FREEDOM SHRINE

On December 2nd, 1823, the 5th president of the United States, James Monroe, delivered his annual speech to congress. Within this speech was the United States policy that opposed European Colonialism. This indicated that any American continents were not to be future subjects to European colonization or puppet monarchs. "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." It was a great concern that America could not enforce the doctrine with such a weak military. Nevertheless, the doctrine became a significant aspect of American foreign policy. It played an influential role in Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's foreign policies and became a justification for manifest destiny.