John Quincy Adams introduced the Monroe Doctrine on December 2, 1823, when he served as Secretary of State under President Monroe.  Basically, it warned European nations not to interfere with or attempt to colonize territories in North and South America or else the United States would intervene militarily.

At the time, almost all former European colonies had obtained their independence except for Cuba and Puerto Rico.  Of particular interest, given subsequent American involvement in World Wars One and Two in Europe, the Doctrine also stated that the US would consequently stay out of internal concerns of European nations as well as their existing European colonies elsewhere in the world. Of course, we know from history and current events today that this never happened.

If you remember, the timing for this was less than a decade following the War of 1812 when the US did not have the military might to enforce the Doctrine. The Washington, DC capital had been burned by the British and the American attempt to invade Canada had failed following numerous battles including the US burning of Toronto in an invasion attempt.

While many European leaders laughed at the upstart United States, which did not have a strong navy or army during these early years, for proposing a doctrine they could not enforce, like most of history, the reality was somewhat different. The Doctrine was actually enforced through the American War Between the States period, mostly by British naval power defending their trade with South America that at the time was a far larger trading partner than the US.

The British approved of the Doctrine because of concern the Latin American states could again become Spanish colonies, thus cutting off their trade and exports. Therefore, the Monroe Doctrine was actually the first Anglo-American measure following the War for Independence and the War of 1812 and set the stage for 200 years of British and American elites working together to advance their unique interests and profits at the expense of the rest of the world.

The Monroe Doctrine has continued for almost 200 years and has at times served the Western hemisphere well in keeping out most European intrusions.  This continued until at least the late 19th century when it became useful as a pretext for American expansion and colonialism in the Americas.

Continue: http://thedailybell.com/4280/Ron-Holland-Repeal-The-Monroe-Doctrine