The Monroe Doctrine is a foreign policy statement that was introduced by President James Monroe in 1823. It was articulated in Monroes seventh annual message to Congress and warned European powers not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. The doctrine made four basic points:

• The United States would not interfere in the internal affairs of or the wars between European powers.
• The United States recognized and would not interfere with existing colonies and dependencies in the Western Hemisphere.
• The Western Hemisphere was closed to future colonization.
• If a European power tried to interfere with any nation in the Americas, that would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.

The Monroe Doctrine was a response to concerns in both Britain and the United States that the Continental powers would attempt to restore Spains former colonies in Latin America, many of which had become newly independent nations. The doctrine was an outgrowth of concern about Russias territorial ambitions in the northwest coast of North America. The Monroe Doctrine has been expanded over the years, and it has become a longstanding tenet of U.S. foreign policy.