Around the time of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1820s, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia all gained their independence from Spanish control ("Monroe Doctrine" 617). The United States was the first nation to recognize their independence from Spain. The European powers had still considered the new nations as still belonging to Spain. The Americans had a sense of pride in the former Spanish colonies gaining independence. They felt as if the American Revolution was a model for these new Latin American nations (Faragher 265).

After Napoleon went down, the monarchy in Spain regained power ("Monroe Doctrine" 617). The Spanish had felt embarrassed after losing their colonies to independence. In 1815 Tsar Alexander I of Russia and the monarchs of Austria and Prussia formed the Holy Alliance. This alliance was a group set out to maintain autocrac

Great Britain refused to let the Spanish take back their now independent colonies. As free countries the new Spanish-American nations could trade more goods with Great Britain. However, if Spain regains control of their former colonies then trade with Great Britain would decrease drastically ("Monroe Doctrine" 617).

Williams, Harry T. The History of American Wars. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1981.

Richard Rush, an American Minister, had been asked the question, by George Canning, if he could make a joint declaration between the United States and Great Britain. Rush was startled by Canning's proposition, since it had been only 40 years since the American Revolution and the War of 1812 was just awhile back (May 3). At first without consulting John Q. Adams he had agreed to. President Monroe favored this idea along with former presidents Jefferson and Madison. Jefferson had said with Great Britain, "on our side, we not fear the world" ("Monroe Doctrine" 617).

The Monroe Doctrine also set up further protection of United States interest. The Carter Doctrine, by President Jimmy Carter, was modeled after the Monroe Doctrine. The Carter Doctrine was aimed to protest United States claim in the Persian Gulf. It was in response to the Soviet Union's attempt to obtain a warm water port in the Persian Gulf area. The Untied States wanted to protect this area from the Soviet Union due to the fact that the Persian Gulf is rich in oil deposits, which is crucial to the United States economy (Faragher 992).

On December 2nd, 1823 President James Monroe made his most famous message to congress (Williams 135). The Monroe Doctrine was aimed mainly at the nations of Spain and Russia. It consisted of three main parts. First the doctrine specifically states that, "...we (US) should consider any attempt on their (European Powers) part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety." The President made it clear to Europe that the United States would go against any attempt to take control of any independent country of the New World. The message goes on to say, "In the wars of the European Powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does is comport with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparations for our defense." This lets the European nations know that the United States would not interfere with European affairs, such as

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Approximate Word count = 1682
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)