As defined by the World English Dictionary, imperialism is the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, or culture, by any person country or institution. The Monroe Doctrine was originally written to be compassionate towards its less civilized neighboring countries and to protect them from the imperialistic ways of Europe; however, the Monroe Doctrine became a tool for the United States to imperialize the rest of the Western Hemisphere.
James Monroe created the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 in the form of a message to Congress. In summary, the Monroe Doctrine warned Europe to not interfere with the United States’ affairs, and the affairs of Latin America or the United States’ potential territories. In exchange, the United States would not interfere with European affairs such as the Greek’s struggle to gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. (U.S. Department of State, 2010) In exchange, the United States would not interfere with existing European colonies. (USDS, 2010) The Monroe Doctrine declare, two separate spheres of influence: the Americas and Europe. (USDS, 2010)
“’The American continents are henceforth not be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” (James Monroe, 1823)
The Monroe Doctrine also signified a clear break between the New World (Americas) and the Old World (Europe). (USDS, 2010) Originally, the United States lacked the armed forces to enforce the Monroe Doctrine, which lead to Europe’s disregard of it. (USDS, 2010) The United States feared that the Holy Alliance (Russia, Prussia, and Austria) would try to reduce the newly independent states of Latin America. (The Columbian Electronic Encyclopedia, 2007) Another important factor in the creation of the Monroe Doctrine was the United States’ desire to reduce European power in North America.
“Our policy in regard to Europe… is not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers… But in regard to those continents (western hemisphere), circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible that the allied (European) powers should extend their political system to any portion of either continent without endangering our peace and happiness.” (James Monroe, 1823)
In 1845 and 1848, President Polk restated the ideas of the Monroe Doctrine. (TCEE, 2007) One reason for Polk’s restatement of the Monroe Doctrine was Yucatan’s offer to transfer their dominion and sovereignty to the United States; however, at the same time they made the same offer to England and Spain. (History World International, 2000) In response to this offer, Polk said the following,
"Whilst it is not my purpose to recommend the adoption of any measure, with a view to the acquisition of the 'dominion and sovereignty' over Yucatan, yet, according to our established policy, we could not consent to a transfer of this 'dominion and sovereignty' to either Spain, Great Britain, or any other European power." (President Polk, 1845)
Another reason for Polk’s restatement of the Monroe Doctrine was the British dispute over the Oregon territory and the British and French intrigues to prevent the U.S. from annexing Texas. (TCEE, 2007) Polk’s idea that countries in the Americas should only be under the United States’ control began to show the United States’ use of the Monroe Doctrine as a tool for Imperialism.
A policy during President Grant’s term stated that a territory in the Western Hemisphere could not be transferred from European power to another was added to the Monroe Doctrine. (TCEE, 2007) The Monroe Doctrine no longer was European specific; it now stated that no non-American countries could have power in the Americas. However, it also implied the possibility of United States’ supremacy in the Americas. (TCEE, 2007) Grant’s additions to the Monroe Doctrine showed the imperialistic views of the United States, and the creation of the Monroe Doctrine into a tool of imperialism.
In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the Monroe Doctrine due to a statement given by President Cleveland’s Secretary of Office, Olney, later known as Roosevelt’s Corollary. (HWI, 2000) Olney stated that the Monroe Doctrine does not force the United States to protect any other American states and that the Monroe Doctrine did not prevent Europe from intervening when obligations arose. (HWI, 2000) It declares that any disturbance or misconduct in a South American (Latin American) country might force the United States to intervene, in order to prevent European intervention. (TCEE, 2007) Roosevelt’s Corollary gave reason for the United States to force its military power on to Latin American countries, making the Monroe Doctrine an imperialistic tool for future presidents to control countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Originally, James Monroe intended the Monroe Doctrine to fend off the European powers from the struggling, new countries that primarily made up the Americas. The Monroe Doctrine was originally written to be compassionate towards its less civilized neighboring countries and to protect them from the imperialistic ways of Europe; however, the Monroe Doctrine became a tool for the United States to imperialize the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Presidents Polk, Grant, and Roosevelt added to the Monroe Doctrine and turned it into an imperialistic tool over the Western Hemisphere.
