dec 2, 1823 - Seventh Annual Message to Congress articulates the “Monroe Doctrine.” States that the United States would recognize existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere, close the Western Hemisphere to future colonization, would not interfere in the internal affairs of or wars between European powers, and would interpret any attempt by a European power to control any nation in the Western Hemisphere as a hostile act against the United States. The Monroe Doctrine was met with a positive reception in Congress