Akhila Reddy asked: What is the significance of Monroe Doctrine in international relations?

Saroj Bishoyi replies: The Monroe Doctrine is a foreign policy statement made by former US President James Monroe in his 7th annual address to the Congress on December 02, 1823. The ideas spelt out in the address became a longstanding tenet of the US foreign policy, and it remains so even today. President Monroe in his address had asserted: “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.” He further stated: “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.” Thus, President Monroe made three important points to the European powers in his address: First, the Western hemisphere is no longer an open area for influence or colonisation by any external power; second, the US has no desire to interfere in the internal affairs of the European nations and, therefore, Europe should keep away from the internal affairs of the Western hemisphere nations; and lastly, America would consider any attempt by European powers to control newly independent nations of the Western hemisphere as a hostile act against the US.

At this time, however, the US was not either economically or militarily powerful enough to implement Monroe’s assertion. The doctrine could have proved ineffective without support from the UK, whose interests converged with that of the US in keeping away other powers, i.e., Spain, Portugal and Russia, from dominating the continent. The UK supported the doctrine because it not only helped in promoting its commercial interests in the area, but also established a special relationship with the US which continues till date. In addition, newly independent countries of Latin America supported this policy believing that it would help protect their sovereignty and national interests. The doctrine was used by the US along with its ideas of “manifest destiny” for increasing its influence in the region as well as developing trade relationship with the new countries of the hemisphere or the “New World.” It was also used by successive American administrations as justification for further adding territories like Texas (1845), Oregon Territory (1846), Mexican Cession (1848), California (1850) and others.

The Monroe Doctrine subsequently contributed to the emergence of the US as a world power by early 20th century, certainly the sole power in the North and South America. The US thereafter began to play a lead role in the foreign affairs of the Americas and began influencing the European nations too. The doctrine was also used to justify American power projection in the Western hemisphere and to further promote its foreign policy interests. President Theodore Roosevelt added the “Roosevelt Corollary” or “Big Stick” to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904, which sought legitimate right to intervene in the internal affairs of Latin American countries for their recalcitrance or refusal to pay their debts and to keep the European powers out. Thereafter, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his intention to replace the “Big Stick” with the “Good Neighbour” policy for improving American relationship with Latin American countries. Moreover, President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and President Ronald Reagan during Iran-contra affair in the late 1980s used the doctrine to defend American interests. 

The doctrine, therefore, not only helped the US in defending new nations of the Western hemisphere from the influence of the then European powers, it also accelerated its own presence and influence in the entire region. Subsequently, with the increase in its economic and military might, US became the most powerful country in the entire Western hemisphere. Interestingly, what started in 1823 as an attempt to check the growing influence of the European powers, has since become a rationale for American unilateralism and interventionism in various countries including on humanitarian grounds. Thus, the Monroe Doctrine has significantly influenced the American foreign policy, and thereby the international relations, for over a century now and, perhaps, will continue to do so for many more years to come.

Also, refer to the following sources on the subject:

“Monroe Doctrine”, Primary Documents in American History, the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

James Monroe, “Seventh Annual Message”, The American President Project, December 02, 1823.

“Monroe Doctrine, 1823”, United States Department of State, Office of the Historian.