Abbey+S.+-+JMO+-+FA09

=JAMES MONROE=

April 28, 1758 - July 4, 1831
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 * **Political party:** Democratic- Republican
 * **Term served:** 1817 to 1825
 * **Vice President:** Daniel D. Tompkins

James Monroe deserves a **B+** for the success of his presidency. When he started his presidency, the nation was very stable both emotionally and economically. America had just won the War of 1812, which turned everyone's attention towards nationalism. Monroe was very popular among all US citizens. Rather than focusing on one specific region, he gave each region its own attention. Although the Panic of 1819 put the nation's economy in a depression, Monroe dealt with all of the issues in a professional manner.

The greatest goal that James Monroe had while president was to heighten the nationalistic spirit of the states after the War of 1812. This goal was quickly reduced because of events that caused great distress in America. The Panic of 1819 resulted in foreclosures, unemployment, bank closings, and a major reduction agriculture and manufacturing. This was caused by banks in America who gave out more money than they originally had in the bank. So when people went to withdrawal money, the banks could not pay them. Monroe tried to keep the American's spirits up and promote nationalism by taking trips around the country and visiting all of the states. Another goal of James Monroe as president was to stay out of war. He wrote the Monroe Doctrine to further state the nation's feelings on international warfare. It stated that the Western hemisphere was no longer open for colonization, the political system of America was different than Europe, the US would assume any interference with the Western hemisphere and its affairs was a threat to its security, and that the US would not join in any European wars and would not disturb existing colonies in the Western hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine 1).

During his first term, Monroe was at peace with both political parties. This was mostly because of the Era of Good Feelings, but also had to do with the fact that he traveled to visit with all of the states. Congress demanded that Monroe make many improvements to the country. The Cumberland Road bill was vetoed by Monroe because he thought it was unconstitutional for the government to greatly influence what each state had to do to maintain its roads and such. The tolerance for slaves in Missouri was debated over frequently, two years to be exact. Finally, a bill was passed that stated that Missouri would be a slave state with Maine, a free state, and that slavcery would not be tollerated north and west of Missouri. This was called the Missouri Compromise, which lasted until 1857 before it was determined unconstitutional.

The new states added to the Union were a positive outcome of Monroe's presidency.Five states including Mississippi, Alabama, Illinois, Maine and Missouri were added. Another positive outcome of his presidency was the Monroe Doctrine. It stated the American was a free country and wanted to stay neutral in all European wars. It also stated that Europe should not try to control America in anyway, or we would assume it was a threat to the US.

The veto of the Cumberland Road bill was, by far, the worst thing Monroe did during his presidency. It stated that the government would give money to repair roads and apply tolls to damaged roads in need of repair. Monroe believed that the passing of this bill might lead to state independence. If it were passed, trade in America could have rapidly increased along with a faster expansion rate.

The Monroe Doctrine protected the United States from foreign invaders, which helped ease the tension for future presidents. It also stated that the US government was nothing like Europen government. At the end of James Monroe's presidential term, the country of the United States of America was better off than before. The only flaw I saw in Monroe's actions was the veto of the Cumberland Road bill. Otherwise, Monroe deserves the B+ given to him.

__Bibliography__ "Monroe Doctrine." __Travel and History__. 1 Oct. 2009 <[]l>. "American President: James Monroe: Domestic Affairs." __Miller Center of Public Affairs__. 1 Oct. 2009 <[]>. "James Monroe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 1 Oct. 2009 <[]>.