How did the Monroe doctrine influence US foreign policy from 1890 - 1917?

Initial purpose

• Monroe Doctrine warned European powers not to colonize or interfere in the Western Hemisphere

Influence over the Spanish-American war

• The U.S. went to war with Spain, a European power, over its colonies in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

• The conflict was justified partly as enforcing the Monroe Doctrine by removing European colonial influence.

• Influenced US towards imperialism → extending influence beyond its borders

Expansion/edits of the Monroe Doctrine

• President Theodore Roosevelt added the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.

• It declared that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American nations to prevent instability or European involvement

• Interventions in Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua

Big Stick” and Dollar Diplomacy

• Big Stick Diplomacy: Military intervention backed by the Monroe Doctrine.

• Dollar Diplomacy (Taft): Using economic power to influence Latin America while still enforcing the doctrine

Prelude to World War I (1914–1917)

• The Monroe Doctrine shaped U.S. reactions to European activity during WWI.

• Events like the Zimmermann Telegram (1917) reinforced fears of European interference in the Americas.

Overall Significance (1890–1917)

Between 1890 and 1917, the Monroe Doctrine:

• Shifted from non-interventionist warning to interventionist policy

• Justified U.S. imperialism and expansion

• Established the U.S. as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere