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Born: April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland, Virginia Died: July 4, 1831 in New York City Political Party: Democratic-Republican Terms of Office: March 4, 1817— March 3, 1825 Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins from 1817— 1825 (Both Terms) Theme: American Identity
 * James Monroe **

American Identity perfectly describes James Monroe’s presidency, simply because the focus of his presidency was American development and nationalism. Monroe developed strong foreign affairs and affiliated himself in productive domestic ventures. Although he was not the most radical Democratic-Republican president, he made sure he did what was best for his country, not his party. He made it clear that American soil was not sharable. It is not going to sit back and let other countries colonize on its ground. Therefore, Monroe developed the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine proclaimed that the United States, “ ‘…are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by European powers,’” (DeGregorio 83). This doctrine idolized the United States, placing the vibrant and growing country among other world powers. Monroe made it clear in his first Inaugural Address that the United States had a strong government and is protecting it against, “ ‘…foreign dangers to adopt such arrangements as are indispensible to the support of our independence, our rights and liberties,’” (DeGregorio 79). Although Democratic-Republican values were in his mind, he wanted to create a title for the United States, making sure the government played an important role in the process of establishing a stable country. The Monroe Doctrine impacted Monroe’s presidency simply because he suggested this to Congress. Around the world, more countries were trying to colonize, and he wanted to protect the United States. Spain was starting to rekindle their former Latin American Colonies, and Russia wanted to get involved in the Oregon Territory after it had claims to Alaska (DeGregorio 83). This pressured Monroe enough to take matters into his own hands.

Another major development during Monroe’s presidency would be the Missouri Compromise. Missouri was trying to enter the Union as a slave state. However, the Northern states opposed this measure greatly. Congress proposed the Missouri Compromise allowing Missouri to become a slave state in the Union (as part of the South) and adding a new state, Maine, as a free state to the North (DeGregorio 62). Monroe wanted to veto this proposal claiming it was unconstitutional. In order to avoid a civil war, he signed the bill. Doing what was best for his country, he put personal opinions aside for the greater good. Americans thought that this was an equal decision, balancing the powers between the North and South. Should Missouri have not been admitted, the Southern states would think that the Government was favoring the Northern states. Monroe’s decision to pass the bill promoted the philosophy of republic, for the people.

Monroe’s presidency dismantled the title and credit of the Federalist Party. He won his presidency in 1816 with 183 electoral votes to 34. With two terms and amazing policies, he manage to make a distinguish impact on the history of the United States. James Monroe’s presidency deserves a rating of an A- due to his promotion of nationalism and union peace, creations of the Monroe Doctrine to set in place a firm American foreign policy, determination to resolve an economic depression, and admission of new states during his administration due to the Missouri Compromise and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.

President Monroe has a sufficient number of goals to obtain during his presidency. For his first term, he made it clear that he wanted to maintain the thriving economy. This goal was not accomplished since in 1819, an economic depression known as the Panic of 1819. Land speculation caused bankruptcies in the west, and Monroe and his administration promoted mortgage terms to help out debtors. Continuing, he so wished to promote government involvement in manufacturing. The United States was growing steadily and he wanted to ensure that the United States maintained the growth that it was experiencing. By promoting foreign policy, he wanted to secure the nation from foreign nations and their, “drama.” He accomplished this goal by the Rush-Bagot Afreement in 1818, which demilitarized the Great Lakes between Americans and Great Britain (DeGregorio 62). He also secured Florida from Spain in 1819 through the Adams-Onis Treaty, which one of his goals was to expand the United States even more. For Monroe’s second term, he wanted make sure he was neutral, and not being fervent for any political party. This goal was accomplished amazingly. Monroe maintained neutral in pretty much any issue that occurred during his presidency. It’s normal for a president to maintain a foreign policy. James established the Monroe Doctrine, which placed a huge sign to other countries, “Beware, America is serious.” At this time in history, there was peace between state and national government, and Monroe wanted to, at all costs, protect this neutrality. By signing the Missouri Compromise, even though he wanted to veto it, it maintained peace between the states, and made it clear that the federal government was not favoring a certain geographical area. Monroe yearned for western development and by doing so he focused on domestic policy more in his second term compared to his first.

