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James Monroe April 28, 1758- July 4, 1831 Political Party: Republican Terms: 1816- 1820 and 1820-1824 Vice President: Daniel D. Thompkins (both terms)

Following the War of 1812 and James Madison’s presidency, the United States was in a comfortable place known in history as the Era of Good Feelings. Popular James Monroe stepped into this era with the support of many citizens and no major issues to worry about. However as his presidency came about, underlying problems started to slowly but surely emerge, and soon the United States started to fray. Such problems like the Missouri Compromise were tough to handle, but Monroe’s presidency shined brightly with his handling of foreign affairs. While some legislatures were critical of Monroe’s presidency, he came through with a resolution in almost every situation and kept the best interest of the country in mind. As a grade, James Monroe deserves a "A-" for his presidency.

Entering his presidency, James Monroe strived to do what other presidents had done before him by keeping the government strong and secure, improving it if possible. So while no significant improvements of the government were accomplished, it was left in good standing after his Administration. In his first inauguration address, Monroe also mentioned that he wanted the U.S. to start to depending more on itself and less on other countries. His goal provided the framework for Monroe’s Doctrine by keeping Russia from obtaining land on the territory, and not allying with Britain in a joint declaration having to do with Latin American territory. Without it, the U.S. could have been thrown into a whirlwind of foreign affairs, leaving it with more entanglements than necessary.

Monroe’s relationship with Congress seemed fairly decent throughout his presidency. His popularity and generally warm demeanor gained him respect from Congress that he didn’t fail to return. In attempt to resolve a domestic issue, Monroe came up with the Missouri Compromise that admitted both Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, to keep sectional balance. Some of the other legislature passed dealt with wrapping up the War of 1812 between Britain and the U.S., including the Rush-Bagot Agreement in 1818 that ended military fighting on the Great Lakes and the Convention of 1818, which granted American fisherman rights to go in some Canadian waters, fixed the U.S.-Canada border to where it stands today, and resolved joint occupation of Oregon Country. Within foreign affairs, probably the most notable was the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819. After General Andrew Jackson completely destroyed and overtook Florida from Spain, which some thought went beyond orders, the treaty was formed which ceded Florida and Oregon to the U.S. As compensation, Spain received Texas and the $5 million in damage from Florida had to be paid by the U.S. The only other foreign treaty was the Russo-American Treaty in 1824, where the southernmost limits of Russia ended at the Alaskan panhandle. In his presidency, Monroe only took pride in vetoing only one bill, which would have authorized construction and maintenance of toll booths on Cumberland Road. After much delegation with others in his Administration, Monroe actually changed his mind and signed an internal improvements bill. The legislation in his presidency proved to strengthen his relationship with Congress, for even on his only veto he changed his thinking.

In the midst of issues that came about in Monroe’s presidency, there came the creation of the Monroe Doctrine, with the help of John Quincy Adams. This doctrine emerged into the most positive and notable outcome of his entire presidency. In 1823, the United States was fretful and alarmed by the push of foreign countries that threatened its protection. Russia had begun expanding into present day British Columbia and starting to move into where San Francisco stands today. To top it off, Latin American republics were rising from Spanish control, and European powers were about ready to start getting involved. When Britain asked the U.S. to take part in a joint declaration with them that would renounce interest in acquiring Latin American territory, that’s when the U.S. pulled back. With the encouragement of John Quincy Adams, Monroe released the Monroe Doctrine. It first pointed to Russia and its expansion, but then grew to include a warning against foreign intervention and the U.S.’s unwillingness to get involved. While European countries were angered, they couldn’t do anything because of the British Navy that separated them from America. This doctrine resulted in the most famous piece of nationalism post-War of 1812, and it became the cornerstone for American foreign policy in the 19th century. If the doctrine hadn’t been written and the U.S. had been thrown into the alliance with Britain, as many legislatures were pushing for Monroe to do, foreign affairs could have turned into an ugly mess with irrevocable consequences. So Monroe was intelligent to listen to Adams and create his one-of-a-kind doctrine.

While Monroe was able to sufficiently handle foreign affairs, his handling of domestic affairs was not as lucky. Therefore, the Missouri Compromise turned out to be the worst outcome of Monroe’s presidency. In 1819, sectional issues between the South and the North were building up speed for an inevitable clash. Missouri wanted to be admitted into the U.S. as a slave state, but Congress was relenting from the sectional balance. More problems began to present themselves as the North got wealthier and more settled. Finally, Monroe issued the Missouri Compromise, which admitted Missouri as a slave state, but also admitted Maine as a free state. This, even though it seemed to make the most sense at the time, was a temporary fix to avoid the main problems at hand. The compromise only heightened the realization that the states were on the verge of a break-up. Monroe did the best he could with the situation, but in the end his temporary solution was all that it was said to be- temporary. He could have taken more action by recognizing the problem for everything it was.

As the Monroe Doctrine was the most positive outcome of Monroe’s presidency, it also become the most influential on the future generations of presidents, including other foreign affairs. Even with editions made by the Roosevelt Corollary (Theodore Roosevelt) and the Good Neighbor Policy (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), the roots of the Monroe Doctrine have made it through multiple presidents and are still presented in the foreign policy of today. Meanwhile, other products of the foreign affairs made by Monroe are still standing today, such as the obtainment of Florida from Spain and the boundary lines set in the settlements between Britain and the U.S. These achievements have shaped the U.S., figuratively and literally, and it would be a different nation without them.

In spite of all the problems Monroe had to endure through his presidency, he was able to handle every one with dignity and the thought of his country in mind. His goals of keeping a strong, secure government and depending less on foreign countries were represented throughout his time as president. The Monroe Doctrine and other results of foreign affairs can still be seen today, and his only negative outcome from his presidency was the Missouri Compromise, of which he did the best he could possibly do. Based on his grade of an "A-", it’s only self-explanatory that we were better off with President James Monroe.

"American President: James Monroe." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. . Bailey, Thomas, and David Kennedy. //The American Pageant: A History of the Republic, 12th Edition//. 12 ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Print. Degregorio, William A.. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents, Seventh Edition (Complete Book of Us Presidents)//. 7 ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2009. Print. "James Monroe | The White House." //The White House//. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. [].