Why was the Monroe Doctrine issued?
The Monroe Doctrine was a declaration of America’s opposition to European colonialism. Following the Napoleonic Wars many Latin American countries declared independence from Spain and Portugal. The United States did not want European influence to be reestablished in the Americas, so the Monroe Doctrine was written. It stated that any attack on a country in the Western Hemisphere would be considered an attack on the U.S. and would be followed by American retaliation. The U.S. saw itself as the protector of the young republics in Latin America. The Monroe Doctrine was able to be enforced because Britain agreed with the doctrine and the Royal Navy controlled the Atlantic Ocean.
