“Back Off!” the US is in charge of the Western Hemisphere Monroe Doctrine “Back Off!” the US is in charge of the Western Hemisphere

What is the Western Hemisphere? US Canada Mexico Central American countries South American countries Caribbean Countries

Important points of the Doctrine Point 1 US will not get involved with countries in Europe that are fighting each other. Example- Britain and France

Important points of the Doctrine Point 2 US would not interfere with countries, colonies, or provinces in Western Hemisphere

Important points of the Doctrine Point 3 Western Hemisphere is NOT open to colonization!

Important points of the Doctrine Point 4 If a European country tries to interfere politically with a country by taking over (invading with hopes to take control of it) the US will react as if this threat was directed at them and take action

Why did the US take this stance? US and Britain concerned Spain would try and “retake” areas in the Western Hemisphere they had given away by allowing this area's independence US concerned with Russia’s ambitions to take territory in the US Northwest coast

Initial Impact Sat idle as most European Nations really had no desire to take back the land, countries, provinces, and territories in the Western Hemisphere US was not considered a “Major Power” in 1823 US did not invoke these ideas until 1848 when then President Polk reiterated Monroe’s principles in Warning Spain about establishing any foothold in Oregon, California and the Yucatan Peninsula