What impact did the Monroe Doctrine have on U.S. foreign policy?

The Monroe Doctrine significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy by establishing a clear stance against European colonization and interference in the Americas. Declared in 1823 by President James Monroe, the doctrine asserted that any further attempts by European powers to expand their influence in the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as acts of aggression toward the United States. This effectively discouraged European nations from establishing new colonies or interfering in the affairs of countries in the Americas, thus asserting the U.S. influence and promoting a sense of hemispheric solidarity.

The Monroe Doctrine also laid the groundwork for the United States to approach its neighboring countries with an eye toward dominance, promoting a vision of American exceptionalism. Its long-term implications helped to define the role of the United States as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere, making it a critical aspect of American foreign policy for decades to come.