The Monroe Doctrine was a speech given in 1823 by James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States, to the U.S. Congress concerning European presence in the Western Hemisphere. Monroe was becoming continuously concerned about European influence in the region. While the primary audience for this message was Congress, the intended audience was all European powers, including Russia, and Latin America. The events in Latin America before and after the Spanish-American War will be used as an example of the imperial reach by the U.S. The United States, ironically, became an imperial power through its mission outlined in the Monroe Doctrine to end European colonialism and imperialism. The doctrine vocalizes the United States’ entitlement to manage the affairs of all countries within both American continents. Monroe …show more content…
U.S. manufacturers can sell their products to the markets of these countries and can invest in the resources available. Cuba was an especially sought after territory because it provided a vast market, an investment territory, and a cultural outpost for Americans (Paterson 348). Due to its economic and political influence in the region, the U.S. had a hand in the affairs of many Latin American countries. In the late 1800s, sixty-four percent of Guatemala’s trade was managed by the U.S. (Paterson 346). While this may appear to be a generous gesture, their involvement was conducted with minimal consent from the country they controlled. The U.S. refused to consult countries in the regions about their affairs (Paterson 347). As a result, many countries involved in the Spanish-American war formed liberation movements to combat the influence of Spain and the U.S. In conclusion, the U.S. had superimposed its influence over these countries by managing their trade and governmental affairs and created a regional