Why was the the Monroe Doctrine necessary?
Well, I don’t know about necessary, but it certainly shaped American foreign policy in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. McKinley used it to justify the Spanish American War over Cuba. It was even used as late as during Carter’s time, where he attempted to extend it to the Middle East. The Doctrine, in essence, allowed the US to justify territorial gains, or economic control, within its own “sphere of influence”. So. Necessary? Well, that’s certainly debatable, but it put America firmly on the path of expansion, ready to take up its mantle of world policeman and leader of the economic world. If it’s an exam question you’re answering, always mention economic reasons. It was always economic reasons. EVERYTHING in American History is something to do with economic reasons. Now I’m glad I’m doing A-Level History!
