Monroe+Doctrine

The **Monroe Doctrine** was an exclusive statement of American policy warning European powers not to interfere with the Americas.

President Madison outlined the four basic points of the **Monroe Doctrine** on December 2, 1823 during his annual message to Congress.

1. The United States would not interfere in the affairs of European nations. 2. The United States would recognize, and not interfere with, colonies that already existed in North and South America. 3. The Western Hemisphere was to be off-limits to future colonization by any foreign power. 4.The United States would consider any European power’s attempt to colonize or interfere with any nation in the Western Hemisphere to be a hostile act.

Some Europeans strongly criticized the Monroe Doctrine, but few European countries challenged it. The doctrine has remained important to U.S. foreign policy. The United States has continued to consider Latin America within its sphere of influence—the area a nation claims some control over. At times, it has intervened in Latin American affairs when its own interests, such as national security, were at risk.

“Holt Social Studies United States History.” 20 Feb 2009 .