in the 1820s European Empires were still expanding they were eager to reclaim colonies and to assert their dominance over the Americas at this time a young United States decided to take an aggressive stance with a message to the world hands off the Western Hemisphere this was the Monroe Doctrine a groundbreaking declaration that not only shaped US foreign policy but also redefined America's role in the world the Monroe Doctrine was a foreign policy statement delivered by President James Monroe on December the 2nd 1823 in his annual address to Congress Monroe declared that the Americas were off limits to new European colonization and interference it was a bold move essentially warning Europe that the Western Hemisphere was under us protection and any attempts to recolonize or interfere would be seen as a threat to American Security but what led to this strong stance there were several key events that inspired the Monroe Doctrine first many Latin American nations were gaining independence from Spain and Portugal during the early 19th century the us as a Young Nation itself sympathized with these new Republics and wanted to protect them from European recolonization second the European powers led by the holy Alliance of Russia Prussia and Austria were working to restore monarchies and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideals there were concerns that these Powers might intervene in Latin America to help Spain regain control of its lost colonies there was also fear of Russian expansion along the Pacific coast of North America Russia had already begun establishing outposts in Alaska and was moving Southward raising alarms in the US what were the key points of the Monroe Doctrine first the Americas were closed to any new European colonization secondly European nations were warned not to interfere in the internal affairs of countries in the western hemisphere thirdly in exchange the US promised it would not interfere in European Affairs or in existing European colonies why was the Monroe Doctrine important it laid the foundation for US influence in the Western Hemisphere and promoted us expansion also it is important to note that over the years the Monro Doctrine would evolve it would evolve to fit the needs of the US and the changing geopolitical environment while initially aimed at preventing European interference in Latin America it would also be used to provide justification for us W territorial Ambitions between 1840 and 1860 the Monroe Doctrine would influence western expansion it did so by reinforcing the idea that the Western Hemisphere was under American influence and control with the support of the belief in Manifest Destiny the US would quickly expand and swallow up large areas in the west the Monro Doctrine would evolve again in 1904 at first the doctrine was more of a defensive statement but in 1904 president Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary which gave the doctrine teeth the corollary asserted the US had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to stabilize them this Justified numerous us interventions in Latin American Affairs and cemented us dominance and aggression in the region during the Cold War the doctrine would be revived to combat the Soviet influence in the region leading to us involvement in various Latin American countries Affairs and even coups and nowadays while less interventionist the Monroe doctrine's core principle of Us's influence survives but it is now more focused on economic ties the promotion of democracy and security concerns [Music]