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James Monroe Born: April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, VA Died: July 4, 1831 in New York City, New York Political Party: Democratic Republican Terms: 1817-1821 and 1821-1825 Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins (1817-1825)

If James Monroe were to receive a grade for his presidency and administration, he would receive an A. He would get an A because America prospered as a country during his presidency and his foreign and domestic dealings were outstanding. Monroe's promotion of the Era of Good Feelings and his ability to steer America through the Panic of 1812 are also contributing reasons to the well deserved grade of Monroe.

The main goals that Monroe set for his presidency were to create greater state unity and end or diminish party rivalry. To promote greater nationalism and state unity, Monroe went on three goodwill tours through each section of the states. He went on a tour through the northern states, on through the middle states or Chesapeake Bay area, and one through the southern and western states. Another big role of Monroe was to establish American independence in the form of manufacturing and industry. Monroe did not want America to buy heavily and rely upon Britain's cheap goods. He believed that since America has all the raw materials to be self-sufficient, it should be.

Monroe's relationship with Congress was for the most part very peaceful and well off. The majority in Congress at the time was Democratic-Republicans. This meant that the President and Congress had relatively the same views due to their sharing of the same politcal party. With this relationship in place, Monroe backed Congress on many decisions, there was only one vet, and Congress passed most of Monroe's legislatures.

It would have to be said that the most positive decision Monroe made in office was the Missouri Compromise. When Missouri wished to join the Union as a slave state, it was concluded that this would tip the legislative balance between the North and South. Congress decided to issue a compromise, the Missouri Compromise. This compromise allowed Maine to enter the Union as a free state, which then allowed for Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state. Another term of the compromise was the prohibition of territories, acquired in the Louisiana Purchase, above the 36/30' latitude line to be slave states. Monroe agreed with this compromise and signed the bill. This decision can be looked at as very positive because it kept the legislation between the North and South balanced and also expanded the Unions.

The decision Monroe's administration made that had the most negative outcome was the movement to more conservation policies by the Bank of the United States. This decision led to many disasterous results. Banks failed, mortgages were foreclosed, increase in unemployment throughout America, and the manufacturing and agricultural industries were impaired. Secretary of Treasury, William Crawford, devised a policy which would relax terms of payments for land purchased from the national government. Monroe backed the policy that Crawford devised. Even though Monroe and his administration were able to steer through the depression, it was still a poor choice in policy and had horrific outcomes.

The decision that had the most influence on future generations, presidencies, and administrations was the Monroe Doctrine. During Monroe's annual speech to Congress he adressedEuropean powers and warns them not to interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. He stated the the United States would not tolerate further colonization from Europe and that European powers were to respect the interest of the Western Hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine was invoked numerous times. For example in 1865 when the United States government supported Benito Juarez in his struggle and in 1962 during John F. Kennedy's presidency when missile launching sites were built in Cuba. These specific examples show the influence that the Monroe Doctrine had on future generations and administrations.

After Monroe's run at President, the country was much better off than before. Due to Monroe's successes such as the Missouri Compromise, the Monroe Doctrine, his goodwill tours, and his popularity among the people, Monroe deserves a very high grade. Faults such as the Panic of 1819, even though he pulled America through that, it was still his decision which made the Panic come to head, brought down his grade from a perfect score.

Bibliography:

"American President: James Monroe: Domestic Affairs." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <[]>.

"The Complete Book of Presidents" William A. DeGrreorio "James Monroe." //The White House//. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. <[]>.

"Missouri Compromise: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)." //Library of Congress Home//. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <[]>.