Monroe Doctrine

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Some of the most important achievements during James Monroe’s presidency were accomplished in the field of international affairs and foreign policies. A significant proclamation called “The Principles of 1823” when it was first addressed, had an ever-lasting effect on America’s foreign policies. It was merely a statement, because it did not get the United States any lands but rather got on the nerves of European colonizers. Yet a mere statement would never possess the immense political power to clear the obstacles for the United States for further domination down the road, and to establish the belief of “Americas for the Americans” (Hart, 101). The Monroe Doctrine, as President Polk coined this phrase some decades later, was definitely a legitimate response to international pressures at the time. First of all, the Monroe Doctrine further clarified the position of the United States, and gave a more legit response when the problem came about settlements within North America. Ever since 1821, President Monroe had been following Russian and Britain movements closely along the American Pacific, and found the United States in the situation of being both the territorial and the commercial competitor with the other two nations (Hart, 99). It would be fair to say that this alarming situation was one of the main reasons why President Monroe drew the conclusion that a non-interference, “hands-off” principle or policy must be followed through. Evidently, the United States adapted an even more aggressive approach when responding to the Russian colonial settlements in the West, since the American government made the exception of respecting and recognizing the British colonies in Canada (Hart, 100). An agreement between the States and Russia... ... middle of paper ... ...trine provided an appropriate, legitimate response to international pressures, and most importantly, it used the situation to the maximum advantage of the United States. The Doctrine’s mutual non-interference clause was more than easy to follow, since the rebels of South America left few settlements in European hands anyway. The United States was given a lot of room to exercise its plans of annexing Texas or even Cuba, both cleared of strings with Europe. Not to mention, the Monroe Doctrine also contributed to the efforts of boxing out competitors in the Wild West. Going even further to prove its maturity and growth of international status, the United States declared this announcement free of any alliance with Britain. Based on the above arguments, it would be fair to say that the Monroe Doctrine was the most significant diplomatic document in the Ante-bellum era.

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