Channels, Spring 2019

Page 38 Wilt • The President, Foreign Policy authorized President Jefferson the allocated war powers he needed to ensure that the United States was able to accomplish its objectives in the Mediterranean Sea. In the end, “Tripoli signed a treaty favorable to the U.S. that ended hostilities with the Barbary States,” 28 which led to the resolution and conclusion of the war, which was as the first major war campaign outside the United States. Overall, the Tripolitanian War “provided impetus for the construction of ships such as the U.S.S. Constitution ,” 29 as well as the building of U.S. naval power, which would become crucial in the years to come. The next president to expand the powers of the executive branch substantially was President James Monroe, who remains inextricably connected to one of the most consequential presidential doctrines in American history: the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine was a bold move, made with the advice and pressing of Secretary of State (and soon to be president) John Quincy Adams. In essence, the Monroe Doctrine: 1) Announced the self-determination of the United States within the Western Hemisphere; 2) Established the United States as the leading power within the Western Hemisphere; 3) Declared a policy of non-intervention by European powers within the Western Hemisphere, specifically opposing the establishment of colonies within the Western Hemisphere; 4) Pursued a neutral policy with respect to European powers and initiated a decree to not become involved in the European theater of political struggles; 5) And, threatened retaliation for the infringement of these polices. 30 President Monroe’s Annual Address solidified the executive’s central role in the area of foreign policy and consolidated the focus and attention on international matters to the office of the presidency. Furthermore, it took President George Washington’s declaration of neutrality and expanded it to include the entirety of the European theater, banning European powers from interfering – not just with the United States’ business – but also with the entire Western Hemisphere. Moreover, Congress’ inaction to either refute or support the Monroe Doctrine supports the view that Congress acquiesced to the president the determination to pursue this policy. Monroe clearly delineated his position in his Annual Address: “Our policy in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers.” 31 However, Monroe expanded America’s leadership role in the Western Hemisphere: We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers [Europe] to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety…But with the South American Governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any 28 Ibid. 29 Ibid. 30 Library of Congress. “A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 – 1875.” Annals of Congress, Senate, 18 th Congress, 1 st Session. 31 Monroe, James. “Monroe Doctrine.” Evolving Presidency , edited by Michael Nelson, Los Angeles: Sage Books, 2016. Pages 68-72.