Looking at relationships with other countries: Spain, Canada, and other European Nations

Dealing with Other Nations

This article is adapted from our classrooom textbook, AMERICA: History of our Nation by Davidson and Stoff (Prentice Hall). 

Key Terms and People for the reading:

-CEDED: to give up

-MIGUEL HIDALGO: a Mexican priest who organized an army of Native Americans in a revolt against Spain

-SIMON BOLIVAR: A leader best known for the struggle for independence from Spain

-JAMES MONROE: President during the Latin American conflicts

-JOHN QUINCY ADAMS: Secretary of State (like Monroe’s right hand man)

-SELF-GOVERNMENT: the right of people to rule themselves independently

By the year 1815, we had a new president (James Monroe) and were beginning to take firm positions in challenging European influences in both North and South America.

Relations with Spain

At the time of the War of 1812, the United States and Haiti were the only parts of the Americas that were not under European control. Spain controlled more territory in the Americas than any other European country, however, Spain’s power greatly weakened over the course of several hundred years.

Spain’s control was especially weak in Florida (not yet a part of the U.S.). Spain was having trouble stopping enslaved African Americans from escaping plantations in both Georgia and Alabama and crossing into Florida. Once they arrived in Florida, many of the escaped slaves joined the Seminole Nation (a group of Native Americans) who often crossed over into the United States to raid different American settlements.

In 1817, the U.S. government sent Andrew Jackson to recapture the African Americans who had escaped slavery. Jackson attacked and destroyed Seminole villages and went far beyond his orders. He seized two very important Spanish towns in Florida and forced the governor of Florida to flee the territory.

By attacking Florida, Jackson showed not only that the U.S. could take over Florida, but also that Spain could not protect it. Because of these two factors, Spain decided to give up the territory in the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819. Spain therefore ceded Florida to the United States.

Spanish Colonies Win Independence

While the U.S. successfully gained control over Florida from Spain, opposition to Spanish rule was growing in Spain’s American colonies. The American Revolution had inspired Latin Americans to want control over their own affairs (Spain had controlled many Latin American territories up to this point). Spain seemed to be unable to control the pressure for change in Latin America as more colonies were starting revolutionary movements.

The picture above shows territories controlled by Spain during the 1800’s prior to the Louisiana Purchase.

One of the most famous examples of Revolution against Spain is Mexico. The struggle for Mexican independence began in 1810 with Father Michael Hidalgo organizing an army of Native Americans that freed several Mexican provinces (territories). In 1811, Hidalgo was captured and executed by troops loyal to Spain.

Another Revolution broke out in Mexico in 1820. Spain was unable to end the fighting this time around, and they agreed to Mexico’s independence in 1821.

Mexico was ruled by an emperor first, but eventually, in 1823, the monarchy was overthrown. A new constitution was written for Mexico (they borrowed many ideas from the U.S. constitution) and eventually, Mexico was made into a republic consisting of nineteen states and four territories.

South and Central America Independence

South America was another region affected by revolutionary changes. One of the most well-known leaders of the struggle for independence from Spain in South America was Simon Bolivar. His nickname, “The Liberator”, refers to his role in leading independence movements in the northern part of South America. In August of 1819, he led an army from Venezuela into Colombia, where he defeated the Spanish and became the president of the territory of Colombia. His territory included other nations such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama (all formerly controlled by Spain).

In the north of Central America, citizens declared their independence from Spain in 1821. Two year later, they formed the United Provinces of Central America which included Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

By 1822, Brazil announced its independence from the nation of Portugal. Eventually by 1825, most parts of Latin America had thrown off European rule.

The Monroe Doctrine

Spain and other European nations were very upset over losing control of Latin American countries. Many European countries such as France and Russia began to declare that they might help Spain try to regain control of its former territories.

 

^^James Monroe is pictured on top, while John Quincy Adams is pictured on the bottom^^

This worried President James Monroe and his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams. The British also grew worried, because both nations wanted to protect trade with Latin American countries. In 1823, Britain suggested that the two countries should issue a joint statement together, announcing their pledge to protect the freedom of the new nations of Latin America. Adams informed Monroe that issuing a joint statement with the British would make the U.S. look like a “junior partner” to other nations… So Monroe issued a statement alone.

James Monroe issued what is called the Monroe Doctrine in December of 1823. The Monroe Doctrine stated that the U.S. would not allow European nations to create American colonies or interfere with the now-free nations of Latin America. The United States would consider any attempt to do so “dangerous to our peace and safety.”

The Monroe Doctrine boosted the influence of the United States in the region and gave fair warning to European nations against reestablishing colonies in Latin America. Gradually, the U.S. was establishing itself as an even greater power and nation.

Relations with Canada

Canada was still a British colony after the American Revolution, and was now divided into two parts. Upper Canada was mainly British, while Lower Canada was mainly French. In the mid-1800’s, there were rebellions against the British in both parts of Canada.

Even though the British succeeded and maintained control after both rebellions, they learned an important lesson: They could no longer deny rights to Canadians. Britain would have to give Canadians more powers of self-government… and the Act of Union of 1841 was a large step in that direction. It joined the two parts of Canada together, and established a joint Canadian government, although Britain still had the ultimate control over the nation.

The relationship between the U.S. and Canada and Canada was still tense… particularly because the U.S. unsuccessfully tried to invade Canada in the War of 1812.

Slowly, the situation between the two improved after the war. Canada and the U.S. eventually established excellent relations with one another because the U.S. and Britain worked hard to settle land disputes after the war. The relationship between the two still remains strong to this day.

Conclusion

The Monroe Doctrine convinced Americans that U.S. southern borders were safe from European expansion. Treaties with Britain lessened the tensions with Canada, and with a new sense of confidence, Americans were on their way to making even more progress in expanding and developing the nation.