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His accomplishments were numerous and continue to shape our nation to this day, although he does not always receive the credit he deserves.  Often tests ask about key achievements that happened under Monroe's leadership, but without mentioning his name.

His accomplishments were numerous and continue to shape our nation to this day, although he does not always receive the credit he deserves.  Often tests ask about key achievements that happened under Monroe's leadership, but without mentioning his name.

In 1817, the United States and Britain agreed to limit armaments on the Great Lakes and waterways.  This led to the complete demilitarization of our border with Canada which continues to this day.  This is known as the "Rush-Bagot Treaty," and it saved both sides much money in military costs.  It also enabled trade to flourish between the two countries, and Canada continues to be our largest trading partner comprising nearly $321 billion of goods and services annually, nearly twice the amount of trade we have with China.

In 1817, the United States and Britain agreed to limit armaments on the Great Lakes and waterways.  This led to the complete demilitarization of our border with Canada which continues to this day.  This is known as the "Rush-Bagot Treaty," and it saved both sides much money in military costs.  It also enabled trade to flourish between the two countries, and Canada continues to be our largest trading partner with nearly $321 billion of goods and services exchanged annually, nearly twice the amount of trade we have with China.

In 1819, Monroe completed the Adams-Onis Treaty to annex Florida to the United States, and also added property north of the southern border of current Oregon (which we now call the "Northwest").

In 1819, Monroe completed the Adams-Onis Treaty to annex Florida to the United States, and also added property north of the southern border of current Oregon (which we now call the "Northwest").

So the Missouri Compromise added Maine as a free state (which would side with the North), and Missouri as a slave state (which would side with the South until the Civil War, when it refused to join the southern Confederacy).  Many of the other new states to be added from the Louisiana Purchase (once they had enough population) would be free:  slavery was banned by this Compromise above the latitude of 36 degrees, 30 minutes.

So the Missouri Compromise added Maine as a free state (which would side with the North), and Missouri as a slave state (which would side with the South until the Civil War, when it refused to join the southern Confederacy).  Many of the other new states to be added from the Louisiana Purchase (once they had enough population) would be free:  slavery was banned by this Compromise above the latitude of 36 degrees, 30 minutes.

The most lasting contribution of James Monroe was his "Monroe Doctrine" in 1823, which stated that Europe should not add any new colonies in North or South America because Europe's political and economic systems are vastly different from those in America.  In fact, Monroe stated that Europe should not interfere further in the Western Hemisphere.  To this day presidents continue to cite the Monroe Doctrine whenever a European country tries to do something in our hemisphere.

The most lasting contribution of James Monroe was his "Monroe Doctrine" in 1823, which stated that Europe should not add any new colonies in North or South America because Europe's political and economic systems are vastly different from those in America.  In fact, Monroe stated that Europe should not interfere further in the Western Hemisphere.  To this day presidents continue to cite the Monroe Doctrine to oppose a European country whenever it tries to do something in our hemisphere.

America was immensely prosperous under Monroe's conservative leadership.  The "Era of Good Feelings" overtook our country.  Roads and canals were built.  The economy blossomed.  Monroe vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill (calling for more government-built roads) and under his leadership the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.

America was immensely prosperous under Monroe's conservative leadership.  The "Era of Good Feelings" overtook our country.  Roads and canals were built.  The economy blossomed.  Monroe vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill (calling for more government-built roads) and under his leadership the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.