12.4 Monroe and Foreign Affairs pp. 407-409

Objective: Discuss how the Monroe Doctrine affected American policy.

A. Agreement Over Florida (pp. 407-408) For years, American leaders had wanted to own Spanish Florida. Runaway slaves often headed to East Florida (the modern state), and Seminole Indians used it as a base from which to attack American settlements. In 1818 Andrew Jackson and his soldiers chased Seminoles across the border and seized two Spanish forts.

B. The Adams-Onís Treaty (p. 408) President Monroe issued an ultimatum, a demand that could have serious consequences if ignored. He demanded that Spain either govern Florida properly or sell it to the United States. In 1819 Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. in the Adams-Onís Treaty (or Transcontinental Treaty). In return, the U.S. paid $5 million to American citizens who had claims against Spain for property damages.

C. Independence in Latin America (p. 408) In 1800 the U.S. was the only independent nation in the Americas. Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821. By 1825 Spain had lost all of its colonies in Latin America except Puerto Rico and Cuba.

D. Diplomatic Recognition (pp. 408-409) The U.S. quickly granted diplomatic recognition, an official acknowledgement, to the new nations of Latin America. But many European nations began plotting to help Spain retake Latin America. To prevent that from happening, James Monroe issued a bold statement on U.S. foreign affairs that has become known as the Monroe Doctrine.

E. Monroe Doctrine [Brace Map] 1. The U.S. would not interfere in European affairs. Monroe Doctrine 1823 2. The Western Hemisphere was closed to European colonization. 3. The U.S. would consider any interference in the Americas as a threat to its safety. Textbook p. 409

F. Reaction to the Monroe Doctrine (p. 409) Except for Britain, which backed the United States, the Monroe Doctrine startled Europe. No nation wanted to confront the U.S. that had the backing of Britain and its powerful navy. The Monroe Doctrine showed the political independence of the U.S. and its growing nationalism.

Review: In what ways was East Florida a problem for the U.S. What were the terms of the Adams-Onís Treaty? When did Mexico win its independence from Spain? What were the provisions of the Monroe Doctrine? Whose navy helped to enforce the Monroe Doctrine?