The Evolution of the Monroe Doctrine On December 22, 1823, in a memorable session of Congress, James Monroe read an important message that would become renowned in the years to come. This speech that he presented has often been misunderstood as a law, official government document, or a proclamation, but in fact, it was simply a speech! In this speech Monroe’s thoughts have taken on the power and the grandeur of law itself for one reason: “…they reflected at the time, and down through history since that time, to the present day, what was in the hearts of the American people” (Rink 16). It declare