| − | A declaration made by President Monroe claiming that the Western Hemisphere was "off limits" to European powers by saying that no new colonies could be established in the Americas and that the United States would "police" the two continents. | + | A declaration made by President [[James Monroe]] to Congress on December 2, 1823, claiming that the Western Hemisphere was "off limits" to European powers by saying that no new colonies could be established in the Americas and that the United States would "police" the two continents. |