“Tis our true policy to steer

clear of permanent alliances with any

portion of the foreign world.”

“Tis our true policy to steer

clear of permanent alliances with any

portion of the foreign world.”

George Washington’s Farewell AddressSeptember 17, 1786

George Washington’s Farewell AddressSeptember 17, 1786

“There can be no greater error than to

expect or calculate upon real favors from

nation to nation.”

“There can be no greater error than to

expect or calculate upon real favors from

nation to nation.”George Washington’s

Farewell AddressSeptember 17, 1786

George Washington’s Farewell Address

September 17, 1786

If these were the sentiments of one of

our founding fathers, how has our country

become so involved in foreign affairs?

If these were the sentiments of one of

our founding fathers, how has our country

become so involved in foreign affairs?

The Monroe DoctrineDecember 2, 1823

The Monroe DoctrineDecember 2, 1823

Events that lead to the Doctrine

Events that lead to the Doctrine

• By 1825, all Latin American countries, except for Cuba and Puerto Rico, had gained independence from Spain.

• In 1822, Brazil had gained independence from Portugal

• By 1825, all Latin American countries, except for Cuba and Puerto Rico, had gained independence from Spain.

• In 1822, Brazil had gained independence from Portugal

And yet, it appeared the Europe might still colonization in Latin

America!

And yet, it appeared the Europe might still colonization in Latin

America!

The Quadruple Alliance (Russia, Austria,

Prussia and Britain), after defeating

Napoleon’s France, talked of similar

action in the Americas.

The Quadruple Alliance (Russia, Austria,

Prussia and Britain), after defeating

Napoleon’s France, talked of similar

action in the Americas.

Britain and the USBritain and the US

• Were enjoying profitable trade with the independent Latin American countries

• The British foreign minister suggested a joint statement saying that both countries opposed intervention in Latin America and that neither would try to acquire it for themselves

• Were enjoying profitable trade with the independent Latin American countries

• The British foreign minister suggested a joint statement saying that both countries opposed intervention in Latin America and that neither would try to acquire it for themselves

And then…And then…

• Russia claimed Alaska and said their territory extended into Oregon…

• Russia claimed Alaska and said their territory extended into Oregon…

• But, Oregon was also claimed by: – Britain– The US

• But, Oregon was also claimed by: – Britain– The US

Should the US join in Britain’s statement?Should the US join in Britain’s statement?

• Some backed signing the agreement

• Others, such as John Adams, argued that it would look as if the US were following “in the wake of the British man-of-war”.

• Some backed signing the agreement

• Others, such as John Adams, argued that it would look as if the US were following “in the wake of the British man-of-war”.

Well, what is a “British Man of War?”

Well, what is a “British Man of War?”

So what did Adams mean?

So what did Adams mean?

• Why would Britain be considered a force to be reckoned with?

• Why would Britain be considered a force to be reckoned with?

• Why would the US not be considered a threat?

• Why would the US not be considered a threat?

• So, President Monroe chose to act alone.

• In an address to Congress, he introduced the doctrine in two widely separated passages.

• So, President Monroe chose to act alone.

• In an address to Congress, he introduced the doctrine in two widely separated passages.

So what happened next?So what happened next?

So what happened next?So what happened next?

• The Quadruple Alliance never intervened in Latin America!

• The Quadruple Alliance never intervened in Latin America!

So what happened next?So what happened next?

• The Quadruple Alliance never intervened in Latin America!

• Russia agreed to withdraw from Oregon!

• The Quadruple Alliance never intervened in Latin America!

• Russia agreed to withdraw from Oregon!

So the Monroe Doctrine was an immediate

success!

So the Monroe Doctrine was an immediate

success!

HmmmmHmmmm

If one event happens after another event,

does that mean the first event caused the

second event?

If one event happens after another event,

does that mean the first event caused the

second event?

• The Quadruple Alliance never invaded Latin America, but not out of fear of the US.

• If they actually ever considered it, it was because of fear of the British Navy!

• The Quadruple Alliance never invaded Latin America, but not out of fear of the US.

• If they actually ever considered it, it was because of fear of the British Navy!

• Russia withdrew from Oregon…but not out of fear of the US but because they were overextended.

• They could not effectively govern anything in North America all the way from Moscow!

• Russia withdrew from Oregon…but not out of fear of the US but because they were overextended.

• They could not effectively govern anything in North America all the way from Moscow!

What did the US need to make the Monroe

Doctrine effective?

What did the US need to make the Monroe

Doctrine effective?