The Monroe Doctrine, articulated in 1823 by President James Monroe, aimed to establish a clear policy regarding European interference in the Western Hemisphere. The central tenet proclaimed that any European attempt to colonize or interfere with nations in the Americas would be considered an act of aggression, prompting U.S. intervention. The doctrine was rooted in the desire to protect newly independent Latin American nations from European colonial ambitions and to assert U.S. influence in the region. Ultimately, it served as a cornerstone of American foreign policy, asserting U.S. interests and discouraging European powers from entangling themselves in the affairs of the Americas.