Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Acting on concern that Spain would reassert control over the republics of its former Latin-American colonies, James M onroe proclaimed on 2 December 1823 that the US would consider it a hostile act for any European power either to colonize any independent nation in the western hemisphere or to extend monarchy to the Americas, but that the US would respect existing European colonies. When promul-gated, the policy was viewed as meaningless, since it was understood that the Royal Navy would prevent recolonization to protect British markets in South America. It was first termed the Monroe Doctrine in 1852. The doctrine served as a pretext for threatening war in the V enezuela boundary dispute . It was amended by the R oosevelt corollary and L odge corollary . ... log in or subscribe to read full text