Our Affairs, Not Yours:The Monroe Doctrine

By: Nita Tunga

Objective

• List one similarity and difference between the Monroe Doctrine and the Declaration of Independence

Monroe DoctrineBackground Info

• A document made by the United States declaring that Europe should not interfere in American affairs

• Named after President Monroe• Written by Secretary of State, John Adams• Created in reaction to the Napoleonic Wars

Monroe Doctrine

• The United States government exerted military and diplomatic pressure through the Monroe Doctrine

• Stated the U.S. was no longer open for colonization

• Showed that the political system of Europe differed from the U.S.

• Was a defense of America’s natural rights

Fears

Secretary of State John Adams feared that the British would attempt to get a pledge from the United States saying that they wouldn’t try and conquer land in Spanish America.

Comparison to Declaration of Independence

• Differences– Written by John Adams– The United States was already independent of Britain– Ended colonization in U.S. – Written by the United States against foreign powers

• Similarities:– Stated United States’ independence against Europe– Created for the well-being of the U.S.– Caused Europe to recognize America as an individual

country

Pros and Cons

• Declaration of Independence– Pros• America gained independence from Britain• Could create own democracy• France as an ally

– Cons• America had to fend for itself• Merchants had to find new markets• Had no example to follow

Pros and Cons

• Monroe Doctrine– Pros• Were free of European interference• No more colonization• Defense of natural rights

– Cons• Could be used against America• Left America only country to defend itself