Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

The Monroe Doctrine

• Who declared the Monroe Doctrine?

• When was the Monroe Doctrine declared?

• What were the three things outlined by the Monroe Doctrine?

The Monroe Doctrine was declared by President James Monroe in 1823.

The Monroe Doctrine outlined the claim that the US placed on the New World as an exclusive US sphere of influence.

The Monroe Doctrine Stated that:

• US policy was to avoid becoming involved in European wars unless American interests were involved

• ‘American continents’ were not to be colonised by any European powers

• Any such attempts would be classed as un-friendly

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

US Isolationism

• What does ‘isolationism’ mean?

• When did America adopt a policy of isolationism?

• Which factors contributed toward America wanting to and being able to adopt a policy of isolationism?

‘Isolationism’ is the term used when a country takes an approach of not getting involved in other countries’ affairs.

America adopted a policy of isolationism between the years 1865 and 1890.

Some factors that enabled America to adopt a policy of isolationism were:

• US Superiority: America felt superior compared to its imperialist competitors

• Weaker border neighbors: Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America were not major threats to America’s interests

• Natural Barriers: America is surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

• Sufficient Natural Resources: America felt there was no need for imports

• European Powers: Other global powers such as those in Europe (France and Britain) were thousands of miles away

• Immigrants from Europe: Wanted to escape persecution and discrimination in Europe and so the USA became populated by immigrants

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

US Mexican Relations

• In 1861, who led the Second French Empire?

• Why did Napoleon III want to invade Mexico?

• How far did the Mexican invasion go?

• Who led the invasion?

• What was the invasion of Mexico seen as a violation to?

• How did the US government react to the invasion of Mexico?

• What was the outcome of The Second Franco-Mexican War?

In 1861, the Second French Empire (1852-1870) was led by Napoleon III (who was the nephew of The Napoleon).

Napoleon III wanted to invade Mexico to establish a government there that was favorable to French interests.

The French invasion was led by Maximilian von Habsburg (who was from Austria but was installed as Emperor of Mexico by the French) and took over Mexico City.

The invasion of Mexico was seen as a violation to the Monroe Doctrine, and America needed to react. They sent 50,000 soldiers to the US Mexican border and threatened to invade. The French were outnumbered and forced to back down and abandon Maximilian, who was shot.

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

Midway Island

• When did the US claim the Midway Island?

• Where is the Midway Island?

• Why did the US want to claim to Midway Island? What benefits did it have for them?

• Which treaty endorsed the free movement of people between the USA and China? When was this treaty formed?

• Why did America feel they would benefit from free movement between the USA and China?

Midway Island is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (between Western America and Eastern Asia).

The US claimed the Midway Island in 1867 to promote trade with China.

The 1868 Burlingame Treaty endorsed the free movement of people between the USA and China. Chinese immigrants helped to build the railroads in America.

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

The Alaska Purchase

• When did the USA purchase Alaska?

• Which country did the USA purchase Alaska from?

• How much did America pay for Alaska?

• Why did this country want to sell Alaska?

• Why did the USA want to buy Alaska?

• What natural material did the USA benefit from being in Alaska after they purchased it?

The USA purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (this is cheap!).

Many Americans could not understand why America had purchased Alaska with some nicknaming the land “Seward’s icebox” and “Seward’s folly” (folly meaning mistake).

Russia felt they could sell Alaska because there were few settlers and resources in Alaska.

America wanted to buy Alaska because

• the Alaskan harbors provided a getaway to North Asia

• America could expand their pacific coastline

• Keep Britain out of Alaska

• USA could maintain a good relationship with Russia

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

The Dominican Republic

• In what year did the Dominican Republic offer itself for colonisation?

• Which country did it offer itself to for colonisation?

• Why did this country refuse to colonise the Dominican Republic?

• What happened a year after Congress refused to admit the Dominican Republic to America? What did this lead to?

• Those in favour of admitting the Dominican Republic to the United States argued what?

• Those against admitting the Dominican Republic to America argued what?

• What was the final decision made about the Dominican Republic?

In 1869, the Dominican Republic offered itself for colonialisation to the US but Congress refused because the people of the Dominican Republic were not White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. In the following year, the federal government tried to annex the Dominican Republic. This caused confusion within Congress about the issue of imperial expansion.

Those in favour of admitting the Dominican Republic argued that the USA would be able to exploit the wealth and resources of the country and sell them.

Those against the admission of the Dominican Republic argued that the USA should not have to deal with ‘savages’. There was a fear that the people in the Dominican Republic, who were regarded as inferior, would one day be admitted into the Union.

The Senate rejected the annexation of the Dominican Republic.

Topic 1, Lesson 13: What was the Monroe Doctrine?

US and British Tensions over Canada

• What caused some of the US and British tensions over Canada in 1872?

• What was the consequence of the US and British tensions over Canada in 1872?

Causes:

• Britain and Canada gave support to the Confederacy during the Civil War

• The USA demanded compensation from Britain

• The USA wanted $2 billion or alternatively the ceding of Canada

Consequence:

• Britain agreed to pay $15.5 million to the USA for the damage caused by Confederate commerce raiders built in Britain.