Monroe doctrine

Cipriano Castro, President of Venezuela, hides behind a large rock, hoping that the large claw-type animal trap labeled “Monroe Doctrine” he set will prove effective in preventing the British Lion, a cat labeled “Italy” with the face of Victor Emmanuel III, King of Italy, and a boar labeled “Germany” with the face of William II, Emperor of Germany, from coming ashore to demand payment of international debts.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The immediate context of this cartoon is the blockade of Venezuelan ports announced by the principal creditor nations England, Germany, and Italy. President Cipriano Castro arrogantly ignored debts owed by the Caracas government and Venezuelan banks and companies; in February 1902 those powers declared a blockade as a first step to extract debt payments. An international arbitration court at the Hague was suggested by President Roosevelt as a venue to find a solution, but it decreed that as principal creditors, those three powers had a preferential claim. However other nations, including the United States, were also owed money. As the cartoon shows, the European states might have hesitated because of the Monroe Doctrine, but Roosevelt made that a moot point one year after this cartoon by establishing the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: that in instances like this, the United States would act both as protector against foreign presence in the Western Hemisphere, and a manager to mediate, collect debts, etc., in disputes.

A young boy labeled “Venezuela” complains to Uncle Sam about the presence of a German battleship. Uncle Sam explains to him that the Monroe Doctrine will protect him from violence, but that he still must pay his “honest debts.” Caption: Venezuela — Better mind your Monroe Doctrine! That German is making trouble. / Uncle Sam — The Monroe Doctrine will keep you from being kidnapped, Sonny; but it won’t help you get out of your honest debts.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Keppler’s cartoon is a textbook illustration of the factors leading to President Roosevelt’s formulation of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. Several countries in the Western Hemisphere incurred the ire of European nations due mainly to infractions of normal trade and commerce practices. These frictions also threatened to stoke colonial ambitions. No country was more troublesome than Venezuela, which defaulted on debts with nations and individuals in Germany, England, and Italy. This cartoon appeared the first week of 1902, but things came to a head a year later, in early 1903, when the three nations in concert threatened a blockade of Venezuelan ports and extracting debt payments. Roosevelt’s Corollary was, a year in advance, perfectly summed up by Uncle Sam in this cartoon. 

Uncle Sam, as a large rooster, stands among several small free-ranging chicks labeled “Argentine Republic, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Salvador, Peru, [and] Hayti [sic].” Confined to a “European Coop” labeled “Monroe Doctrine” are five roosters labeled “Russia, England, France, Germany, [and] Italy.” Caption: Europe — You’re not the only rooster in South America! Uncle Sam — I was aware of that when I cooped you up!

comments and context

Comments and Context

The ancient Monroe Doctrine was articulated in 1823, in President James Monroe’s Annual Message. Actually formulated and written by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, it warned world powers to cease imperialist meddling in the Western hemisphere, while promising no interference from the United States in existing European colonies. President Roosevelt, in his own Annual Message of 1904, added teeth in what came to be called the “Roosevelt Corollary To the Monroe Doctrine.” Fresh on the heels of Great Britain and Germany attempting to collect debts from Venezuela by military threats, Roosevelt asserted that when necessary, the United States would act as a stern middleman, for instance, forcing South American countries to live up to international obligations, but it would not allow foreign powers to seek colonial advantages in such disputes.

Uncle Sam chops wood with various Roosevelt quotes regarding the Monroe Doctrine with a saw labeled after the same doctrine. Two men representing world powers get too close to the blade. Caption: Uncle Sam:–“Look out, boys; the doctrine’s not on a dead center, by any means”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-03

President Roosevelt smiles as England and Germany look at a saw labeled Monroe Doctrine. Hanging above the saw is a sign, “Don’t Monkey with the Buzz-Saw.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-1903

President Roosevelt is shown painting on a fence the words “The Monroe Doctrine Must Be Recognized,” as European leaders look over their own fence ahead of ships sailing with various European flags in their rigging.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-09-28

