Changes

clearly indicated a willingness to approve an alternative, the result of which was the extensive internal improvements planning measure of 1824. Moreover, Monroe approved the tariff act of the same year. His appointments of [[John Quincy Adams]], [[John C. Calhoun]], [[William H. Crawford]], and [[William Wirt]] to the Cabinet were strong selections; all were staunch nationalists with a vision of a strong nation state. Monroe refused to engage personally in the debate over the controversial [[Missouri Compromise]] question.   

clearly indicated a willingness to approve an alternative, the result of which was the extensive internal improvements planning measure of 1824. Moreover, Monroe approved the tariff act of the same year. His appointments of [[John Quincy Adams]], [[John C. Calhoun]], [[William H. Crawford]], and [[William Wirt]] to the Cabinet were strong selections; all were staunch nationalists with a vision of a strong nation state. Monroe refused to engage personally in the debate over the controversial [[Missouri Compromise]] question.   

[[Image:MONROE-ADMIN.JPG|thumb|left|350px]]

[[Image:MONROE-ADMIN.JPG|thumb|left|425px]]

===End of nasty partisanship===

===End of nasty partisanship===

Monroe deliberately downplayed party politics. With the death of the old Federalist party, old animosities faded away and few new ones emerged. Indeed, the Republican party itself faded away, as Monroe avoided using patronage to strengthen partisanship. To emphasize the coming era of national unity, Monroe followed Washington's example by embarking on a tour of the nation. He visited New England and the Middle Atlantic states in 1817, and the West and South in 1819. His purpose was clearly understood. Fittingly, it was in a Federalist newspaper, as the editor welcomed the approaching end of party warfare, that the phrase "Era of Good Feelings" was first used. Monroe's arrival became the scene of unprecedented demonstrations--troops of militia, parades, banquets, and delegations of citizens who greeted him enthusiastically not only as president but as a celebrated hero of the Revolution.  

Monroe deliberately downplayed party politics. With the death of the old Federalist party, old animosities faded away and few new ones emerged. Indeed, the Republican party itself faded away, as Monroe avoided using patronage to strengthen partisanship. To emphasize the coming era of national unity, Monroe followed Washington's example by embarking on a tour of the nation. He visited New England and the Middle Atlantic states in 1817, and the West and South in 1819. His purpose was clearly understood. Fittingly, it was in a Federalist newspaper, as the editor welcomed the approaching end of party warfare, that the phrase "Era of Good Feelings" was first used. Monroe's arrival became the scene of unprecedented demonstrations--troops of militia, parades, banquets, and delegations of citizens who greeted him enthusiastically not only as president but as a celebrated hero of the Revolution.  

Despite the economic downturn, Monroe remained popular and was reelected in 1820 almost unanimously.<ref> The only electoral vote cast against him was done so Washington would be the only unanimous choice.</ref>   

Despite the economic downturn, Monroe remained popular and was reelected in 1820 almost unanimously.<ref> The only electoral vote cast against him was done so Washington would be the only unanimous choice.</ref>   

The economy recovered after 1820. Monroe vetoed an appropriation for road repairs in the Cumberland Road Bill (1822), stating that "congress does not possess the power under the constitution to pass such a law."<ref>http://www.econlib.org/library/YPDBooks/Lalor/llCy338.html</ref> With Monroe in the White House, the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.  

The economy recovered after 1820. Monroe vetoed an appropriation for road repairs in the Cumberland Road Bill (1822), stating that "congress does not possess the power under the constitution to pass such a law."<ref>see [http://www.econlib.org/library/YPDBooks/Lalor/llCy338.html quote]</ref> With Monroe in the White House, the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.  

===Missouri Compromise===

===Missouri Compromise===

The U.S. Senate was evenly split during the Monroe Administration: 11 free states and 11 slave states (Delaware and Kentucky were slave states), and admission of a new state threatened the balance. Monroe peacefully resolved the difficult dispute over slavery in new states with the Missouri Compromise: admit one free state (Maine) to balance one new slave state (Missouri), and ban slavery above a certain latitude (36 degrees, 30 minutes) in the Louisiana Territory.  

The U.S. Senate was evenly split during the Monroe Administration: 11 free states and 11 slave states (Delaware and Kentucky were slave states), and admission of a new state threatened the balance. Monroe peacefully resolved the difficult dispute over slavery in new states with the Missouri Compromise: admit one free state (Maine) to balance one new slave state (Missouri), and ban slavery above a certain latitude (36 degrees, 30 minutes) in the Louisiana Territory.