Support for Latin American Independence
- As Latin American colonies began fighting for independence in the early 19th century, the United States generally supported these movements because they reflected similar struggles for liberty and self-government.
- The American Revolution served as an example for Latin American revolutionaries seeking to overthrow European monarchies and establish republics.
U.S. Political and Economic Interests
- While the United States sympathized with the ideals of freedom and independence, its support was not entirely selfless.
- American leaders wanted to protect their own political and economic interests, fearing that European powers might try to recolonize Latin America or expand their influence in the Western Hemisphere.
- This concern grew as newly independent nations such as Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina remained politically unstable and vulnerable.
European Threats and Regional Instability
- By the 1820s, many of the Latin American republics were still fragile, and European monarchies (especially Spain and France) considered helping Spain regain its former colonies.
- The possibility of renewed European intervention alarmed U.S. policymakers, who saw it as a threat to both hemispheric independence and American trade.
The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
- In 1823, President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine, a defining moment in U.S. foreign policy.
- The Doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was closed to further European colonization and that any attempt by European powers to interfere in the Americas would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.
Policy of Non-Intervention
- At the same time, the Monroe Doctrine stated that the United States would not interfere in existing European colonies or in European affairs.
- This balanced approach was presented as one of mutual respect and non-intervention, emphasizing that the U.S. sought peace rather than confrontation with Europe.
Definition
Non-intervention
A foreign policy principle asserting that states should not interfere in the internal affairs or domestic politics of other nations.
Underlying Motives and International Support
- In reality, the Doctrine reflected growing U.S. nationalism and a belief in America’s special role as protector of the Western Hemisphere.
- Britain also supported the principle because it aligned with British trade interests; maintaining Latin American independence allowed Britain to access the region’s markets without Spanish restrictions.
Definition
Nationalism:
A political ideology emphasizing loyalty and devotion to one’s nation, often seeking self-determination, unity, and independence from foreign control.
Legacy and Long-Term Impact
- Although the Monroe Doctrine had little immediate enforcement power since the U.S. lacked the military strength to defend it. It became a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
- Over time, it was reinterpreted to justify U.S. involvement and dominance in Latin America throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, marking the beginning of America’s self-declared leadership in the Western Hemisphere.
Common Mistake
- Assuming the Monroe Doctrine was purely moral rather than recognizing it as a policy based on national self-interest and economic protectionism.
- Ignoring Britain’s influence and support, which gave the Doctrine credibility since Britain’s navy, not the U.S., could actually deter European powers.
- Overestimating the Doctrine’s immediate impact, when in fact it was mostly symbolic in 1823 and gained real importance only later as U.S. power expanded.
Exam technique
- Explain both idealism and self-interest: Show how U.S. sympathy for independence coexisted with a desire to control the political and economic future of the region.
- Use historical context: Connect the Doctrine to the wider backdrop of post-Napoleonic Europe and Latin American independence movements.
- Highlight continuity and change: Discuss how the Monroe Doctrine’s meaning evolved over time from a defensive statement in 1823 to a justification for U.S. intervention in later centuries.
Case study
President James Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine
- Background
- James Monroe served as the fifth president of the United States (1817–1825), during a period known as the “Era of Good Feelings”, marked by national unity and growing confidence.
- Context
- Following the collapse of Spanish authority in the Americas and the Congress of Vienna’s attempts to restore monarchies, Monroe’s administration feared renewed European interference.
- Creation of the Doctrine
- Influenced by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Monroe declared in his message to Congress on December 2, 1823, that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization.
- Diplomatic Motives
- While framed as a moral stand for independence, the Doctrine also aimed to protect U.S. interests and prevent European encroachment near American borders.
- Impact
- The Doctrine initially relied on British naval power for enforcement, but it became the foundation of U.S. policy in the Americas. Later leaders, such as Theodore Roosevelt, expanded it to justify interventions under the Roosevelt Corollary (1904).
- Legacy
- Monroe’s policy established the idea of the United States as the guardian of the Western Hemisphere, a concept that would shape its foreign relations for generations.
Self review
- Examine the reasons for the formulation of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823.
- To what extent did the Monroe Doctrine reflect both idealism and self-interest in U.S. policy toward Latin America?
- Compare and contrast the attitudes of the United States and Britain toward Latin American independence movements in the early 19th century.
