The Influence of the Monroe Doctrine on American History

The Monroe Doctrine was a cornerstone in American History because of the closure of the Western Hemisphere for future colonization, views that any attempts at controlling the Western Hemisphere were hostile, and prevention of the United States from interfering in internal affairs and the wars of European powers. The Monroe Doctrine was developed because the United States was worried about the European colonial expansion in Latin America and South America. Britain’s concerns were caused by Spain’s attempt to reclaim its former colonies that had gained their independence.

This was a concern because it would cause their trading with new nations to decline. The United States didn’t want any more European influence in the Western Hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine extended America’s desire for self-preservation, into a mandate for expansion first into Latin America, and eventually around the world. This made the United States the only powerful nation in the Western Hemisphere and left the Europeans to fight among themselves in Europe.

The Monroe Doctrine’s protection over the entire Western Hemisphere preserved the interest of the United States. President Monroe believed that the United States alone should complete the colonization of North America. The people of the United States took a great interest in breaking away from European rule. The original intent of the Monroe Doctrine was to protect American ideals and to keep unfriendly powers away from our borders. Many Americans thought that there should be enough land for every American citizen (manifest destiny). The United States would have to acquire more land in order to make this happen.

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Although his system was favored in much of the Western Hemisphere there was opposition to it in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The three leading absolute monarchies of Europe were Russia, Austria, and Prussia. They had pledged themselves to “put an end to the system of representative government, in whatever country it may exist in Europe.” The United States feared that these three powers (sometimes called the Holy Alliance) might also try to suppress representative government in the Americas and create hostilities. Monroe opposed the European political system of Monarchy and felt its presence anywhere in the Western Hemisphere endangered the integrity of the still-young United States. The Doctrine was successful because Britain also supported the idea that opposed European intervention to Spain’s attempt to restore its colonies. This meant that the European nations could not interfere with the new Spanish American Republics.

The Monroe Doctrine kept the United States from interfering with internal affairs or the wars of European powers. Monroe believed that foreign governments should not interfere with another nation’s politics. Whenever a foreign government interferes it creates a huge conflict or oppressive regimes. Governments who had declared their independence would have to maintain it. Therefore the Americans wouldn’t intervene in foreign policies, this kept George Washington’s wish that we keep to ourselves and let other countries be.

The Monroe Doctrine was a major step in towards Western Expansion and to the control of regional differences and conflicts. So, the Monroe Doctrine was a cornerstone in American History because of the closure of the Western Hemisphere for future colonization, views that any attempts at controlling the Western Hemisphere were hostile, and prevention of the United States from interfering in internal affairs and the wars of European powers. This document prevented many possible problems that could occur in the future. The Monroe Doctrine is what Monroe became known for during and after his time during office. This document represented what America’s ideals stood for independence.