The other striking aspect of James Monroe's two terms in office is what is referred to as the "Monroe Doctrine". Here is the key section of this speech given in December 1823: North and South America "are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." Basically, Monroe (and John Q. Adams-his Secretary of State-who wrote the speech) were saying the Western Hemisphere was off limits to Europe from that point forward. If anyone was going to control, colonize or tamper with Latin & South America, it would be US. (Get it? US? U.S.? Hahaha). Also, to be fair, the Doctrine also claimed America would not mess with Europe or become involved in their issues.
The Doctrine was basically forgotten until Polk's administration in the 1840s when we went to war with Mexico/Spain. European countries did leave this hemisphere alone, largely because the British Navy patrolled the ocean and not because America's army was imposing and powerful.
Take a look at these political cartoons below. In the comment sections, describe how each cartoon demonstrates/illustrates the Monroe Doctrine. Also, why do you think Monroe and his administration felt they had the right to declare an entire hemisphere "off limits" to the rest of the world?
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| The sign in the bottom-right corner says "Special Notice: All Guests Are Welcome But They Must Not Bring Their Guns." |
The first cartoon, which shows a stop sign and a dotted line between the Americas and Europe, Asia and Africa, seems to show how Monroe just ‘declared’ how he wasn’t going to allow any other countries to set up new colonies in America. Europe says, “What do you mean by “off-limits”.” I think it was pretty bold of Monroe to have J.Q. Adams write that document that declared no one could form any new colonies. The second picture shows a fence around the Americas and a sign that basically says, “You can come as a guest, just don’t bring your guns”. I take this as saying, “we don’t mind if you come as a guest to America, but don’t you dare try to make a new colony”. Picture three shows ‘Uncle Sam’ violently strangling or hanging South America. The way it has the little wavy lines makes me think that maybe its South America ‘agreeing’ with the Monroe Doctrine, without maybe fully agreeing, just being forced to agree, because ‘Uncle Sam’ has a noose around their neck.
ReplyDeleteI think Monroe felt that he had a right to say that no more colonies could be formed because he was the President of almost, if not half of America at that time, and since it was slowly growing, he didn’t want anyone to take ‘his’ land. Plus, I bet he figured since he promised not to bother Europe, that would make up for him telling them what to do.
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In the first cartoon, it shows a stop sign on North America, and an imaginary border that says "Monroe Doctrine" all around the Americas. Europe is basically asking what Monroe meant when he said that the Americas were off limits too Europe.(and everywhere else other than the Americas)I think that depicts it pretty well. I'm sure Europe was very angry that that command that Monroe gave to them. The second picture is basically the same as the first one. North and South America are fenced off from the rest of the world, and that how it stayed for quite some time. The third one is my favorite. It shows Uncle Sam with a rope around some Latino guy's neck, Not sure if that is someone in particular. This is pretty accurate actually. Monroe stated that not only the USA was off limits, but ALL the countries in South America as well. That's a little bit crazy because I can guarantee that he didn't talk to any South American countries about the immigration issue. Anyway, it looks like Monroe took control of both continents. It's one thing for him to say that about the country that he owns, but the countries that he doesn't own? That a pretty bold thing to do. I can understand why he did it though. They were a real country now. They had their own government and things like that. Pretty much the only countries we had gotten into wars with were European countries, and I'm sure he was tired of them interfering with our growing economy.
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The first cartoon showed the stop sign and Europe saying “what do you mean by off limits?” That cartoon is a great description about what James Monroe was doing. It shows that he just acted like he could just say something and everyone in the world would just obey his commands. To me it seemed snobby because he thought he could do that. The next cartoon has a fence around the Americas and a sign that says “All Guests Are Welcome But They Must Not Bring Their Guns." It’s saying guests are okay but you can’t bring your army aka guns to make a colony. The last cartoon has Uncle Sam, who represents North America, hanging the other man, who represents South America. The squiggly lines to me coming from “South America” looks like he is yelling and his face looks like he is mad. It looks like it is supposed to represent America forcing South America to go along with it… because two is better than one, if only one country went along with the Monroe Doctrine then it probably wouldn’t stand a chance but if two countries did it they would most likely “win.” I don’t think James Monroe had any right to make America “off limits” to the rest of the world. I also can not imagine what would’ve happened if he hadn’t. America wouldn’t be America it would most likely be split in to sections because of other countries colonizing. So I’m glad he did! (247)
ReplyDeleteIn the 1st picture it showed a stop sign between the Americas. Then on the other side of the picture it showed Europe questioning why it was off limits. Then in the picturew below it there was a fence around North and South America with a sign off to the side that basically said you are welcome here but do not bring guns. I do not think it literally meant your not allowed to have guns because if you don’t have a criminal record and you have a carry permit you can bring your gun anywhere in America that is not privatly owned with rules against guns. I think it just meant do not come into American claiming our land or putting your country’s soldiers on our land like Britian did after the Revolutionary War. The last picture was harder to figure out and was not my favorite, but I think that it is saying that South America did not really agree so Uncle Sam is forcing them to agree and support us. I think they felt like they had a right because they said we won’t mess with ya’ll if ya’ll do not mess with us. That was a fair way to put it in their minds. I think he included South America in this to because he probably was not sure if they would ever be apart of the USA one day. (234)
ReplyDeleteThe first cartoon is a map of the Americas and Europe. There is an imaginary boundary separating the two continents and a stop sign. This is interesting because stop signs mean that you HAVE to stop; there's no choice but to obey or suffer the consequences. The stop sign shows that the Monroe Doctrine was a command, and there would be punishment for those who don't obey it. The cartoon also shows Europe asking “What do you mean by 'off limits'?” This shows that the rest of the world was kind of shocked and confused at this new young new country just telling everybody else what to do.
