There is no better known or often quoted American foreign policy than The Monroe Doctrine, an idea that reached almost sacred status during its long tenure in American thought. Newtown Historical Society, in conjunction with C.H. Booth Library, will revisit the history of the doctrine in a program, "Evolution of the Monroe Doctrine," on Monday, March 13, at 7:30 pm.newtownhistory.org.

Joseph Secola will present the program, in the community room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

President James Monroe and his Secretary of State John Quincy Adams were concerned new alliances in Europe might threaten the newly independent countries of Latin America, and when Russia threatened to cut off trade with northwestern North America it became time to act.

In spite of the fact that the United States was still a fledgling on the world stage, with neither a standing army nor navy to enforce its wishes, Adams authored a document in 1825 forbidding further European involvement in the New World, calling it "dangerous to our peace and safety," showing an "unfriendly disposition toward the United States."

In return, it was promised that the young country would not intervene in already established colonies. While the Continental European countries scoffed at the effrontery, it suited the aims of Great Britain, which had actually suggested a joint statement along the same lines. British manufacturing interests needed unrestricted access to Latin American trade, and it was the British navy that largely enforced the Doctrine for much of its early life.

Interpretations of the Doctrine have varied over the nearly two centuries of the policy, and varied as well across geography. Latin America countries generally welcomed any help in maintaining independence, but worried it was simply an attempt by the United States to establish its own control in the hemisphere. Furthermore, the world knew that without British might there would be no enforcement, and who would there be to stop British interference.

Certainly, both fears would come to be realized, the United States interfering most famously in the Cuban fight for independence, eliminating Spain as a colonial power and attaching several territories; Britain, claiming the Falkland islands as a crown colony in 1841 without interference, and fought a war in 1982 to maintain its sovereignty over the islands.

Joseph Secola is a retired judge of probate, a practicing attorney, and a past president of The Greater Danbury Bar Association. He has a longstanding interest in legal history, and has spoken to area groups on the subject many times, including a presentation for Newtown Historical Society on the Dred Scott Decision.

All Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following Mr Secola's presentation.

For further information call 203-426-5937 or visit

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