Allison+-+JMonroe

President James Monroe President James Monroe deserves an A for his presidency. He deserves this grade because of the decisions towards peace and patriotism were mostly all positive and progressive. Monroe managed to be popular with mostly all of the population, a hard task to achieve. Monroe was inaugurated during a time of prosperity, peace, and nationalism following the War of 1812. This was known as the "Era of Good Feelings". In his First Inaugural address he talks about the importance of states governing themselves. A goal of his was to ensure the states their power. Another goal was placed on education stating "Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties". His first goal of strong state governments was carried out by Monroe when he vetoed any bills that concerned building roads, bridge, etc. Giving power to the states would also allow fulfillment of his second goal considering education is a responsibility of a state government. Congress and James Monroe did not not always agree. Due to a large number of immigrants settling into the North, the House of Representatives gave the majority to the North. Northerners were commonly Federalists and in favor of a strong central government,Monroe was not. During the financial panic, caused by a damage to agriculture and manufacturing leading to a large amount of unemployment; Henry Clay proposed a system. His systems called for a protective tariff, strong banking systems and better roads canals. The first to parts of the systems were put into affect but better roads and canals were not; this was because Monroe and much of the Republican party opposed this idea. This was because he felt as though it was in the state's power to fund these things. Therefore, Monroe would veto any bill involving these funds. The most positive action made by the Monroe Administration was the Monroe Doctrine. This Doctrine involved Britain's desire for South American land, and America possibly becoming an alliance of Britain in this endeavor. Secretary of State at this time, John Adams felt this was a bad idea, and Monroe agree. In his Seventh Annual Message to Congress Monroe stated his reasons against this alliance. He explained that after so many years of conflict with Britain and Spain, finally at a peaceful state, it is best that the country not get mixed up in their situation. Monroe also did not want Britain to feel as though they would be able to colonize American soil. His statement sent to Britain gained little attention in the U.S. or oversees, at the time. Later generations reference back to it though, and see what a great example of patriotism and foreign policy it is. This was a very positive action, because consequences could have easily come from it if he had decided to join with Britain. The decisions made related to the Second Bank of the United States were the most negative made by the Monroe Administration. There was a heavy amount of lending done by western banks which forced the Second Bank of the United States to restrict their lending. This restriction led a magnitude of people in to debt, and numerous farms being foreclosed. These were factors that caused the Financial Panic of 1819. The Second Bank of the United States also made masses unhappy when the bank began to only accept specie, the gold metallic currency of the time. This upset many people in the West because they were unable to come by these coins, therefore they could not pay their debts. This along with other issues such as slavery and tariffs, caused sectional problems within America. The South, North, and West were becoming more divided. The Missouri Compromise made the biggest impact on future generations. When the state of Missouri became part of the union the issue of slavery arose. Northerners wanted it to be free; Southerners wanted it to be a slave state. The prominent contorversy was not on the salve's rights, it was on representation in Congress. The 3/5ths compromise allowed slaves to count as 60% of a person. Even with slaves not even counting as a full person, Missouri would have more representation then thought proper. To settle this issue the compromise stated that Massachusetts would become its own state, and it would be a free state; slavery was also prohibited north of the 36 degree- 30 degree line. In 1820, when the compromise was established, it was not an issue because both the North and the South gave and gained, it was also thought that people would not settle North of this line. This turned out to be a false notion, though. This compromise lasted until 1854 when it was confronted. The Missouri Compromise was a large cause leading up to the Civil War because it strongly divided the country. What people had agreed to changed as well when people did settle north of this line; this caused an imbalance that people were unhappy with. These factors helped lead to the Civil War. James Monroe left America in a good state of peace and prosperity. When Monroe left office people were content. He had stayed true and kept peace. He became an honorable reference for future generations. James Monroe acted on his morals to make progressive and peaceful decisions for America. This is why he deserves an A as president of the United States of America.
 * BORN:** April 28, 1758
 * DIED:** July 4, 1831
 * POLITICAL PARTY:** Democratic-Republican
 * VICE PRESIDENT:** Daniel D. Tompkins
 * PRESEDENTIAL SPAN**: 1817-1824 (two terms)

"AP US History- Lesson 22: James Monroe." __Hippocampus.org__. 1 Oct. 2008 . Monroe, James. "First Inaugural Address." Inauguration. Washington. 1 Oct. 2008. Monroe, James. "The Monroe Doctrine." 1 Oct. 2008.