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 * James Monroe**
 * Birth date: In Westmoreland County, Virginia on April 28, 1758**
 * Political Party: Democratic-Republican**
 * Term: 1817-1821 and 1821-1825**
 * Vice President: Daniel Tompkins (both terms)**


 * Death date: In New York City, New York on July 4, 1831**
 * Theme: The American Identity**
 * Rating: B+**
 * James Monroe had been a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, a lawyer, and senator up until his winning the election and becoming the fifth president of the United States. Much of Monroe’s presidency centered around the western area of the continental US. Many predicaments arose in the expansion of eight years during Monroe’s presidency. These included the issues with Spanish Florida, the Panic of 1819, and the Missouri Compromise. The overall issues and positive impacts that Monroe used to deal with these problems and to keep the people of America strong is what should be reflected in the rating of an B+. For his efforts and clear devotion to all the people of the country that influenced the American Identity.**
 * Like past presidents before him, Monroe had to present his inaugural address which presented his goals as president of the American people. Shortly after being sworn into office in 1817, had set out how he was going to improve the country and further change it for the better. Some of his objectives that Monroe had included keeping and expanding the land to the west. This was later done in the form of the Monroe Doctrine. This was declared by Monroe and it stated that there was to be no further or future colonization by any other country, especially the British. This was a way that the country would be able the grow and expand its economy and territory. It was a huge plus for the confidence of the American people because it was a way of saying that they could take care of themselves and didn’t need assistance in speaking its mind. The Monroe Doctrine also led to another one of Monroe’s goals of European interference with the southern Latin countries. After the Monroe Doctrine, many Latin countries looked but to America. But, a goal that didn’t exactly go as planned turned out be a success. Monroe sent Andrew Jackson to Spanish Florida to subdue native Americans who had recently been invading American settlements. And later John Quincy Adams convinced Spain to sell the state of Florida to the United States.**
 * Like past presidents before him, Monroe had to present his inaugural address which presented his goals as president of the American people. Shortly after being sworn into office in 1817, had set out how he was going to improve the country and further change it for the better. Some of his objectives that Monroe had included keeping and expanding the land to the west. This was later done in the form of the Monroe Doctrine. This was declared by Monroe and it stated that there was to be no further or future colonization by any other country, especially the British. This was a way that the country would be able the grow and expand its economy and territory. It was a huge plus for the confidence of the American people because it was a way of saying that they could take care of themselves and didn’t need assistance in speaking its mind. The Monroe Doctrine also led to another one of Monroe’s goals of European interference with the southern Latin countries. After the Monroe Doctrine, many Latin countries looked but to America. But, a goal that didn’t exactly go as planned turned out be a success. Monroe sent Andrew Jackson to Spanish Florida to subdue native Americans who had recently been invading American settlements. And later John Quincy Adams convinced Spain to sell the state of Florida to the United States.**


 * In the pervious years of 1810 and 1811 James Monroe served as a member of the War Cabinet. The younger congressmen at that time thought of Monroe as a practical young man. Then later he established a higher connection with president James Madison when Monroe was appointed the secretary of the state of Virginia by Madison. Also later, but before his sworn presidency, Monroe faced a profound crisis. Secretary of War John Armstrong which then effected Monroe’s wishes of a military command. It had been said that Monroe taken away John Armstrong’s brother-in law Robert Livingston of his entitlement to the Louisiana Purchase. This act then earned Monroe an additional position in the cabinet as the secretary of war. Through the high standards and obvious trust that Congress held with Monroe, when he later became president he established tremendous relations with Congress during the time of his presidency.**
 * Without a doubt, the most positive result at the end of Monroe’s presidency was the Monroe Doctrine. This was an act that was declared by James Monroe. It was originally meant to keep European (especially Britain) from any colonization of the western hemisphere. Great Britain even went as far as to run the idea of a joint US-Britain declaration. But Monroe declined and stated that if the United States was to follow the British ways then they would not continue to be the unique and independent country that it had developed into. There would be no free thought or interests in the United States. The land that was now America was still expanding and this new policy made it clear that there was to be no further attempts at colonizing the western portion of the country by any other country. This action was positive for America because had soon become more like a country to look up to for the new Latin American countries to the south like Peru, Chile, and Mexico. These Latin Americans had been suffering similar issues the Americans did under their previous mother country. This then shaped the American Identity because if this act had not been put in place, the current day western portion of the United States may not be the same as it is today. Or maybe it could not be owned by us at all if it wasn’t for the Monroe Doctrine. The main negative of Monroe’s presidency was the Panic of 1819. This was an time where the economy was taking a dramatic plunge into a depression. There were less imports and exports to and from the country. Many places went bankrupt, and the unemployment rate shot through the roof. Many citizens looked to president Monroe for assistance. However, Monroe didn’t respond too much to the country’s big decline. He thought that this was what should have been expected from the fast growing economy. To Monroe it was a natural event that was no surprise to him that occurred. So this was a major setback for the country and it didn’t seem like Monroe even cared too much. But thankfully, the depression only lasted until 1823. But afterwards the American citizen had to get back up on their feet from a huge downfall.**
 * More over, president James Monroe contribute a great deal to the future of American and the American Identity through his invigorating efforts to expand and get the country to become an independent mind and to thrive and prosper. The Monroe Doctrine was probably the biggest impact that Monroe’s presidency had on America. It really made up for what the country is today. There may not have been the same boundaries and/or border lines of territory on the United States if it wasn’t for James Monroe. The pride and nationalism may not have been as strong and fulfilled. Along with the idea of being on your own and doing things for yourself plays an enormous role in the high status and standards the United States stands up to today, which shapes us into our own version of what America is and its identity.**
 * To end, America was in an Era of good feelings, so going into his first term, Monroe didn’t have too much to worry about. But situations turned around with the Panic of 1819, outer interference of land, and Latin predicaments. Although times were clearly hard for the country and president, Monroe held his head up high and seemed to only wish the best for his great country and its people. Most of the decisions that he made were to benefit the country and direct the people in the right direction. So overall James Monroe should earn a B+ for his presidency due to his protection and devotion he had for his country to form it into an enhanced society for the future of the American Identity.**
 * Works Cited:**
 * Works Cited:**


 * "American President: Biography of James Monroe." //Miller Center//. Miller Center Virginia University, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .**


 * Logan, Joseph. "The American Revolution - (James Monroe)." //The American Revolution - (Home)//. The American Revolution.org, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .**


 * Woolley, John, and Gerhard Peters. "James Monroe: Inaugural Address." //The American Presidency Project//. The American Presidency Project, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. .**