What was the Monroe Doctrine and to which countries was it directed mostly?
It was written by John Quincy Adams out of fear that Spain might try to re-take Spanish colonies that had rebelled and won freedom. It said that North and South America closed to further colonization – blocking further European involvement and war. It is still basis for American policy. The [Teddy] Roosevelt Corollary to the Doctrine: “chronic wrongdoing…which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society…the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoing…to the exercise of an international police power.” This was used to take control of the Dominican Republic’s finances and use them to repay foreign creditors to prevent those countries from sending troops there to protect financial inetrests. Answer originally posted in response to What was the Monroe Doctrine and to which countries was it directed…
