Monroe Doctrine Presented to Congress: On This Day, 1823

On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe delivered his annual message to Congress. In one portion, now known as the Monroe Doctrine, he declared that the United States would not meddle in European affairs, and warned European powers not to interfere in the Western Hemisphere. From then on, a European attempt to assert control over any territory in the Western Hemisphere, through attack, colonization, or puppet monarchs, would be viewed as a threat to America as well.

The doctrine was a response to growing unease about European powers jockeying for control or territory and trade in the Western Hemisphere. These fears were not entirely unfounded: in 1821, Russia gained control of the Pacific Northwest and closed down foreign trade. Meanwhile, rumors of Spanish plans to regain former Latin American colonies worried both the United States and Britain.

You can view the Monroe Doctrine portion of the 1823 address here, and read a transcript here.