Doutrina Monroe e a política do Big Stick na América Latina

Summary

This video explores the Monroe Doctrine and its evolution in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Latin America. Announced in 1823, the doctrine initially aimed to prevent European recolonization of the Americas while maintaining U.S. isolationism. Over time, it transformed into a justification for U.S. intervention in Latin American affairs, with the addition of the Roosevelt Corollary in 1904, which emphasized military intervention. The video also highlights the contradictions and shifts in U.S. policy, especially during the Cold War and the 21st century, where the Monroe Doctrine continued to influence U.S. actions in the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Monroe Doctrine, declared by U.S. President James Monroe in 1823, warned European powers against colonizing or intervening in the Americas.
• 😀 Initially, the Monroe Doctrine was a symbolic declaration, with limited military power to back it up, as the U.S. was still a young nation in the early 19th century.
• 😀 The Monroe Doctrine was also a response to the fear of European intervention in the newly independent Latin American countries, which could threaten their sovereignty.
• 😀 The doctrine evolved in the late 19th century as the U.S. gained more influence and military power, shifting from passive to active intervention in Latin America.
• 😀 Theodore Roosevelt’s 1904 Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, also known as the 'Big Stick' policy, justified U.S. intervention to protect its interests in the Western Hemisphere.
• 😀 Roosevelt’s Big Stick policy emphasized that the U.S. could intervene in Latin American countries facing instability, to maintain peace and protect American interests, especially regarding the Panama Canal.
• 😀 In the early 1900s, the U.S. began to actively enforce the Monroe Doctrine by intervening in situations like the Venezuelan border dispute and acquiring the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1916.
• 😀 The U.S. contradicted its Monroe Doctrine principles when it took control of territories like Cuba and Puerto Rico after defeating Spain in the 1898 Spanish-American War, expanding its influence in the Caribbean.
• 😀 Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy in the 1930s rejected military intervention and focused on improving diplomatic and economic relations with Latin America.
• 😀 The Monroe Doctrine and its later versions continued to shape U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, often justifying military actions, coups, and sanctions under the guise of protecting the region from European influence.

Q & A

What was the Monroe Doctrine and why was it significant?

The Monroe Doctrine, announced in December 1823 by U.S. President James Monroe, was a key foreign policy declaration stating that the Americas were no longer open to European colonization and that the United States would not interfere in European affairs. Its significance lies in the establishment of the U.S. as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere, asserting its influence and protecting newly independent Latin American countries from European intervention.

What motivated the U.S. to adopt the Monroe Doctrine?

The U.S. was motivated by the fear of European powers, especially Spain, trying to reassert control over their former colonies in the Americas after many Latin American countries had gained independence. The doctrine was also influenced by the U.S.'s desire for isolating itself from European conflicts and maintaining focus on its own national consolidation.

How did European powers react to the Monroe Doctrine in 1823?

At the time, European powers, particularly Spain, were not significantly impacted by the Monroe Doctrine, as the U.S. lacked the military strength to enforce it. The initial response was relatively indifferent, but the U.K. later showed support by enforcing the doctrine to prevent European intervention in the Americas, largely to protect its own economic interests.

What role did the United Kingdom play in the Monroe Doctrine's enforcement?

The United Kingdom played a crucial role in enforcing the Monroe Doctrine by using its powerful navy to prevent European powers from intervening in the Americas. The British interests aligned with the doctrine's goal of keeping the Western Hemisphere free from European intervention, which also helped maintain British trade and economic relations with Latin America.

What change occurred in the Monroe Doctrine's application by the 1860s?

In the 1860s, during the U.S. Civil War, the Monroe Doctrine transitioned from a symbolic declaration to an active policy, with the U.S. directly intervening to prevent European influence in the Americas. For example, the U.S. rejected French intervention in Mexico during the French invasion of 1862, marking the beginning of more assertive U.S. actions under the doctrine.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine?

The Roosevelt Corollary, added in 1904 by President Theodore Roosevelt, extended the Monroe Doctrine by asserting that the U.S. had the right to intervene in Latin America to maintain stability and prevent European powers from intervening. It was often summarized by the phrase 'Big Stick' diplomacy, meaning the U.S. would use military power to back up its policies in the Western Hemisphere.

How did the Roosevelt Corollary redefine U.S. involvement in Latin America?

The Roosevelt Corollary redefined U.S. involvement in Latin America by transitioning from a policy of non-interference to one of active intervention. It justified U.S. military interventions in the region to protect American interests, particularly in the Caribbean and Central America, and prevent European nations from asserting influence.

What criticisms did the Roosevelt Corollary face?

The Roosevelt Corollary faced criticism from those who believed it betrayed the original isolationist spirit of the Monroe Doctrine. Critics argued that it represented an imperialist shift in U.S. foreign policy and led to the exploitation and suppression of Latin American countries, undermining their sovereignty.

How did the Good Neighbor Policy under Franklin D. Roosevelt differ from the Roosevelt Corollary?

The Good Neighbor Policy, introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s, rejected the military interventionism of the Roosevelt Corollary and emphasized diplomatic and economic cooperation with Latin American countries. It aimed to improve relations with Latin America by promoting mutual respect and non-intervention, in contrast to the Big Stick approach.

How did the U.S. continue to use the Monroe Doctrine in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, the U.S. continued to invoke the Monroe Doctrine to justify actions in Latin America, including supporting military coups, enforcing economic sanctions, and maintaining a dominant influence over the region. The doctrine was used to legitimize interventions in countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, aligning with U.S. geopolitical interests.