The Monroe Doctrine was issued for several reasons. Spain
had lost its American Empire, and there was little hope of restoring it. However, French
troops had entered Spain in 1823; and attempted to restore the Spanish King. There were
rumors that the French intended to also restore the old Spanish Empire in the Americas.
Some consideration was given to an alliance with Great Britain to prevent this from
happening; however there was still the traditional fear of "entangling alliances" with
European countries. Secretary of State John Q. Adams
commented,
It
would be more candid as well as more dignified to avow our principles explicitly to
Russia and France than to come in as a cockboat in the wake of the British
man-of-war."
The British were
concerned that the U.S. might attempt to take Cuba, Texas and California. Adams was
afraid that any alliance with the British would necessarily entail a commitment not to
do so. So, rather than tie the U.S. to the British, President Monroe followed Adams
advice and issued the Doctrine. At the time, European powers paid it no attention, and
commented that it was obviously for "domestic consumption." It had no standing in
International Law, was only valid because of the strength of the British Navy, and
wasn't even called the Monroe Doctrine until 1852.
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