American Studies
Foreign Policy
The United States
19th Century
Manifest Destiny
Isolationism
( A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political
affairs of other countries.)
Colonialism
(the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it
with settlers, and exploiting it economically.)
Business Interests
The Monroe Doctrine: 1823
This was a US foreign policy regarding domination of the Americas. It stated that further efforts by
European nations to take control of any independent state in North or South America would be
viewed as “the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.” At the same
time, the doctrine noted that the US would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor
meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. The Doctrine was issued at the time when
nearly all Latin American colonies of Spain and Portugal had achieved or were at the point of gaining
independence from Portuguese and Spanish Empires.
Sphere of influence
Roosevelt Corollary 1904
This was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine; however, it could be seen as a departure. While the
Monroe Doctrine said European countries should stay out of Latin America, the Roosevelt Corollary
took this further to say he had the right to exercise military force in Latin American countries to keep
European countries out.
Foreign Policy
The United States
19th Century
Manifest Destiny
Isolationism
( A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political
affairs of other countries.)
Colonialism
(the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it
with settlers, and exploiting it economically.)
Business Interests
The Monroe Doctrine: 1823
This was a US foreign policy regarding domination of the Americas. It stated that further efforts by
European nations to take control of any independent state in North or South America would be
viewed as “the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.” At the same
time, the doctrine noted that the US would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor
meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. The Doctrine was issued at the time when
nearly all Latin American colonies of Spain and Portugal had achieved or were at the point of gaining
independence from Portuguese and Spanish Empires.
Sphere of influence
Roosevelt Corollary 1904
This was an addition to the Monroe Doctrine; however, it could be seen as a departure. While the
Monroe Doctrine said European countries should stay out of Latin America, the Roosevelt Corollary
took this further to say he had the right to exercise military force in Latin American countries to keep
European countries out.
