LAD 10

The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy statement that declared the western hemisphere was off limits for European colonization. The doctrine was created by James Monroe December 2nd 1823. The doctrine stated that any European country that tried to colonize land in the western hemisphere would be seen as commiting a hostile act toward America. The main goal of this was to stop European powers from trying to get Spain to regain territory they had in the western hemisphere. The doctrine was tested in 1865 when the French were found in Mexico, a mass of American troops were placed on the Rio Grande River to enforce the doctrine. In 1904 President Roosevelt expanded on the doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary which stated that if there was "wrongdoing" by and Latin American state America had the right to intervine in its foreign affairs, this then became known as the Spheres of Influence.

LAD#8 Columbus Blog

Was Christopher Columbus a hero or villain? It is clear that through his cruel and merciless behavior Christopher Columbus was a villain. Despite whether or not Columbus made the discovery of America for Europe it was not on purpose. He was actually looking for water route to Asia for spices and other goods that were profitable and rare for Europe. Even if he had discovered America on purpose he still would not be a hero for the atrocities he committed to the natives of that land. Hero's do not kill and exploit others for their own benefit. Columbus killed, exploited, and enslaved thousands of native Americans who had treated him with such care. Those are the opposite acts of a hero, making Columbus a villain. Although the atrocities committed by Christopher Columbus can certainly not be forgotten they are heavily overshadowed by his discovery. Without the discovery of America at that time the world as we know it would be very, very different.