Our Affairs, Not Yours: The Monroe Doctrine

2. Our Affairs, Not Yours:The Monroe Doctrine By: Nita Tunga

3. Objective • List one similarity and difference between the Monroe Doctrine and the Declaration of Independence

4. Monroe DoctrineBackground Info • A document made by the United States declaring that Europe should not interfere in American affairs • Named after President Monroe • Written by Secretary of State, John Adams • Created in reaction to the Napoleonic Wars

5. Monroe Doctrine • The United States government exerted military and diplomatic pressure through the Monroe Doctrine • Stated the U.S. was no longer open for colonization • Showed that the political system of Europe differed from the U.S. • Was a defense of America’s natural rights

6. Fears Secretary of State John Adams feared that the British would attempt to get a pledge from the United States saying that they wouldn’t try and conquer land in Spanish America.

7. Comparison to Declaration of Independence • Differences • Written by John Adams • The United States was already independent of Britain • Ended colonization in U.S. • Written by the United States against foreign powers • Similarities: • Stated United States’ independence against Europe • Created for the well-being of the U.S. • Caused Europe to recognize America as an individual country

8. Pros and Cons • Declaration of Independence • Pros • America gained independence from Britain • Could create own democracy • France as an ally • Cons • America had to fend for itself • Merchants had to find new markets • Had no example to follow

9. Pros and Cons • Monroe Doctrine • Pros • Were free of European interference • No more colonization • Defense of natural rights • Cons • Could be used against America • Left America only country to defend itself