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'''James Monroe''' (1758-1831) was the fifth [[president of the United States of America]] (1817-1825), best known for sponsoring the [[Monroe Doctrine]], and for presiding over a period of peace and (mostly) prosperity and a lessening of partisan tensions known as the "[[Era of Good Feelings]]."  He was the last of the Virginia Dynasty that controlled the presidency for 32 of the 36 years from 1789 to 1825. He held many political and diplomatic offices, and was a loyal lieutenant to [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]], the previous [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Republican]] presidents.  

'''James Monroe''' (1758–1831) was the fifth [[president of the United States of America]] (1817–1825), best known for sponsoring the [[Monroe Doctrine]], and for presiding over a period of peace and (mostly) prosperity and a lessening of partisan tensions known as the "[[Era of Good Feelings]]."  He was the last of the Virginia Dynasty that controlled the presidency for 32 of the 36 years from 1789 to 1825. He held many political and diplomatic offices, and was a loyal lieutenant to [[Thomas Jefferson]] and [[James Madison]], the previous [[Republicans (Jeffersonian)|Republican]] presidents.  

Monroe was the only president to be elected by unanimous vote subsequent to [[George Washington]], in 1820, not counting a "faithless Elector" who switched his vote to [[John Quincy Adams]].  The collapse of the [[Federalist Party]] was a contributing factor to Monroe's lack of opposition.

Monroe was the only president to be elected by unanimous vote subsequent to [[George Washington]], in 1820, not counting a "faithless Elector" who switched his vote to [[John Quincy Adams]].  The collapse of the [[Federalist Party]] was a contributing factor to Monroe's lack of opposition.

==Presidency==

==Presidency==

Once in office, Monroe dropped his strict states' rights views to a more moderate position that better reflected the spirit of the country. Although he vetoed an internal improvements bill, he  

Once in office, Monroe dropped his strict states' rights views to a more moderate position that better reflected the spirit of the country. Although he vetoed an internal improvements bill, he 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|425px]]

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

A sharp financial disaster known as the [[Panic of 1819]] hit the country in 1819; many blamed the distress on the policies of the [[Second Bank of the United States]] (chartered in 1817 with Monroe's support), which was badly managed by [[William Jones]], its first president. Monroe, who considered the bank essential to ensure a sound currency and to control the careless habits of state banks in making loans, succeeded in 1819 in persuading the directors to replace Jones with [[Langdon Cheves]], a former Congressman and a far abler financier. Monroe approved Chief Justice [[John Marshall]]'s decision in [[McCulloch v. Maryland]] (1819), which upheld the constitutionality of the bank.

A sharp financial disaster known as the [[Panic of 1819]] hit the country in 1819; many blamed the distress on the policies of the [[Second Bank of the United States]] (chartered in 1817 with Monroe's support), which was badly managed by [[William Jones]], its first president. Monroe, who considered the bank essential to ensure a sound currency and to control the careless habits of state banks in making loans, succeeded in 1819 in persuading the directors to replace Jones with [[Langdon Cheves]], a former Congressman and a far abler financier. Monroe approved Chief Justice [[John Marshall]]'s decision in [[McCulloch v. Maryland]] (1819), which upheld the constitutionality of the bank.

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>

 

===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.

 

===Foreign affairs===

===Foreign affairs===

Perhaps the most brilliant achievements of Monroe's administration were in the sphere of foreign affairs, where much of the credit is due his brilliant Secretary of State [[John Quincy Adams]]. In succession the outstanding questions with Britain were resolved. The issue over [[Oregon Territory]] was settled on the basis of joint occupation, the [[Rush-Bagot agreement]] of 1817 imposed a limitation of armaments on the Great Lakes, and a mutually satisfactory fisheries treaty was negotiated in 1818.  

Perhaps the most brilliant achievements of Monroe's administration were in the sphere of foreign affairs, where much of the credit is due his brilliant Secretary of State [[John Quincy Adams]]. In succession the outstanding questions with Britain were resolved. The issue over [[Oregon Territory]] was settled on the basis of joint occupation, the [[Rush-Bagot agreement]] of 1817 imposed a limitation of armaments on the Great Lakes, and a mutually satisfactory fisheries treaty was negotiated in 1818.

 

===Spain and Florida===

===Spain and Florida===

The relations with Spain over the purchase of Florida proved to be more troublesome, especially after General [[Andrew Jackson]] invaded that territory on what he believed to be the president's authorization, which Monroe later denied giving. But largely through the skillful work of John Quincy Adams, a treaty was signed with Spain in 1819 by which Florida was ceded to the United States in return for the assumption of $5,000,000 in claims and the relinquishment of any claims to Texas.

The relations with Spain over the purchase of Florida proved to be more troublesome, especially after General [[Andrew Jackson]] invaded that territory on what he believed to be the president's authorization, which Monroe later denied giving. But largely through the skillful work of John Quincy Adams, a treaty was signed with Spain in 1819 by which Florida was ceded to the United States in return for the assumption of $5,000,000 in claims and the relinquishment of any claims to Texas.

