The Monroe Doctrine And American Foreign Policies

293 Words2 Pages
The Monroe Doctrine and American Foreign Policies James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, proposed his Monroe Doctrine in his seventh annual message to Congress. In my point of view, this statement was a big step that America had taken in regard to American foreign policies after George Washington’s Farewell Address. This doctrine had a huge impact upon American foreign policies, and was one of a few turning points in American foreign policies. At that time, many Latin American countries were on the verge of becoming independent from Spain, while the Russia asserted rights to the northwest. With this back ground, the Monroe Doctrine was proposed. It was consists of three fundamental principles, that is, firstly, the Western Hemisphere was not to be further colonized by European countries. Secondly, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Thirdly, “to leave America for the Americans”. The primary objective of this doctrine was just to free the newly independent colonies of Latin America from European intervention and control, and it was largely disregarded intentionally, because America was not powerful enough at that time. However, no one can deny the significance of the Monroe Doctrine. In the first place, this clearly declared statement preserved the independence of Latin America in a peaceful but effective way. Besides, it not only inherited the Washington’s Farewell Address in terms of the foreign policies but also extended them to a higher and more concrete point. As it’s known to all, the Monroe Doctrine has become one of the longest-standing tenets in America. However, personally, I think it also reflected the American’s ambition. It made an excuse for them to control and pillage the Latin Americans under the veil of aid and
Open Document