America for the Americans
So at last, the Spanish-American Republics were recognized. Their Freedom was practically won.
But the Kings of Continental Europe felt their thrones tottering and their crowns loosened.
After the wars of Napoleon, the whole of Europe was in political ferment. So it always happens after long wars.
The Peoples of Continental Europe, who for generations had been down-trodden by Kings and Emperors, had learned from the United States and France, of such things as Liberty, Constitutions, and the right of Peoples to a voice in their own government. Everywhere the Peoples of Europe were preparing to demand constitutional governments. Then, too, a wave of infidelity was sweeping through the world, the result of the terrible French Revolution.
Then, in 1815, the three Kings of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, formed a league called the Holy Alliance.
Its original purpose was lofty. It was at first, a very pious affair.
The Holy Allies agreed to take under their Christian protection the Kingdoms of Europe, and to govern their three Peoples as one People by the dictates of the Holy Religion of Christ. They pledged themselves to bring about a reign of charity, justice, and peace for Europe. The Holy Allies claimed to be divinely appointed to do all this. Spain, France, Naples, and Sardinia joined them. England did not become a member for though she has a monarch, she has a Constitutional Government.
It was not long before this Holy Alliance became a hotbed of European intrigue, and developed into a subtle political league to destroy the awakening liberties of the World.
The Holy Allies conspired to put down all democratic principles, and stamp out all representative government from Europe. They also conspired to prevent the formation of any new Republics in other parts of the World, and to chain the liberty of the Press, which is the Voice of the People. Thus these Holy Allies joined forces to uphold the divine right of Kings and the tyranny of absolute monarchies.
Their next move was to promise Spain to help destroy the Spanish-American Republics, and thus restore to her her lost Colonies.
This was after we had acknowledged the Independence of those Republics.
The Holy Allies planned to invade America with their Army.
When this news reached the United States, there was a furore. And, when added to this news, it was announced that Russia was laying plans to colonize the Pacific coast of North America, there was great indignation in this country.
It was then, that President Monroe, on December 2, 1823, gave to the World the famous Monroe Doctrine, which is this:—
To the defense of our own [Government], which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure... and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole Nation is devoted.
That the American continents, by the free and independent conditions which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European Powers....
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....
But with the Governments (the Spanish American Republics) who have declared their Independence and maintained it, and whose Independence we have... acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European Power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States....
This is the Monroe Doctrine.
America for the Americans, American Independence, is what it means.