Bolivarian Diplomacy Vs. The Monroe Doctrine
This continent has been struggled over for more than 200 years. Even before Monroe’s famous speech, the idea existed that the US had some sort of right to the whole continent. The thirteen colonies achieved independence first, creating a republican system that was considered an improvement over the absolutist monarchies of Europe. For that reason, they felt destined to expand their system. From the beginning, they viewed the south of the continent as their home turf. They felt it was their “destiny” to control all the territories.
However, the perspective of the incipient US republic – conceived by and for white land-owning men – starkly contrasted with the Bolivarian one.