Monroe Doctrine

What was happening? After the War of 1812, the United States started to be concerned over the southern and western boundaries that bordered Spanish colonies. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams negotiated a Treaty with Spain in which Spain agreed to cede Florida.

Why the Monroe Doctrine? Many of the Spanish territories started to revolutionize and move towards independence from Spain. President James Monroe did not want European countries to send armies to help Spain re-gain its colonies that had achieved independence

What is the Monroe Doctrine? The Monroe Doctrine is a foreign policy statement that created separate spheres of European and American influence.

James Monroe John Quincy Adams

“As a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States 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 powers” “ 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 to do so.”

Quote Analysis “It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected” “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”. “It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in hope that other powers will pursue the same course”.

Four Main Points. The United States would remain neutral in European affairs and not get involved in European Conflicts. The United States would not interfere with the current European colonies in the Western Hemisphere. No European nation would be allowed to establish a new colony in the Western Hemisphere. If a European nation would try to interfere with a nation in the Western Hemisphere, the United States would view that as a hostile act and respond accordingly.

How was the Monroe Doctrine Applied? Monroe Doctrine got its first real workout in 1845, when President James Polk used it to legitimize America’s westward expansion and enter into a territorial war with Mexico. The French then interfered in Mexico in 1862, by trying to set up a puppet government controlled by France.

Political Cartoons

Now Create your own Political Cartoon. 1. Draw a political cartoon which expresses a main point over the Monroe Doctrine. Your cartoon should reflect one of the points that was covered in class. 2. The final draft of your cartoon must include the following: A Title Voice and or/thought bubbles or captions Color and/or BOLD black and white Clearly expresses the main idea from the Monroe Doctrine. 3. Sketch a rough draft of your cartoon in your notebook before drawing the finished cartoon on an unlined piece of paper. 4. On the back of your drawing, please explain your cartoon. Include, interpretations of symbols and briefly explain the idea your cartoon represents.