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 is a U.S. foreign policy opposing European colonialism and intervention in the Western Hemisphere. Introduced by President James Monroe in 1823, it warned European powers that such actions would be seen as hostile toward the United States.
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
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Note
In the early 19th century, Latin American colonies began their fight for independence from European powers. The United States, having recently gained its own independence, naturally supported these movements. This support was rooted in the shared ideals of liberty and self-government.
The American Revolution served as a powerful example for Latin American revolutionaries
The U.S. saw these movements as a continuation of the fight against colonial oppression
Analogy
Think of the U.S. support for Latin American independence like an older sibling cheering on their younger sibling in a similar challenge they once faced.
Example
Simon Bolivar, a key figure in South American independence, was often compared to George Washington, highlighting the parallels between the two revolutions.
