Question

explain why president monroe and secretary of state john quincy adams pursued a more aggressive foreign policy​

Answer 1

Answer:

The idea of the exclusive status and dominant role of the United States in the Western Hemisphere arose long before Monroe addressed Congress. Its premises can be found in George Washington's Farewell Letter and in Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address, warning against close political association with the European powers.

By 1822, in Latin America, only Bolivia remained under Spanish colonial rule. All other countries have proclaimed their independence. Also, several islands in the Caribbean, such as Cuba and Puerto Rico, were under Spanish control. At the Verona Congress in late 1822, European powers supported the Holy Alliance’s plans to restore Spanish rule over the Latin American colonies.  

Such a development of events definitely did not suit Britain, fearing for its dominant position in Latin American markets. British Foreign Secretary George Cunning invited the United States to adopt a joint declaration on coordination of efforts to counter the future colonization of Latin America. Monroe initially reacted positively to the British proposal; he was also supported by former presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. However, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams insisted on the advisability of making a unilateral statement, and his opinion ultimately prevailed.

In general, in international affairs, Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams advocated a policy of reconciliation with Britain and an expansion policy against the Spanish Empire. Under 1819 Adams-Onis Treaty with Spain, the United States obtained Florida and established its western border with New Spain. In 1823, Monroe declared that the United States would not accept any European intervention in the countries of North and South America which recently gained independence through the Monroe Doctrine, that became a milestone in American foreign policy.

Explanation: