The Monroe Doctrine

In his December 2, 1823 address to Congress, President James Monroe declared that the American continents, because of their free and independent condition, were no longer to be considered open to future colonization by European powers, and that any attempt by Europe to extend its system to any part of the hemisphere or to oppress or control governments whose independence had been declared, maintained, and acknowledged by the United States would be regarded as dangerous to the nation's peace and safety and as an unfriendly disposition toward the United States, while the United States would not interfere with existing European colonies or dependencies.

Sandusky, Ohio · United States