Monroe’s relationship with Congress was strictly professional. Although the majority party in Congress was Republicans, the laws that were passed, was on behalf of the government, not affiliated for a particular party. When Missouri wanted to become apart of the Union in 1820, Congress propped the Missouri Compromise to admit Missouri as a slave state, and create a new state, Maine, as a free state. Monroe wanted to veto the bill because he felt it was unconstitutional. He signed it, to avoid a civil war. Congress also proposed a bill in 1822 to have the federal government make tollbooths on the Cumberland Road. Monroe vetoed the bill claiming roads were left to the states. Monroe took advice from Jefferson in terms of passing bills in congress. Monroe (and Jefferson for the matter) denied federal financing for roads and canals. By honing in on state responsibility, it would relieve pressure off the federal government. Individual responsibility. These issues would pop up again and was one of the leading causes for sectionalism to emerge. In 1824, the Survey Act emerged that planned, “of future public works,” (Whitney 53). While Monroe kept some of Jefferson’s policies in the back of his mind, Monroe did a great job in terms of decisions regarding legislation.

During Monroe’s presidency, a plethora of achievements were manifested. All of the actions spawned from Monroe’s vindictive foreign policy. The action with the most powerful outcome would have to be the Monroe Doctrine. It only makes sense that it is the most powerful outcome simply because it created a title for the United States and made it clear to the World that America is truly independent. By allowing America to prosper without other countries intervening, the Monroe Doctrine really gave the Old World powers a place…and not in America. Another great achievement would be the Missouri Compromise because it extended the union and promoted peace between the North and South. It avoided a civil war, which was the last thing that the United States needed. This is positive because at this point in time, money was scarce, and no particular region was the strongest in military expertise. A civil war would essentially tear the United States apart, reduce economic gain, split the federal government, create multiple types of currency, and the list goes on and on. With Monroe signing this bill, instead of vetoing, which is what he wanted to do, Monroe kept the peace. After the War of 1812, the United States needed to unify as much as possible. With signs of sectionalism emerging, keeping the U.S. together was necessary for survival. Sectionalism mean violence, and violence means death. The idea of promoting the United States was the most important adventure at this time, and no one seemed to care. Monroe tried to the best of his ability to keep the union together as long as possible. By establishing an equal state bill (Missouri Compromise) he managed to put the nation's security first by establishing two new states. Clearly, these accomplishments distinguished Monroe's presidency from others.

The Panic of 1819 would be the worst outcome of Monroe’s presidency. This depression put debtors in jail and foreclosed many houses and businesses in the West. Since land speculation was shady, inflation of money went up, and bank practices were, “Shoddy,” it was praying for depression (DeGregorio 82). Monroe and his administration loosened the mortgage terms for those who wanted to purchase land from the government, to try and make it up to Americans. Depressions naturally fall into the most negative outcome because it displeased many Americans. Another factor that was negative would be the fact that after the "Era of Good Feelings" passed, sectionalism was really starting to prevail. This precursor was ultimately a century long phenomenon that would fuel the fire of many opinions and disagreements. As seen in the Missouri Compromise, the battle of slave states, versus free states was starting to erupt. Also, tariff policies, roads and canals, political organization, and even economic policy. Although Monroe tried to keep the peace as long as he could, it was out of his hands to prevent sectionalism.

The Monroe Doctrine set a precedent for future presidents to come indefinitely. As mentioned, the Monroe Doctrine promoted the idea of the republic, which is what the United States was yearning for, for years to come. By closing the sign of, “Open for Colonization,” America was now able to expand to its pleasing. Presidents after Monroe would be able to look back upon Monroe’s foreign policy strategy, which was successful for him. They should also look upon Monroe approving the Missouri Compromise not because he approved it, but because it was what was best for his country. Monroe’s ability to look beyond his political party allowed him to do what was best, when it was needed. Americans at the time probably approved of his decency of views to promote a thriving country economically and politically.

To conclude, Monroe established a deserved name for the United States through the Monroe Doctrine. By doing so, he promoted nationalism that was needed at the time. Sectionalism was taking early roots between the Northern and Southern states. My approving the Missouri Compromise, Monroe promoted equality between the divided sections of American. Also, James promoted nationalism through The Era of Good Feelings at the beginning of his presidency, which was when he went on a tour to check out how strong the military was. By admitting new states into the Union, Monroe established a thriving expansion of the United States. Monroe would have received an A+, however the Panic of 1819 pushed him down to an A-. But, he pulled the country through the depression, and improved the country tremendously during his second term. It is fair to say that the country was better off with James Monroe. He provided further nationalistic feelings and shaped the country even more (literally). James Monroe’s presidency will leave an everlasting imprint in the United States’ History.

Works Cited DeGregorio, William A. "James Monroe." //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2005. 73-86. Print.

"James Monroe." //The White House//. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .

"James Monroe." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .

Peters, Gerhard. "James Monroe: Inaugural Address." //The American Presidency Project//. The American Presidency Project, 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .

Whitney, David C., and Robin Vaughn. Whitney. "James Monroe." //The American Presidents//. 9th ed. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 2001. 47-54. Print.