Thursday, October 22, 2009

Monroe Doctrine

To what extent was Monroe's Doctrine a break from Washington's policy of neutrality and Jefferson's policy of peaceful coercion?

3 comments:

  1. Basically, the main purpose of the Monroe Doctrine was to provide self-defense for America. It warned European powers of non-colonization and nonintervention, especially while America was still extending its borders out to the west. Washington's policy was to not interfere with European affairs, as said in his farewell address when his term ended. That ended in neutrality with France and Britain in the upcoming wars from then. Jefferson's policy of peaceful coercion was to not be violent and prevent wars from breaking out if not necessary. Monroe's Doctrine was simply a solution to all of their policies.

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  2. The Monroe Doctrine can be summed up by me.

    "Can't touch this."

    As Britain had to protect its Latin American trade centers no matter what, America had a golden opportunity. They could stick their proverbial tongues at all of Europe, and then hide behind the skirts of Britain's mighty navy. Essentially... "Yo, Europe, and Russia too, U can't touch this."

    This clearly represented a departure from the neutrality and peaceful coercion of Monroe's presidential ancestors. Washington tried to stay out of international politics (with the Neutrality Proclamation and his Farewell Address), while Jefferson resorted to subtle ways of dealing with other nations (the Embargo). This, however, was a defiant and nationalistic blast that was completely different from the passive foreign policy of old. This was an active declaration of absolute and inviolable sovereignty over North America.

    It is also interesting to note: our policy of "u can't touch this" hasn't really changed much since then. From the Monroe Doctrine to the present day, with the over-securitization of the US-Mexico border and our attempt to overpower the planet with our military, it seems distinctly American to resent other people "touching" us.

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  3. Washington had a Neutrality Proclamation saying that he didn't want to get involved in any way with any other country.Jackson had a policy of peaceful coercion because he wanted America to be different from war-torn Europe. He didn't single out any countries and tried to solve issues peacefully.
    The Monroe Doctrine stated that European powers should not intervene in New World affairs. This was different from the other policies because America was issuing a warning and saying that there would be consequences if the doctrine was not followed. The Monroe Doctrine wasn't a solution to the other policies---it was the opposite of the other policies.

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