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The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. foreign policy framework addressing America’s security and commercial interests in the Western Hemisphere. How the United States practiced this policy changed over time. In these videos, we share the basics and evolution of the Monroe Doctrine and how it impacted Latin American nations in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

The Monroe Doctrine was an important part of early U.S. foreign policy that aimed to stop European influence in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. President James Monroe described the idea in 1823, and its creation came at a time of shifting global power dynamics. Learn what a doctrine is and how the Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. 

As Latin American countries began to declare their independence from the Spanish and Portuguese, the United States feared interference from the European powers. Monroe consulted with his Secretary of State and decided to proclaim in an address before Congress that the Americas were closed to recolonization. How was this a statement of independence? How did the doctrine test old and new diplomatic relations? 

How Did Central America Influence the Monroe Doctrine?

The early 1800s were a time of revolution in Latin America. In an attempt to establish an independent government, a group of San Salvadorans traveled to the United States to make a bid for U.S. statehood. A cross-continental journey closed with a message of diplomatic friendship to the U.S. government.

See how a quest influenced the creation of the Monroe Doctrine. 

What Did the Monroe Doctrine Mean to Brazil?

In the late 1880s, a change of government and a trade crisis highlighted the common interests of the Brazilian government, American corporations, and the U.S. government. 

When a civil war erupted, a trade blockade threatened U.S. corporate interests. As foreign policy directly impacts business, American businessmen were heavily involved in resolving this dilemma. Enter Charles Flint, who used unconventional methods to ensure economic stability. 

Learn how one man’s adventure changed the application of the Monroe Doctrine at the end of the 19th century. 

What is the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?

The Roosevelt Corollary justified U.S. intervention in the affairs of Latin American countries, which often led to periods of U.S. occupation. 

Until the end of the 19th century, the Monroe Doctrine was applied as a defensive mechanism to warn against  European influence in the Western Hemisphere. President Theodore Roosevelt introduced an aggressive foreign policy change with an addition to the Monroe Doctrine called the Roosevelt Corollary. The Roosevelt Corollary instigated prolonged periods of U.S. military intervention in Latin American countries. These interventionist acts harmed relationships between the United States and Latin American countries, leading to modern efforts to regain trust.

In this video, learn what the Roosevelt Corollary is and how it changed the foreign policy meaning behind the Monroe Doctrine. 

Engaging with the Lessons of the Monroe Doctrine

Equip your classroom with our specialized lesson plan using the Monroe Doctrine video series. Explore the lesson plan and extension activity designed to help students understand the Monroe Doctrine’s historical significance and enduring influence on American foreign policy. 

Materials & Links

• Lesson Plan
• Slides
• Student Packet – Includes KWL Chart and Writing Exercise 
• Extension Activity – Monroe Doctrine Political Cartoon  

Standards Alignment

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source. 
• VUS.11.b: Explaining the international significance of U.S. decisions and actions, including, but not limited to, the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, the Spanish-American War, the acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii, and the Panama Canal construction

Recommended Grade Levels

• 9th-12th Grade

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