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//Terms in Office: (Two Terms) March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1825// //Vice President: Daniel Tompkins (both of Monroe’s terms)// During James Monroe’s presidency the United States made its alliance with Britain stronger and more peaceful, which pleased the American people, and ensured the safety of America staying out of another war with Britain. This was accomplished through two agreements passed in 1818, first, the Rush-Bagot Agreement and second, the Convention of 1818. The Rush-Bagot Agreement was an agreement between the United States and Britain after the War of 1812 to demilitarize the Great Lakes. This agreement helped to keep a peaceful, neutral area between the British and Americans at the border of Canada and the United States. The Convention of 1818 was another peace agreement between the Untied States and Britain, Where American fishermen were aloud to fish certain eastern Canadian waterways. Also it changed the U.S. – Canadian border from Minnesota to the Rockies, which settled a land dispute between the Americans and the British in Canada. These two agreements greatly helped increase the relationship between the British and the Untied States. They eliminated the disputes over the land and the Great Lakes between the two countries, helping to improve the United States’ global relations.
 * __ James Monroe __**  //April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831//  //Political Party: Democratic – Republican Party//
 * Theme:** **Globalization**

James Monroe was a man who was warm, kind and had a big heart. He was for the most part a laid-back type of person but he didn’t show his feelings much. Even though he wasn’t very good at expressing his feelings people were drawn to him because of his kind nature, making him a very good president who truly cared about all the people. Overall Monroe deserves the grade of an A- for his presidency because he immensely helped the country of America grow and prosper; through improving the relationship with the British, gaining new states, and protecting America. Unfortunately Monroe doesn’t deserve and higher of a grade for his presidency because of the economic problems the United States endured, and because he made a few contradictive decisions. Monroe was a very good president, who really loved his country and people, but made a few bad decisions now and then.
 * Introduction:**

During James Monroe’s presidency he had the goal of achieving better relations with other nations, especially Britain. Britain and the United States had just ended the War of 1812 and they still had a shaky relationship, which Monroe wanted to strengthen so America did not have any enemies. Therefore Britain and America passed two huge agreements, the Rush-Bagot Agreement and the Convention of 1818. Both of these acts helped to make peaceful relations with the British people living in Canada, by neutralizing their waterways. Also, he wanted to overcome the Panic of 1819. Banking practices, and land speculation in the west caused the Panic of 1819. The second bank of the United States was created to help the economic crash but ended up hurting it more. This new bank was to create a uniform currency throughout all of America, which worked with the state banks. But these state banks started printing too much paper money and it caused inflation, which led to the economic crash. The land speculation also led to the Panic of 1819, this was when investors purchased cheap land in the west from the government that was gained during the Louisiana Purchase. These investors then held on to the land in hopes of its value raising and then reselling the land for money, but unfortunately this is not what happened. Instead, so many people had invested in the land that there was no one to purchase it and all the investors could no longer sell their land, causing them to go bankrupt. When the Panic of 1819 emerged Monroe wanted to solve the problem, but there was not much he could do. He attempted to solve the economical crisis by creating protective tariffs that helped protect American jobs, but this hurt the New England states. They hurt the New England states because they forced them to pay higher taxes on goods that they traded. Monroe also thought that it was only natural for a maturing nation to hit an economic panic and thought the United States would rebound shortly, which is why he did not do much to try and help America out of this panic.
 * Goals:**

Monroe was a very down-to-earth man who had a great relationship with Congress. He was open and warm hearted with all of Congress, and always took their ideas and suggestions into consideration. Congress was always welcome to the White House and never needed appointments to meet with him; he would even invite them to dinner sometimes. Since Monroe had such an open relationship with Congress, most all the bills he proposed were agreed to and he agreed to all but one of the bills Congress passed. He trusted all of Congress very deeply and this let Congress and Monroe have an individual, but still united relationship. Monroe did not give very harsh or firm directions to Congress, instead he trusted they would do what is best for the nation. Letting Congress have this much freedom led to a good balanced government, where no one was too over controlling. Because of Monroe’s strong relationship with Congress, the country was better off, no one opinion was ever dictated. All the men had a say in the decisions of the nation, leading to a diverse government that could easily represent all the people of America.
 * Congress:**