ReplyDeleteThe second cartoon shows North and South America with a fence around them and a sign saying, “All guests are welcome but they must not bring their guns.” This is saying that visitors are allowed, but you better not bring an army to try to colonize over here.
I didn't even get the third cartoon until I read the comments. But now that I did, I can see that it's Uncle Sam strangling someone else, who is supposed to represent South America. It depicts that, not only did we feel that we could boss Europe around, but the other countries on the same continent, too. We forced South America to go along with us.
I guess that just because we hadn't really lost a war, James Monroe thought we could say whatever we wanted and the rest of the world would obey. It was very brave and risky of him, but like Tori said, I'm glad he did because the United States wold be completely different without the Monroe Doctrine.(280)
Well I think that was a good idea to do that for the Native Americans so they still can have some land to have of their own. The first cartoon shows me that the line shows as far as the other European countries can go and that only we can have the land. In the second picture it showed me that the whole United States and South America were off limits. It was like a prison except the other way around no one was getting in unless trade. The third picture shows me that one country got in and made a fort or something and that is him getting hanged for doing that. I think that they think they can do that because they think that they were the only ones on that side. So they think they make any laws for that whole side. (144)
ReplyDeleteThe first cartoon shows the border of the US being cut off from Europe and Europe says "What do you mean cut off?" This illustrates the Monroe Doctrine by saying America won't let anyone settle in our territory, and Europe still wants it. The second cartoon has North and South America fenced off with a sign that basically says "Immigrants are welcome, but no one can settle this land for another country. The last cartoon has Uncle Sam strangling South America, this represents The Monroe Doctrine because it's basically cutting off South America and not letting them be near America to settle it. I think they felt they had a right to say America is off-limits because everything was going well in America, there were no foreign troubles. Usually, when things start going well, people tend to get cocky and say they are the best. 147
ReplyDeleteIn this first cartoon the stop sign covers almost of the current are of America. It is also funny how Europe doesn’t really get the statement, “North and South America are off limits.” It was very fearless of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams to say that all of this land is taken. In the second picture with the fence around all of the Americas, I think it is weird that Monroe and Adams said that the South Americas are also off limits when the USA didn’t have part of the country located down there. I guess they were just worried that a European country would come over colonize in South America and later make war with the USA and try to take their land. In the third picture I guess Monroe felt like he owned South America. It seems that his mindset was that since we defeated Great Britain, a European power, we own all of the land on this side of the ocean. (165)
ReplyDeleteIn the first cartoon it looks like America is being very clear by the thick dotted line and stop sign. This shows they were very serious. Europe is asking what they mean by off-limits. I feel as if this shows that they did not expect anyone to be bold and stand up and they couldn't quite comprehend it. In the second picture it shows America being fenced off. On the sign it says you can come and be welcomed but don't bring you guns. This shows that America wanted a peaceful life and was tired of fighting. In the third picture it shows that America had control over South America also. America had already won enough wars that I think they felt it would be ok to claim the hemisphere. Needless to say they were being very brave. (138)
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ReplyDeleteWhen James Monroe made the Monroe Doctrine it was a pretty bold move. The Monroe Doctrine consisted of no one being allowed to colonize anymore in North or South American. He acted like he owned the two continents, he was only the president of the United States. He was our leader not owner. He did not have the right to make that choice for the two continents. In the first picture it shows in a way how he was kinda hoarding the Americas from the rest of the world. In the second picture it shows how controlling Monroe was being of the area. If you were going to be in there you had to follow his rules. In the third picture it shows how he was forcing South America to follow his commands. He was acting like he owned them too. He was kinda arrogant to make the Monroe Doctrine. The Americas were a new place and everyone deserved the right to it but Monroe was keeping it all to himself. He was also being quite selfish in doing so. (180)
ReplyDeleteIn the first picture it is clear that Monroe Doctrine does not anyone to come over to America. Europe seems to be confused by when they say “off limits.” In the second picture just like in the first picture America is blocked off from other countries. The sign say that all guest are welcome but the must not bring their gun. So in other words it is saying that people are welcome to come to America but can not bring over any trouble with them. In the last picture it shows America “killing” South America. It shows that America owned South America and could do whatever he wanted to do with it. In the first two pictures South America is in the picture and in the third they are not. So I think once James M. thought once he had the other countries first he could take over South America last. (160)
