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The United States' initial postcolonial years helped mold its early support of free trade. America started out the 19th century as an inconsequential player in global politics. America's first foreign policies were those of self-exclusion; the Monroe Doctrine outlined a position of mutual nonintervention in the America's by Europe and the US,5 while George Washington's farewell address succinctly summarized the rationale behind American isolationism6. The United States quickly raised in opposition to mercantilist and strong armed trade tactics of European powers – most dramatically during the War of 1812. The US's initial struggle to pursue favorably teams of trade with the outside world left the US with a tendency to take the side of postcolonial nations in disputes with colonial powers. This position was likely formed from the same frustrations the thirteen colonies faced regarding British maritime law. As the US continued to grow, it started to use its newfound strength to influence trade.
At the turn of the 20th century, the United States begins making motions to eschew European powers from the hemisphere. With its rise to regional power, the US starts making its first counteractions to European influence in the Americas. The US takes up a mantle, appointing itself big brother to weaker American allies. In the case of Great Britain's claim on Venezuelan land bordering British Guiana, America steps in to compel the British to respect the Monroe Doctrine. Richard Olney makes the case that Britain's aim is to force Venezuela "under virtual Duress" and bully the nation into unfair arbitration – "amounting to an invasion and conquest of Venezuelan Territory".7 Here the United States makes one of its first push backs against imperial Europe. Soon the United States starts to make its own imperial moves. Initially these moves are necessary to protect the US's interests with the sea power described by Alfred Mahan, later they will become the stepping stones for the US's path to nation building.