As the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe did many good things for his country, but wasn’t quite perfect, he made a few bad decisions. Some of the good things he did during his presidency were making better relations with Britain, gaining Florida from the Spanish, and helping improve and protect America. The Rush-Bagot Agreement and the Convention of 1818 settled the disputes over waterways on the border of America and Canada (where some of the British were). Then in 1819 Florida became part of the U.S. territory, by two major events; the First Seminole War in 1817-1818, and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819. The First Seminole War was started because of Seminole Indians and fugitive slaves in Florida were raiding Georgia, and killing residents. Since Spain was doing nothing to solve this issue, Monroe put Andrew Jackson in charge of the problem. Jackson invaded, captured, and seized the Spanish government there, even though Jackson went overboard Monroe did not punish him. This war actually led to the Spanish seeing America as a threat, knowing they could invade Florida at anytime, and led into the Adams-Onís Treaty. This treaty gave America the ownership to Florida in exchange for the U.S. paying 5 million dollars for damages done by Jackson. Monroe’s action in stopping the battle between the Spaniards in Florida and the Americans in Georgia turned into a great success of gaining a whole new state! The final and best act Monroe did, as president was the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was a message Monroe wrote to Congress warning them about the European powers and how they will try to intervene in the western hemisphere. The warning said that America was no longer an area where the Europeans could colonize or have power over. This document was used in America to guide foreign policies, and it was a huge concept that Americans had followed. Monroe did many good things in his presidency and the Doctrine was a very important one. Unfortunately Monroe also did a few bad things as president, such as making speeches that were contradictive, and he did not help America. The worst thing Monroe did was not helping the United States out of the Panic of 1819. He thought that it was just something all maturing nations go through and it would work it self out. He should have taken more action to help America through the process faster. Although there was not very much Monroe could have done at this time; he should have stepped up to try and do something instead of saying America would just get through it on its own. Also, he wanted international improvements to be made but didn’t help to improve them. Monroe encouraged the improvements of transportation in the west but believed it was unconstitutional for the federal government to construct this work. He said all building of canals and roads must be done through the state governments, but had no problem improving costal areas, and building lighthouses on the Eastern Shore. This offended the west because they felt that the federal government was building necessary improvements in other areas of the nation, and they should get these improvements for their areas also. For these reasons, Monroe was not a perfect president, but he also did many great things for the country that should be applauded.
 * Pros/Cons:**

The Monroe Doctrine greatly influenced the United States for decades after it was written in 1823. This document was focused on European powers, how they were too controlling and they would not be tolerated in America. It stated that America was no longer open to European nations, meaning the Europeans could no longer colonize in America. The Doctrine also said that the United States political system differed form Europe’s, and it would stay that way. That’s why it was considered dangerous if European systems and powers extended into the western hemisphere, because they could try to influence America’s government system. Lastly the document stated that the United States would not interfere with European affairs. This document was a big slap in the face to Europe, but it needed to be done, to ensure America’s safety, from falling back into the hands of Britain. The Monroe Doctrine affected America in the future because even though it was slightly ratified over the years it still ensured the safety of America from Europe. It provided a warning for years to come in America, reminding people of why we broke away from European ways long ago, and why it needed to be kept that way. The European ways were too strict, and gave the people little to no say in the government. That is why James Monroe wrote the Monroe Doctrine, to help future and present day Americans remember their reasons for their way of living and governing.
 * Future Impact:**

After Monroe’s presidency America was definitely better off, they gained new states, regained British relationships, and gave warnings to future generations. America was lucky to have such a warm, genuine president who truly cared for the people’s needs. He made sure most all the people were heard and that every decision was done for the best of the nation. Even though he was a little contradicting at times, and sometimes did not help the country as much as he should have, he still deserves an A- for his presidency. A lot more good things were done during his presidency then bad things, and he always had good intentions for America, he definitely helped shape the Nation into what it is today!
 * America after Monroe’s Presidency:**

**Works Citied:**

"American President: James Monroe: Domestic Affairs." //Miller Center//. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <[] >.

DeGregorio, William. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents seventh edition//. New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc., 2009. Print.

"Monroe as president: the "era of good feelings" begins - James Monroe - policy, war, election, foreign, second." //Presidents: A Reference History//. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <[] >.

"The Era of Good Feelings." //Academic American History//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <[]>.