14. Supported the Principle of Self-Governance
Publicly, the U.S. championed Latin American independence and the ideals of self-rule, reflecting Enlightenment values and appealing to shared democratic ideals. The Monroe Doctrine, articulated in President James Monroe’s 1823 message to Congress, warned European powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere, thereby supporting the sovereignty and self-governance of newly independent Latin American nations (archives.gov).
