What was the main purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?

The main purpose of the Monroe Doctrine was to protect against European colonization in the Americas. Issued in 1823 by President James Monroe, this doctrine asserted that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European colonization and that any attempt by a European power to interfere in the affairs of nations in the Americas would be viewed as a direct threat to the United States. This policy aimed to safeguard newly independent countries in Latin America and to maintain the political independence of these nations from European influence, effectively establishing a principle of American intervention and a clear divide between the Western Hemisphere and European interests. By doing so, the Monroe Doctrine laid the groundwork for the United States to assert itself as a leading power in the Americas and marked the beginning of a more isolationist foreign policy regarding European affairs.