Articulated in President James Monroe’s seventh annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823. It declared the Western Hemisphere closed to further European colonization and became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
Key Passages
On colonization:“The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”On European intervention:
“We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.”On non-interference:
“In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do.”