In 1823, President James Monroe delivered stern warning to the powers of Europe, stating that any interference with the the Latin American countries that have declared their independence would be considered a "manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States." In other words, an attack on those nations would be an attack on the United States. America was not only preparing to defend itself, but the entire Western hemisphere, and was willing to take action against any and all invaders. This became known as "The Monroe Doctrine".
After the United States won it's independence from Great Britain a number of other revolutions followed in South America beginning with Haiti, a French slave colony. By 1819, when Columbia won it's independence from Spain in the Battle of Bocoya, the entire Northern region of South America seemed to be on the verge of Independence. In that year, the Congress of Angosura declared Gran Columbia to be an independent country. Gran Columbia encompassed present day Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama plus parts of Peru, Guyana and Brazil. Through out these revolutions, the United States had pledged to remain neutral, but as the fighting continued, U.S. merchants and other U.S. interests began suffering injuries. A prime example of this was the New England Rum industry that was hit hard by the instability in South America, especially the Portuguese colony of Brazil triggered by the liberal revolution of 1820 in Portugal. A triangular trade of sugar or molasses for slaves from Europe, which by the 18th century, had helped New England had become one of the leading rum producers in the world. Much of this molasses came from Portuguese colonies like Brazil. On September 7, 1822 Brazil won it's independence from Portugal, but Portugal had not yet recognized Brazil's sovereignty.
During the Portuguese revolution, the United States had been a spectator, and President Monroe stated in 1822, that "a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the condition of the people of those countries". There was hope that the revolutions would be contained and that both Spain and Portugal would moderate their reactions. But in 1823, Monroe expressed that the actual events were "so far very different from what was then anticipated". In his 1823, State of the Union Address, Madison remarked: " Of events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse and from which we derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators."
Yet, Monroe wanted to make it very clear, the United States had no intention of interfering. The citizens cherish freedoms and sincerely desired that liberty and happiness be enjoyed by "their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic", but America would not take any part in the wars of Europe. It was not U.S. policy to interfere with the struggles of Europe, but when our "rights are invaded or seriously menaced", the United States would make preparations for our defense. Thus, when the fighting in Europe spills over into the Western hemisphere, the United States must take precautions. America had proven that it will defend itself. The "political system" (democracy) of the United States is unlike that of Europe, and is one that has been achieved at a great cost of blood and treasure. Surely, the powers of Europe will recognized that the entire nation is devoted to preserving it.
It was in this context that, President James Monroe delivered a stern warning to all of Europe in his 1823 State of the Union address, that the United States shall "consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety". President Monroe explained, that the United States has not interfered and will not interfere with any existing European colonies, but the United States will protect any independent nation such as Brazil from interference from the European powers. Monroe went even further. He warned that any attempt by European power that would try to impose their will on these independent powers of Latin America for the purposes of "oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny" would be considered by the United States as an act of "unfriendly disposition toward the United States". And again, an attack on those nations would be an attack on the United States. America was not only preparing to defend itself, but the entire Western hemisphere, and was willing to take action against any and all invaders. This will be forever remembered as "The Monroe Doctrine".
Here is the full excerpt from Monroe's 1823 State of the Union Address:
"It was stated at the commencement of the last session that a great effort was then making in Spain and Portugal to improve the condition of the people of those countries, and that it appeared to be conducted with extraordinary moderation. It need scarcely be remarked that the result has been so far very different from what was then anticipated. Of events in that quarter of the globe, with which we have so much intercourse and from which we derive our origin, we have always been anxious and interested spectators.
The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do.
It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense. With the movements in this hemisphere we are of necessity more immediately connected, and by causes which must be obvious to all enlightened and impartial observers.
The political system of the allied powers is essentially different in this respect from that of America. This difference proceeds from that which exists in their respective Governments; and to the defense of our own, which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure, and matured by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens, and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole nation is devoted.
We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere, but with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.
In the war between those new Governments and Spain we declared our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur which, in the judgment of the competent authorities of this Government, shall make a corresponding change on the part of the United States indispensable to their security."In 1824, as Monroe was leaving office, he reiterated his doctrine towards Latin America. He once again promised neutrality towards the countries of Europe, but not with our neighbors to the South.
"With respect to the contest to which our neighbors are a party, it is evident that Spain as a power is scarcely felt in it. These new States had completely achieved their independence before it was acknowledged by the United States, and they have since maintained it with little foreign pressure. The disturbances which have appeared in certain portions of that vast territory have proceeded from internal causes, which had their origin in their former Governments and have not yet been thoroughly removed.
It is manifest that these causes are daily losing their effect, and that these new States are settling down under Governments elective and representative in every branch, similar to our own. In this course we ardently wish them to persevere, under a firm conviction that it will promote their happiness. In this, their career, however, we have not interfered, believing that every people have a right to institute for themselves the government which, in their judgment, may suit them best.
Our example is before them, of the good effect of which, being our neighbors, they are competent judges, and to their judgment we leave it, in the expectation that other powers will pursue the same policy. The deep interest which we take in their independence, which we have acknowledged, and in their enjoyment of all the rights incident thereto, especially in the very important one of instituting their own Governments, has been declared, and is known to the world.
Separated as we are from Europe by the great Atlantic Ocean, we can have no concern in the wars of the European Governments nor in the causes which produce them. The balance of power between them, into whichever scale it may turn in its various vibrations, can not affect us. It is the interest of the United States to preserve the most friendly relations with every power and on conditions fair, equal, and applicable to all.
But in regard to our neighbors our situation is different. It is impossible for the European Governments to interfere in their concerns, especially in those alluded to, which are vital, without affecting us; indeed, the motive which might induce such interference in the present state of the war between the parties, if a war it may be called, would appear to be equally applicable to us. It is gratifying to know that some of the powers with whom we enjoy a very friendly intercourse, and to whom these views have been communicated, have appeared to acquiesce in them."
http://
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29466
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_American_wars_of_independence
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/05/1819-james-monroe-battle-of-boyaca.html
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/07/1821-james-monroe-portuguese-liberal.html
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