The Monroe Doctrine, declared in 1823, asserted U.S. opposition to European colonization in the Americas. It aimed to protect newly independent Latin American nations and establish U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere. While initially symbolic, it evolved into a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, justifying interventions and shaping relations with Latin America. Its legacy remains complex, viewed by some as a defense of sovereignty and by others as a tool for American imperialism. #MonroeDo