In the early 1800s, the United States was the sole independent state in the Americas (other than Brazil in 1822). The United States government, under president James Monroe, believed that it was the States' best intentions to stop or at least lessen European influence in the Americas, specifically South America, which had faced nationalist revolts. In 1823, the Monroe Doctrine was signed, and in the next few months, the United States declared war on the Kingdom of Spain, and helped spark the Spanish American Independence Wars. The war resulted in the independence of all Spanish states in South America. The peace treaty helped create four united republics, and the United States helped maintaining order and unity, avoiding rebellions such as the Colombian Crisis. The Doctrine also motive for