President Roosevelt met with Hermann Speck von Sternburg, evidently inspired by Berlin, who suggested that the United States join the European Great Powers in forming a “syndicate” to take possession of Venezuela’s finances. Sternburg thinks that such action would settle the situation in Venezuela and prevent future punitive expeditions by European nations to collect debts. Roosevelt did not provide a definitive answer but expressed his opinion that the American people would oppose such a proposal and consider it a violation of the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-13

President Roosevelt begins his letter to Cecil Spring Rice discussing the presidential election and how Alton B. Parker and the Democratic Party chose to campaign. Roosevelt mentions his plans to send Ambassador to Italy George von Lengerke Meyer to St. Petersburg, and spends the rest of the letter discussing Japan and Russia. The Japanese government treats Americans well, while Russia has treated the United States, England, and Japan poorly. However, Roosevelt believes the Japanese Army groups all white men together and considers such men inferior to themselves, as evidenced by the experience of American military attachés in Japan. The president opines that Russia is the main enemy of Japan, as long as it focuses on China, Korea, and Manchuria. However, if Japan desires to become a maritime power, it could threaten the United States, England, and the Netherlands. Roosevelt concludes his letter by saying, “[W]e must trust in the Lord and keep our powder dry and our eyes open.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-12-27

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet, as he does not know the banquet’s stance regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-02

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet. He does not know what the banquet’s stance is regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-05

Theodore Roosevelt apologizes to Millard J. Bloomer for not allowing the use of his name for the Citizens Peace Banquet. He does not know what the banquet’s stance is regarding the arbitration treaties. Roosevelt discusses his opinions on these treaties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-05

Frederic J. Paxon asks Theodore Roosevelt for his views on John E. White’s statements regarding arbitration and the interpretation of Roosevelt’s position on international treaties.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-14

Theodore Roosevelt writes to Samuel V. Leech that he is interested in what Leech wrote about the Monroe Doctrine and the situation on the Pacific Coast regarding immigration by Japanese and Chinese. Two copies, each slightly different.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-10

In a reply to Arthur Hamilton Lee, Theodore Roosevelt describes the activities and achievements of the Roosevelt family, including the impending birth of his grandchild to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and Eleanor Butler Roosevelt. Roosevelt expresses relief at the end of his public speaking career and is more preoccupied by his interest in natural history than in politics, including his upcoming article, “Revealing and Concealing Coloration in Birds and Mammals.” Roosevelt then goes on to discuss politics, including his approval of the current British king, expresses frustration with the American people, and discusses President Taft.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-27

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with James H. Pound that political and legal arguments should be kept to one or two key issues. As federalists, Roosevelt and Pound believe in “national efficiency” unlike Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt believes in the extension of the Monroe Doctrine and agrees with what Pound said about the Money Bill, even though he is not well versed on the topic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-16

Theodore Roosevelt replies to Herbert Drake’s letter to say that he has read Coit’s book. If Drake would like to know what Roosevelt thinks about the Monroe Doctrine, Drake should go to the public library and read his presidential speeches on the topic.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-02-25

Theodore Roosevelt heartily approves of Santiago Pérez Triana’s statements on the Monroe Doctrine but cannot say so publicly, even though Roosevelt has said similar things in the past.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-01-21

Theodore Roosevelt believes that Kuno Meyer’s language may be a “malicious distortion” of the truth and Roosevelt wrote him to correct him. Roosevelt believes that if Germany defeats Great Britain, they will come for the United States next.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-17

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Hugh F. Denworth for his letter and advises him to check the library for books regarding the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-22

Theodore Roosevelt met with William Cary Sanger on Sunday and Sanger was interested in Archie Roosevelt’s proposals. He suggests that Sanger is the person that Archie should work with. Roosevelt read an article by Sanger’s son and agrees with much of it. However, he disagrees with guaranteeing the independence of the Philippines and that Central and South American countries should become guarantors of the Monroe doctrine. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt attempted to develop a path through Smith’s Field. He warns Archie against damaging his prospects by appearing uncouth and wearing soiled clothing.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-02