THE EXPANSION OF EUROPE 397

41 No nobler figure ever stood in the forefront of a nation's

life, ..... * first in war, first in peace, and first in the

hearts of his fellow countrymen'."

The victory of the U. S. A. had also important reper-
cussions in South America. Napoleon Bonaparte had over-
thrown the Bourbon ruler of Spain and seated his own
brother Joseph on that throne, but the Spanish colonists
in South America refused to acknowledge the usurper. Under
the leadership of Simon Bolivar, Venezuela, Colombia,
Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, etc. asserted their independence even
when the old dynasty was restored in the mother country
(under Ferdinand VII). Mexico too became independent
in 1821, but fell a prey to continued disorder. The Portu-
guese colonists of Brazil likewise set up an independent State
in 1822, with Don Pedro as their King. The further history
of Latin America is too complicated to be dealt with here
But two facts may be noted : (1) All the colonies set
up republican governments before the close of the century;
(2) the U. S. A. proclaimed the famous " Monroe doctrine"
when the European Powers tried to meddle in their affairs.
It laid down :

' In the wars of the European Powers, in matters relating to
themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it com-
port with1 our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are
invaded or seriously menaced that,we resent injuries or make
preparations for our defence. With the existing colonies or de-
pendencies of any European Power we have not interfered and
shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have declared
their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we
have on great consideration and on just principles acknowledged,
we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
them or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any
European Power in any other light than as the manifestation
of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States. The
-occasion has .teen judged proper for asserting as -a principle