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 **// President: James Monroe //** // April 28, 1758- July 4, 1831 // Party: Democratic- Republican Terms: March 4, 1817- March 4, 1820 March 4, 1820 – March 4, 1825 Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins James Monroe was qualified, insightful and respected; which helped contribute to his success as president. He gained his qualifications as a leader during his terms as Governor of Virginia; and while serving as U.S. Senator. Before presidency, Monroe also held the positions as a member of the Continental Congress; Secretary of State and Minister of France and Great Britain. Throughout these positions, Monroe grew to be respected by his colleagues and fellow citizens. Overall, James Monroe deserves a B for his presidency.

Monroe’s goals for presidency were in reflection to what he had been working on years, before he became ruler of the country. His hopes were that nationalism would continue to increase; that the New World would break ties with France and improve with Britain; and that America would improve internally. When his looked back; he noticed that since the War of 1812; American’s had really come together; and while the might have not fought the war as a group, they merged into one quickly after. Through his ideas of internal improvement he hoped to see the use of transportation and trade routes make the America’s a whole; and leave the parts in the past. When breaking ties, he knew he had to decrease the New World’s need for France, hence the need for a strong, united country; making the need for nationalism even higher than ever before.

James Monroe was backed up by Congress in both terms of his Presidency. His party, the Democratic- Republicans; held the majority party throughout; helping his chances of ideas being passed. A look at the numbers more closely: 10 Federalists || ** 35 Dem- Republics ** 7 Federalists || ** 44 Dem- Republics ** 4 Federalists || ** 44 Dem- Republics ** 4 Federalists || 42 Federalists || ** 156 Dem- Republicans ** 27 Federalists || ** 158 Dem- Republicans ** 25 Federalists || ** 187 Dem- Republicans ** 26 Federalists || The majority was beneficial to Monroe, as well as the citizens of the United States. A few of the things passed either directly affect us, or are visible today. For example the Flag Act of 1818; put on the 13 stripes and changed the star count. Another act passed by the 15th Congress was the Navigation Act of 1817, in which all cargo carried between American ports, must be shipped in ships owned completely by an American citizen, or West Indies merchant. During the 16th Congress they passed both the Missouri Compromise and the Land Act of 1820. The Land Act eliminated the buying of land if the owner was in debt. During the time of the 17th Congress; nothing major was passed; but in the 18th, they pass the Tariff of 1824; the protective tariff. Things all began to play out from there on.
 * 15th || 16th || 17th || 18th ||
 * Senate || Senate || Senate || Senate ||
 * ** 34 Dem- Republics **
 * House || House || House || House ||
 * ** 141 Dem- Republics **

Over Monroe’s double term, his administration made a number of positive and negative decisions. His administration was termed //The Era of Good Feelings//; as he had toured the country, and helped unite the nation. A few of the administration’s more positive ideas were the Convention of 1818; the Missouri Compromise, and the breaking of French ties, and alliances. The Convention opened an agreement between the United States and Great Britain, as well as fixed the border over Minnesota, through the mountains. The breaking of French ties helped to build the nation into a whole, united group; and prevented more issues in the future, concerning war and conflict. There were also a few negatives throughout the terms. Those included the Panic of 1819, and the First Seminole War. The Panic was an economic depression. It was caused by the competition of European trade imports. It was the first economic depression of the New World, and lasted two years.

Throughout his presidency, Monroe made many vital contributions; but the most important would have to be the Monroe Doctrine, in 1823. The Doctrine was made after a few Latin American countries began to separate from Spain. Monroe made clear; of three main rules, or the reasons the Doctrine was going to take effect. They were: to let go of United States neutrality policy currently held with Europe, declare United States would no longer recolonize with a European leader, and that the United States vowed to have no interference with existing European colonies already present in America. This was the “first significant policy statement by the United States on the future of the Western Hemisphere” (Foreign Affairs Biography). It made a huge impact on the United States’ future.

In conclusion, James Monroe was a solid president; who really helped out the country. From the beginning, he had made some great strides in the right direction; to help the New World succeed. He added some Acts, and changed some laws; so his B definitely stands; no doubt about it. 

Works Cited "American President: James Monroe: American President An Online Refrence Resource." //Miller// //Center// //of Public Affairs//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . Degregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. 3rd ed. Avenel: Wings Books, 1984. Print. "Era of Good Feelings -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . "Flag Acts (United States) -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . "James Monroe -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . "List of United States federal legislation -." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . "Navigation Act of 1817: Information from Answers.com." //Answers.com - Online Dictionary, Encyclopedia and much more//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. . "Tariff of 1824." //Travel and History//. Web. 27 Sept. 2009. .

