to act on the amendments being passed as well as the Constitution itself. Stevens states that we should place the rebel states under the control of a loyal Republican if those states have a Republican spirit, at which point they may be readmitted into the United States. Only then will we have security in our Government. This leads him to say that all the blood and pride for fighting for American Independence would be spent in vain.
It also showed France and Great Britain that America was beginning to form its own government, which would help achieve respect as a country. Document D shows the John Jay’s Treaty of 1784 where Britain agreed to the request of the states that they abandon their trading posts in the north-west and limit ship seizures because, America feared that Britain did not accept the Treaty of Paris and would later rebel. This agreement shows that the American government was earning respect and was becoming a stronger country that assumed some power in the world. Document E indicated how the articles were proved effective because the map shows the different Land Ordinances between the dates of 1781-1802 made by congress were very successful. Congress was able to handle these difficult tasks which seemed unsolvable with such understanding.
Division of states led to national borders being defined. It was also around this time that European Enlightenment ideas such as liberalism began to form the foundation of America. Bender also points out that had the South won in their attempt to form their own nation, even the term “Civil War” would not exist. He also shows that America was one of the last nations to finally abolish slavery, and was very behind in the European idea advancements. However, the Civil War sparked the U.S. industrialization to the dominance we see today.