The Monroe Doctrine: Empire and Nation in Nineteenth-Century America

by Jay Sexton

A Concise History of the (In)Famous Doctrine that Gave Rise to the American Empire President James Monroe's 1823 message to Congress declaring opposition to European colonization in the Western Hemisphere became the cornerstone of nineteenth-century American statecraft. Monroe's message proclaimed anticolonial principles, yet it rapidly became the myth and means for subsequent generations of politicians to pursue expansionist foreign policies. Time and again, debates on the key issues of nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century foreign relations―expansion in the 1840s, Civil War diplomacy, the imperialism of 1898, entrance into World War I, and the establishment of the League of Nations―were framed in relation to the Monroe Doctrine. Covering more than a century of history, this engaging book explores the varying conceptions of the doctrine as its meaning evolved in relation to the needs of an expanding American empire. In Jay Sexton's adroit hands, the Monroe Doctrine provides a new lens from which to view the paradox at the center of American diplomatic the nation's interdependent traditions of anticolonialism and imperialism.

Genres: History, Politics, American History, Nonfiction, Latin American History, The United States Of America, International Relations

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2011

Reviews

[Stefania Dzhanamova · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1823 President James Monroe convened his cabinet to discuss how to respond to a perceived national security crisis. The discussions of the cabinet led to Monroe’s message to Congress (December 2), the basis of which later became the Monroe Doctrine. In it the President declared that “the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for colonization by any European powers”.

In his book Jay Sexton examines the paradoxical nature of this seemingly straightforward message. Although the declaration was a part of the administration’s diplomatic policy, Monroe addressed his fellow citizens, not foreign governments; in addition, the Doctrine simply placed constraints on the European powers, without suggesting any particular course of action the United States could take.

“The Monroe Doctrine: Empire and Nation in the 19th Century America” examines the political flexibility of what was known as the Monroe Doctrine in the 19th century. The author argues that there are as many Monroe Doctrines as perspectives on foreign policies, and that the creation of the Doctrine was rather a process which lasted throughout the whole century than a single event in 1823.
Where the message seemed restrictive to the new generations, Americans attached multiple corollaries to adapt it to the changing dynamics of the union.

Jay Sexton asserts that – contrary to what is believed by many – there was nothing predestined in Monroe’s message about the rise of the United States. His book effectively uses the Monroe Doctrine to throughly examine the continuous, complex processes of anti-colonial liberation, national consolidation, and imperial expansion, which transformed the USA into the dominant global power of the 20th century.
With its eloquent style and engaging narrative, Sexton’s work is a very informative and enjoyable read. Five stars.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'd never guess it from the title, but this book is a concise history of U.S.-Latin American relations in the 19th century. (Sneaky!) Sexton frames these relationships through the changing views of the Monroe Doctrine, told mostly through the view of American presidents, secretaries of state, and congressmen. Recommended for an overview of how the governing elites saw U.S. presence in the Western Hemisphere.

[Steven Betge · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my wife got this for me, I didn't know how much I was going to appreciate it. It turned out to be the desired next chapter in an ongoing story. Let me explain:

First, I read about the Revolutionary War. Then, I read about the Civil War. I enjoyed learning about both, but I didn't know what to read next that would continue the story of American history. Then she surprised me with this; The Monroe Doctrine....? I never heard of it.

At first, I thought it was going to be a whole book about an isolated incident or period. Little did I know it would carry me from the 1820s all the way into the 1910s. Or that it would add insight into the U.S. immediately following the Rev. War and paint a vivid picture of the World Powers in motion around that newly formed nation.

I don't think everyone will appreciate this book as much as I did. But i hope you will.

[Samuel Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was interesting in the fact that Sexton does not just show how the Monroe Doctrine was interpreted by different administrations in the 19th Century, but how it impacted policy decisions, even when the doctrine was not cited.

[Martin Whatwouldthefoundersthink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay Sexton’s new book on American expansionism and diplomacy in the 19th Century makes for an interesting study. In a time when most Americans know very little of the history of this interesting piece of political parlance, his book is enlightening and packed with research.

It is a look at a piece of political dogma that far outlived its creators and continued to have an effect on American diplomacy well into the 20th century. Sexton traces its origin in one of Monroe’s “State of the Union” addresses before Congress, and explains its grandiose rhetoric and more practical applications. The Monroe Doctrine is not a topic that many Americans know much about today. A vague notion of one of its many interpretations is all that is taught in schools. This reader was sadly ignorant of its applications and history – until this book came along.

Read the rest of the review at What Would The Founders Think?>

[Gary Schantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book as part of my reading American history in chronological order so I only read the first 85 pages of the book.

I was mainly interested in reason the Monroe Doctrine was created and I got my answer. The rest of the book details how the Monroe Doctrine was applied over the course of the next 100 years

Since I haven't read that far into history yet, I may return to it later on.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing the 19th and early 20th century history of the United States and their relationship to other countries in the Americas and beyond in reference to the Monroe Doctrine and its various interpretations by different politicians. The world perspective of the United States in 1823 was quite different than it was in the following decades.

[Miles Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the Monroe Doctrine. Sexton rightly reminds the reader that the Monroe Doctrine was contested from the time of its promulgation to the present. He is careful in his treatments and limiting the chronology of the work to the century after the doctrine's inception.

[Barry Estell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly readable yet academic explanation of the Monroe Doctrine which is nothing like what you learned in high school.

[Julian Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short history of the uses and abuses of the Monroe Doctrine, and the wide variety of purposes it’s been used for

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

from http://weeksnotice.blogspot.com/2014/...

Jay Sexton's The Monroe Doctrine: Empire and Nation in Nineteenth Century America (2011) is a good synthesis of the history of the most famous doctrine in U.S.-Latin American relations. It's not exactly new, though I can't think how you would manage to say something genuinely new about it (I wonder, have any hitherto unknown archives yielded any new insights in years?). It's more about what angle to take.

One thing he does that I found interesting was to discuss how policy makers in the U.S. changed their views of the doctrine over time. The nineteenth century version was different from the twentieth because of shifting circumstances. At the time of its formulation, there was fear not only of geopolitical threat but also of the country breaking apart. By Roosevelt's time imperialism was in full force and the United States was well past the civil war.

He emphasizes the contradictory nature of the doctrine, since it was both anti-colonial and fundamentally imperialist. This didn't bother anyone in the United States, because based on our exceptionalism our tutelage was a positive force while the Old World offered outdated and unwanted models.

Reading the book might help understand why it's hard to believe John Kerry when in November 2013 he said the Monroe Doctrine was over.

I'll be including it as a recommended reading for the historical chapter of my U.S.-Latin America textbook.

[Agathe Errabunda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is an interesting outlook on US foreign policy, especially in regard to South America. However the author tends to repeat himself which makes the writing a bit redundant. 3.5 stars.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's rare that I don't finish a book. I reached somewhere around page 180 and just closed it. I'm surprised I got so far. Sexton is very repetitive and parts of the book read like a quick high school textbook account of history.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was slow and I felt like it was saying the same thing over and over, but the last half was a lot more interesting. Reading a British perspective of the Monroe Doctrine was interesting and made me look at American politics differently.

[Blake Maddux · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. A damn-near great book.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discusses the Monroe doctorine, read it if your interested in the subject

[Ed Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, up-to-date introduction to the Monroe Doctrine's history and geopolitical role.

[Jason S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed, yet readable account of the transformation of the Monroe Doctrine from a statement of anti-colonialism into the instrument of American imperialism.

[Igor]

The more the United States acted like the imperial powers of the Old World, the more Americans spoke of anticolonialism and opposition to monarchy.