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James Monroe // B. April 28, 1758 D. July 4, 1831 // // Political Affiliation: Democratic-Republican // // Term as president: March 4, 1817- March 4, 1825 // Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins

// By the time James Monroe was president, America was no longer a fledgling nation and well on its way to being an imposing republic and a player in world affairs. After repelling the British in the War of 1812, there was a swelling belief that America was a great country. The American System promised to bring about financial prosperity. The west was ripe for expansion. The ideals of nationalism that grew so feverently during this period would the glue that would keep the country together until the out break of civil war. If there was ever a time that it seemed as though our nation would endure as a union united it was under the presidency of James Monroe. Whether this can be directly attributed Monroe’s administrative and diplomatic skill is subject to debate, one cannot refute that the country thrived under his administration. Monroe’s foreign policy would endure as a prudent decision for generations to come and his domestic policies- though short sighted, helped keep America united for the next 30 years. For this James Monroe deserves a solid B for his efforts. //

// In his presidential campaign, Monroe faced virtually no competition. In the post-War of 1812 America, the old-fashioned Federalist Party was slowly falling out of favor. The Hartford Convention made the American people think of the Federalists as disloyal and non-supporters of the war. Making their position even worse, there was a three-way conflict for party nominee with Henry Clay, William Crawford, and Daniel Tompkins. The divisive schisms within the party allowed Monroe to easily take the presidency. Thus, the Era of Good Feelings was born. Monroe seized upon this opportunity. His main objective as president was to bring the nation together. He embarked on a tour of the northern states (who had not been paid a visit since any other president). He was greeted warmly in the spirit of the new era of the one-party rule. Monroe picked a personable middle of the road approach to politics wishing to win friends and bridge gaps between different demographics. Monroe’s cabinet choices also reflected his political intentions. As for his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, he picked for his beliefs in foreign affairs -concurrent with his own isolationalist tendencies. He picked John C. Calhoun as his defense secretary. While he would later defect to the seccessionalist cause under Jackson’s presidency he was a staunch nationalist and had plans to modernize the nation’s military and industry. Monroe was shaping up to the champion of American nationalism. //

// Monroe’s relation with congress was one of love-hate. Monroe was a backer of the American System, yet he vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill, which in doing so, denied congress the ability to spend government money to finance the road. He backed up his veto calling it unconstitutional for the federal government to allocate funds for such a project that the states should pay for. His decision was one of fiscal prudence and the Cumberland Road still proved a successful thoroughfare to the west. In 1819 bitter fighting erupted over the balance of slave and free states. Missouri wanted to be admitted to the Union but it’s constituents vied for slave rights. As for the Missouri Compromise that finally brought the rancor the Henry Clay must be credited. Nonetheless, Monroe signed the bill in to legislation that made newly founded Missouri as a slave state and the addition of Maine as a free state to return balance. This compromise led to short lived acceptance but eventually lead to Civil War. //

// Monroe’s ultimate blunder and triumph was his military action in Florida. Growing resentful of the bellicose Seminole Indians, Monroe dispatched soon-to-be- president Andrew Jackson to deal with the Indian presence. Indian conflict will always be a black stain on American history as white’s dealings with the indigenous peoples has always been fraught with trouble. The appointment of an anti-indian fundamentalist proved to be a blunder as the events would surely effect Jackson’s dealings with the Cherokees and later the Trail of Tears. Though, one could look at Jackson’s commission as a mixed blessing. Taking Monroe’s orders to the extreme Jackson harassed Spanish settlements later resulting in negotiations with the Spanish crown for Florida. Monroe’s ambiguous orders and Jackson’s fighting dander resulted in the acquisition of the invaluable Florida peninsula //

// It’s no secret that the Monroe Doctrine pioneered by many politicians of the time had long lasting effects in the political discourse to come with America and her foreign allies and enemies. Monroe in conjunction with Secretary of State Adams wrote the documents that would come to be known as the Monroe Doctrine. During the time of their publication, many South and Central American republics were forming. Adams and Monroe acknowledged their sovereignty and guaranteed their independence warning European nations to back off from trying to retake them. The United States also cautioned Europe against further North American colonization and in return agreed not to interfere with European dealings. The agreement was the apotheosis of neutrality and isolation. Britain down on her luck trying to control the Americas approved the doctrine. Backed by British support, America was able to discourage encroaching colonial powers like Russia and Spain from interfering with Manifest Destiny expansion. The values of isolationalism asserted by Monroe would persist for another century. //

// In conclusion, James Monroe and his presidency helped shape America into what is today geographically, domestically, and internationally. All of these things make up American nationalism. Some may argue that Monroe simply may have presided over the peaceful albeit short-lived Era of Good Feelings, but he ended his presidency with a plan for his successors to follow, especially in international isolation. Certainly the military operations in Florida were belligerent but they yielded valuable prizes. For Monroe’s presidency was not one of insatiable conquest, but instead an administration ensuring sustenance of the American ideal.

Bibliography // []

www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html

www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0760590.html