ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES
The Monroe Doctrine: A Close Reading
Annotation – What was the purpose(s) of the Monroe Doctrine?
After Spain and Portugal defeated Napoleon in 1815, these European powers wanted to reclaim their former colonies in Latin
America. Meanwhile, the Russians, who had been in Alaska since 1784, were establishing trading posts in what is now California.
In addition, many Americans were interested in acquiring northern Mexico and the Spanish colony of Cuba. Moreover, the Russian
presence in California posed a threat to American trade with China, which brought huge profits.
In his December 2, 1823 address to Congress, President James Monroe articulated U.S. foreign policy regarding the new situations he
perceived (mentioned above) and the role of Europe in the Western Hemisphere.
We cannot know with certainty now how widespread the feeling was then that the United States was an empire, or an empire-in-themaking. But the kind of expansionist agenda that goes hand-in-hand with empire building is sometimes cited as a motivation behind
the Monroe Doctrine. Remember that James Monroe served as secretary of state and secretary of war during the War of 1812. As you
analyze the Monroe Doctrine, you can decide for yourself what was truly its purpose.
Directions: We will read each section together. The Monroe Doctrine makes 5 major statements. After we read each section, as a
group attempt to decipher what President James Monroe is proclaiming.
Section 1
At the proposal of the Russian …Government… instructions have been transmitted to the … United States … to arrange …negotiation
… of the two nations (U.S. and Russia) on the northwest coast of this continent…
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Section 2
…the occasion has been judged proper for asserting …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….
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Section 3
It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.
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Section 4
… The political system of the allied powers (Europe) is essentially different in this respect from that of America…We … 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.
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Section 5
Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars (in Europe) which have so long agitated that quarter
of the globe, … remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its nations…
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Annotation
The doctrine's authors saw it as a proclamation by the United States of moral opposition to colonialism, but it was later re-interpreted
in a wide variety of ways, including by President Theodore Roosevelt, who asserted the right of the United States to intervene in the
affairs of small nations in the Caribbean and Central America if they were unable to pay their international debts. This became known
as the Roosevelt Corollary, a topic we will study at a later date.