===Monroe Doctrine===

===Monroe Doctrine===

After the Napoleonic wars (which ended in 1815), almost all of Latin America revolted against Spanish or Portuguese rule and declared independence.<ref>The main exceptions were the West Indies islands especially Cuba and Puerto Rico which remained with Spain until 1898.</ref> Americans welcomed this development as a validation of the spirit of [[Republicanism]]. Adams suggested delay in formal recognition until Florida was secured in in 1819. The whole problem of imperial invasion was intensified by a Russian claim to the Pacific coast down to the fifty-first parallel and simultaneous European pressure to have all of Latin America returned to its colonial status. In March 1822 Monroe informed Congress that permanent stable governments had been established in the United Provinces of La Plata (present-day Argentina), Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Adams, under Monroe's careful supervision, wrote the instructions for the ministers (ambassadors) to these new countries. They declared that the policy of the United States was to uphold republican institutions and to seek treaties of commerce on a most-favored-nation basis. The United States would support inter-American congresses dedicated to the development of economic and political institutions fundamentally differing from those prevailing in Europe. The articulation of an "American system" distinct from that of Europe was a basic tenet of Monroe's policy toward Latin  America. Monroe took pride as the United States was the first nation to extend recognition and to set an example to the rest of the world for its support of the "cause of liberty and humanity."

After the Napoleonic wars (which ended in 1815), almost all of Latin America revolted against Spanish or Portuguese rule and declared independence.<ref>The main exceptions were the West Indies islands especially Cuba and Puerto Rico which remained with Spain until 1898.</ref> Americans welcomed this development as a validation of the spirit of [[Republicanism]]. Adams suggested delay in formal recognition until Florida was secured in 1819. The whole problem of imperial invasion was intensified by a Russian claim to the Pacific coast down to the fifty-first parallel and simultaneous European pressure to have all of Latin America returned to its colonial status. In March 1822 Monroe informed Congress that permanent stable governments had been established in the United Provinces of La Plata (present-day Argentina), Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Adams, under Monroe's careful supervision, wrote the instructions for the ministers (ambassadors) to these new countries. They declared that the policy of the United States was to uphold republican institutions and to seek treaties of commerce on a most-favored-nation basis. The United States would support inter-American congresses dedicated to the development of economic and political institutions fundamentally differing from those prevailing in Europe. The articulation of an "American system" distinct from that of Europe was a basic tenet of Monroe's policy toward Latin  America. Monroe took pride as the United States was the first nation to extend recognition and to set an example to the rest of the world for its support of the "cause of liberty and humanity."

Monroe and Adams realized that American recognition would not protect the new countries against military intervention to restore Spain's power. In October 1823 Richard Rush, the American minister in London, advised that Foreign Secretary George Canning was proposing that the U.S. and Britain jointly declare their opposition to European intervention.  Galvanized by the British initiative, Monroe consulted with American leaders and then formulated a plan with Adams and incorporated it in his annual message to Congress in December 1823. The principles that have become known as the [[Monroe Doctrine]].  

Monroe and Adams realized that American recognition would not protect the new countries against military intervention to restore Spain's power. In October 1823 Richard Rush, the American minister in London, advised that Foreign Secretary George Canning was proposing that the U.S. and Britain jointly declare their opposition to European intervention.  Galvanized by the British initiative, Monroe consulted with American leaders and then formulated a plan with Adams and incorporated it in his annual message to Congress in December 1823. The principles that have become known as the [[Monroe Doctrine]].  

The Monroe Doctrine, which followed up George Washington's admonitions ahgainst foreign entanglements, was the work of British Foreign Minister George Canning and Monroe's Secretary of State [[John Quincy Adams]] more than of Monroe. At the time it pertained more to the Russians in North America than to the former Spanish colonies in South America. The result was a system of American isolationism under the sponsorship of the British navy.  

The Monroe Doctrine, which followed up George Washington's admonitions against foreign entanglements, was the work of British Foreign Minister George Canning and Monroe's Secretary of State [[John Quincy Adams]] more than of Monroe. At the time it pertained more to the Russians in North America than to the former Spanish colonies in South America. The result was a system of American isolationism under the sponsorship of the British navy.  

The Monroe Doctrine held that the United States considered the Western Hemisphere as no longer a place for European colonization; that any future effort to gain further political control in the hemisphere or to violate the independence of existing states would be treated as an act of hostility; and finally that there existed two different and incompatible political systems in the world. Therefore, the United States promised to refrain from intervention in European affairs and demanded Europe to abstain from interfering with American matters. In the event there were few serious European attempts at intervention.

The Monroe Doctrine held that the United States considered the Western Hemisphere as no longer a place for European colonization; that any future effort to gain further political control in the hemisphere or to violate the independence of existing states would be treated as an act of hostility; and finally that there existed two different and incompatible political systems in the world. Therefore, the United States promised to refrain from intervention in European affairs and demanded Europe to abstain from interfering with American matters. In the event there were few serious European attempts at intervention.

[[Image:MONROE-DOCTRINE.JPG|thumb|300px]]

[[Image:MONROE-DOCTRINE.JPG|thumb|300px]]

Monroe lacked the charisma of Washington, and the brilliance of Jefferson and Madison. He was an energetic and able administrator and a harmonizer of conflicting viewpoints. His great achievement was to calm the political waters.  He lived a simple but energetic life devoted almost entirely to the public affairs of his nation and his state. He kept his religious beliefs very strictly private, and historians do not know what they were.

Monroe lacked the charisma of Washington and the brilliance of Jefferson and Madison. He was an energetic and able administrator and a harmonizer of conflicting viewpoints. His great achievement was to calm the political waters.  He lived a simple but energetic life devoted almost entirely to the public affairs of his nation and his state. He kept his religious beliefs very strictly private, and historians do not know what they were.

== In His Own Words ==

== In His Own Words ==

==References==

==References==

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{{reflist}}

==External links==

==External links==

{{USPresidents}}

{{USPresidents}}

{{Conservative Presidents}}

{{Conservative Presidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monroe, James}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monroe, James}}

[[Category:Virginia Governors]]

[[Category:Virginia Governors]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

[[Category:War of 1812]]

[[Category:War of 1812]]