Austria and other continental powers could condemn Monroe's language, but Britain had the maritime strength to enable or prevent expeditions across the Atlantic. Britain could therefore accept a warning against renewed European colonial expansion. In this interpretation, Monroe's promise that the United States would avoid European wars also reassured London after the War of 1812. These overlapping interests help explain British acceptance of a policy the United States lacked the forces to enforce alone.
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British interests aligned with Monroe's warning
Britain could accept a warning that discouraged renewed European colonial expansion and promised American restraint toward European wars.