What is characteristic of the Monroe Doctrine?

encouraged European intervention in the Western Hemisphere

main cause of the Spanish-American War

forbade European intervention in the Western Hemisphere

The correct statement is "forbade European intervention in the Western Hemisphere."

The Monroe Doctrine was aimed at separating the world into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In this case, the US did not want any European influence in the Western part of the world, especially in the Latin American countries. The US argued that these countries, such as Brazil, Chile, and Bolivia, were under the "sphere of influence" from the US.

Even though the US did not want European countries to interfere with countries in this hemisphere, they had no intention of taking over any colonies established before this doctrine. This meant that the Europeans who already controlled areas in the Western Hemisphere did not have to worry about a US invasion of any sort.