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
Speech by President James Monroe to Congress, December 2, 1823.
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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