Some of the most important achievements of James Monroe's presidency were accomplished in the area of ​​international affairs and foreign policy. An important proclamation called "The Principles of 1823" when first addressed had a lasting effect on American foreign policy. This was simply a statement, as it brought no land to the United States, but rather angered the European colonizers. Yet a simple declaration would never possess the immense political power necessary to remove the obstacles preventing the United States from continuing its dominance and to establish the belief that “the Americas are for Americans” (Hart, 101). The Monroe Doctrine, as President Polk coined the term a few decades later, was certainly a legitimate response to the international pressures of the time. First, the Monroe Doctrine further clarified the United States' position and provided a more legitimate response when the problem arose over the colonies in North America. Since 1821, President Monroe had closely followed the movements of Russia and Great Britain along the American Pacific and found the United States in the situation where it was both the territorial and commercial competitor of the other two nations ( Hart, 99). It would be fair to say that this alarming situation was one of the main reasons why President Monroe concluded that a principle or policy of non-interference and “hands-off” should be implemented. Clearly, the United States took an even more aggressive approach to Russian colonies in the West, as the American government excepted respect and recognition of the British colonies in Canada (Hart, 100). An agreement between the United States and Russia... middle of paper ......trigon provided an appropriate and legitimate response to international pressures and, more importantly, it used the situation to maximum advantage. UNITED STATES. The Doctrine's mutual non-interference clause was more than easy to follow, since the South American rebels left few colonies in European hands anyway. The United States was given ample room to implement its plans to annex Texas or even Cuba, both freed from any ties to Europe. Not to mention, the Monroe Doctrine also contributed to efforts to eliminate competitors from the Wild West. Going even further to demonstrate its maturity and growing power on the international stage, the United States declared this announcement free of any alliance with Great Britain. Based on the above arguments, it would be fair to say that the Monroe Doctrine was the most important diplomatic document of the Ante-bellum era..