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HISTORY
Subject : History
(For under graduate student.)
Background
In order to understand the origin and meaning of the Monroe
Doctrine we must first contextualize the document.
Elaborating on this matter Dexter Perkins has argued that,
“To Americans, European absolutism in 1823 was a system as
odious, and as devoid of moral sanctions, as Nazi Germany or
Stalinist Russia.” (Michael Schmid, 2007).
our peace and happiness; nor can anyone believe that our
own southern brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it of
their own accord.” (Martin Sicker, 2002). This categorical
announcement led to the creation of the strategic American
geo-political site of the ‘western hemisphere’; a ploy to secure
the American borders as a threat to America’s neighbors was
a threat to its own security.
The United States was not very strong during this period, in
terms of military or naval power. With the threat of likely
transgression of the borders of her neighbors by the
continental powers it became America’s prime concern to
ensure that the European powers did not discover her rather
unstable defenses and this according to Professor Palit, led
America to adopt a strong policy statement. The positive
outcome of this concern was the Monroe doctrine.
and its neighbours. It was in this very principle that the larger
idea of ‘western hemisphere’ was born. “Broadly speaking,
the choice of security policies that the U.S faced was between
traditional hemispheric isolationism and a limited adherence
to the principle of collective security. For most of the people
and their representative in Congress the rising spectre war in
Europe and Asia only confirmed a determination that America
could and must remain aloof, and strengthened the
underlying assumption of Monroeism......” (John A. Logan,
1961). But gradually, under the duress exerted on the
American policy by the ever evolving foreign and domestic
matters the Monroe Principle was metamorphosed into a
doctrine with a clear imperialist stand.