Mitchell+K.+-+JM+-+FA12


 * Name:** James Monroe


 * Political Party:** Democratic-Republican


 * Term(s)****:** 1816-1824 (Two terms)


 * Vice President:** Daniel D. Tompkins (Both terms)

James Monroe's terms as President marked a significant change in the diversity of the Untied States. This period was when America began to see rifts in its "United States." One cause of this was the Missouri Compromise, which did not solve anything but allowed opposition to slavery to fester, thus creating varying viewpoints on human rights issues and further dividing America. Another diversity in the United States was not between the North and South, but the East and West. The West felt as though the federal government was favoring the coastal commerce rather than investing time into the West. This sectionalism was caused by the gray areas of the Constitution and its appointment of the right for the government to construct modes of transportation. Congress attempted to pass a bill that would solve this and Monroe used his only veto on it, thus resulting in continued diversity.
 * Thematic Context:** American Diversity

The 5th President of the United States, James Monroe deserves the rank of C- for his term as the head of the executive branch. He has earned this because of the underlying contradiction of the so-called "Era of Good Feelings." To name a few examples: the Panic of 1819 and the Missouri Compromise.
 * Thesis:**

The main goal of Monroe's first Inaugural Address was to preserve the Union and how it had developed. This was met with limited success, the Missouri Compromise was the only thing that saved the nation from a civil war over slavery. Due to the shaky balance thereafter, this goal was not completely realized.
 * Goals:**

The fact that Monroe won his first election with a vote of 183 to 34 means that most of Congress was in accordance with him. In the second election, he had gained all but one vote in the Electoral College, further proving his good relationship with Congress. The only veto he ever used was against the expansion of Western transportation. Although he passed many bills, every proposal that found its way to him was carefully considered based on its constitutionality. His term also boasted the first party unanimity in political power, meaning if he had good relationships with the Democratic-Republicans, he had favor with all of Congress.
 * Relationship with Congress:**

One positive decision that James Monroe made during his presidency was the Rush-Bagot Agreement. This disarmament agreement on the Great Lakes eased the tensions between Britain and America. These relations were further strengthened with the Convention of 1818, which clearly outlined the American-Canadian border and gave peace to many frontiersmen. Another good decision Monroe made was the Monroe Doctrine. In this he warned foreign powers to stay away from the Western Hemisphere. This had a positive outcome because it showed that as a nation, America would be willing to fight back if they believed they were being threatened and that they would be a worthy opponent. They showed this during the War of 1812 when they held their own against Britain.
 * Positive Decision:**

A negative decision that Monroe made during his term was the Missouri Compromise because it had no good effect on the country. The only outcome was deepened rifts between slave and free states. Another poor decision made by Monroe was his veto of western transportation, which also created more sectionalism.
 * Negative Decision:**

The most influential decision that James Monroe made was his doctrine. It was used by later presidents and is still today a very important doctrine in foreign affairs.
 * Influential Decision:**

The nation overall was weakened yet strengthened at the end of Monroe's presidency. It was weakened in the sense that it had been through a bad economic crisis and much sectionalism was bred. The strengthening came in the form of foreign affairs. New states had been admitted and clear lines were established between territories. Britain also invited the US into a joint declaration, which would benefit trade immensely because America would have allied with the prime naval power in the world.
 * Conclusion:**

DeGregorio, William A.. //The complete book of U.S. presidents//. New York: Dembner Books :, 1984. Print.
 * Bibliography:**