1.Monroe Doctrine

James Monroe（1758-1831）

With the end of the War of 1812，the United States entered a period of prosperity and political harmony.Manufacturing industry developed fast in the Northeast，while in the South cotton replaced tobacco and rice as the leading export.During this period，most political leaders were in agreement that the federal government should be given more power to control the American economy.In 1816James Monroe，a Democratic-Republican，was elected as the fifth US President.During his administration，he bought Florida from Spain in 1819，and peacefully resolved the problem of the admission of Missouri to the Union as a slave state.Perhaps his popularity survived mainly for his foreign policy usually known as the Monroe Doctrine.The Doctrine，announced in 1823，included four points.First，the United States would not interfere in the affairs of colonies still owned by European nations in the New World.Second，any effort on the part of European nations to extend their system to any portion of the Western Hemisphere would be regarded as dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States.Third，European nations should not intervene in the affairs of independent nations of the New World.Fourth，the American continents are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.The essence of the Doctrine was“America for Americans”，which later became a cornerstone of the US foreign policy.As the New World developed in the years ahead this Doctrine became more meaningful and was strengthened by a broader interpretation to meet the needs of an energetic and ambitious United States.