ReplyDeleteIn the first picture, the stop sign is the largest item and it is what stands out the most. It shouts "STOP!" The dotted line lets Europe know where America is drawing it's border. America is saying no matter what, no one is allowed in. It is claiming North and South America. Europe is either acting confused or being somewhat sarcastic when they ask "What do you mean by off limits?" The second picture showing barbed-wire also shows ownership of South America by North America. This one says you can come but it must be without weapons, fighting, or colonization. The third one looks like Uncle Sam holding a noose around a man that looks like South America. Uncle Sam is saying South America is tied to North America. It is kind of weird though because if you pull a noose too tight, what is in the noose can die. Maybe Monroe said what he did because he thought America was not strong enough but didn't want others to think the same. (173)
ReplyDeleteI think that the first cartoon with the dotted line along North and South American says that James Monroe thought he could take control over who gets to come over to America. It was a pretty bold move for him to make. It seems like Monroe thought that he "owned" America and he could do what he wanted to with it. The second cartoon has a fence around it. I think that Monroe is trying to say that America was off limits to them. The sign says "All guests are welcome but they must not bring their guns." I think this is saying that James Monroe and John Q. Adams were worried that immigrants were going to try to take over the land or something. The third cartoon is showing that America had control over South America too. Maybe South America didn’t agree with what Monroe and Adams were doing so they got mad and America was going to try to take over them and tell them what to do as well.
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The first cartoon shows a line representing the Monroe Doctrine next to the world’s largest stop sign. After seeing this Europe is basically like ‘what gives you the right!?!?’ The second cartoon shows North and South America surrounded by barbed wire. The sign reflects America’s attitude by basically saying ‘welcome to America… is that a gun? Get out now!!!’ The third cartoon shows Uncle Sam strangling some dude who represents South America. Whoever drew this cartoon must have thought that the Monroe Doctrine was saying that the U.S. now owned all of North and South America. Monroe and his administration probably thought that it was ok to declare the Americas off limits because they felt as if they were the strongest nation in the Americas. (125)
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ReplyDeleteI think that the first cartoon really shows how serious Monroe really was, because it really draws the attention to the big dotted line and the stop sign, and to be honest, I didn't even notice Europe questioning when I first looked at it. So I think the cartoon does a really good job in showing that Europe didn't really have a say in the matter. The second picture shows how much America didn't want do fight, because it says you can come as long as you don't bring guns...(a reasonable proposition haha) And the third cartoon, I really didn't know what to think of, I guess its showing that we are tied to South America, because we are the only people allowed to settle there. But something that kind of caught my eye was how the rope was tied around the man that represented South America's neck. This, to me, shows how we felt a dominance over South America and how we could just take whatever we wanted, kind of like we did with the Native Americans. (179 words)
ReplyDeleteThe first picture shows a dotted line which represents the Monroe doctrine line around North and South America and a big stop sign. They have a speaker tag to Europe and it says “What do you mean by off limits.” I think that it hit Europe by surprise and that they were just confused about how they could not go to the Americas. The second picture shows a picket fence around the Americas. It’s almost like a privacy fence and if anyone steps on their property they get their heads blown off. The third picture shows Uncle Sam hanging I guess a person who lives in South America. It is as if Uncle Sam is saying you better go through with this or you will face the most brutal death possible. I really don’t know why Monroe and his administration would want a full hemisphere to themselves. I guess since they thought that if they had a whole hemisphere to themselves then that would avoid war and disagreements I guess. That’s all I could guess. (175)
ReplyDeleteThe first cartoon picture represents the Monroe doctrine line around North and South America and a very big stop sign. I think the sign hit Europe by surprise and they were very confused about why they could not go to the Americas. The second cartoon picture shows a picket fence around the Americas. This is like a piracy line saying you can't cross over or you will die. The third cartoon picture is of Uncle Sam hanging someone who happens to live in South America. This meant if you don’t go through with what we tell you, you will get hung. I don’t know why people would do these bad and brutal things to people. That’s my educated guess, goodbye.
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