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The Monroe Doctrine
NOTE: This was President James Monroe’s seventh address to Congress. It is significant in that it set forth a policy that the United States would no longer tolerate European colonization of the Americas. The apparent misspellings of the words St. Petersburg, defense, and judgment (among others) reflect the spellings in accordance to the period in which they were written.
December 2, 1823
At the proposal of the Russian Imperial
Government, made through the minister of the Emperor residing here, a full power
and instructions have been transmitted to the Minister of the United States at St.
Petersburgh to arrange, by amicable negotiation, the respective rights and interests
of the two nations on the northwest coast of this continent. A similar proposal
has been made by His Imperial Majesty to the Government of Great Britain, which
has likewise been acceded to. The Government of the United States has been desirous,
by this friendly proceeding, of manifesting the great value which they have invariably
attached to the friendship of the Emperor, and their solicitude to cultivate the
best understanding with his Government. In the discussions to which this interest
has given rise, and in the arrangements by which they may terminate the occasion
has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests
of the United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and
independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to
be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers....
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 to
do so. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced, that we resent
injuries, or make preparation for our defence. 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 defence
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
towards 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 judgement
of the competent authorities of this government, shall make a corresponding change,
on the part of the United States, indispensable to their security.
The late events in Spain and Portugal, shew that Europe is still unsettled. Of this
important fact, no stronger proof can be adduced than that the allied powers should
have thought it proper, on any principle satisfactory to themselves, to have interposed,
by force, in the internal concerns of Spain. To what extent such interposition may
be carried, on the same principle, is a question, to which all independent powers,
whose governments differ from theirs, are interested; even those most remote, and
surely none more so than the United States. Our policy, in regard to Europe, which
was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter
of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal
concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto as the legitimate
government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those
relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy; meeting, in all instances, the just
claims of every power; submitting to injuries from none. But, in regard to these
continents, circumstances are eminently and conspicuously different. It is impossible
that the allied powers should extend their political system to any portion of either
continent, without endangering our peace and happiness: nor can any one believe
that our Southern Brethren, if left to themselves, would adopt it of their own accord.
It is equally impossible, therefore, that we should behold such interposition, in
any form, with indifference. If we look to the comparative strength and resources
of Spain and those new governments, and their distance from each other, it must
be obvious that she can never subdue them. It is still the true policy of the United
States to leave the parties to themselves, in the hope that other powers will pursue
the same course.
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