Dan+R.+-+JM+-+SP10




 * James Monroe**
 * Birth**: April 28, 1758
 * Death**: July 4, 1831
 * Polictical party**: Democratic-Republican
 * Terms**: 2 (1817-1825)
 * Vice President**: Daniel D. Tompkins (1817-1825)

As the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe deserves an A-. Monroe had many great accomplishments as president: the Monroe Doctrine, the Missouri Compromise, and the acquisition of Florida. Monroe did not hadle the Panic of 1819 as well as he should have. Also, one of the distinctive advantages of Monroe admistration was his strong cabinet that supported him.
 * Thesis**

One of Monroe's major goals was to build up the nation's military and naval forces for protection. Monroe acted quickly and his goal was accomplished, but at a large price. Also, Monroe wanted to promote that the raw materials produced in the United States be traded or purchased within the nation. He wanted to create an economy that did not have to rely on other nations but an economy that would sustain itself. Another goal was to improve or create new canals and roads for better transportation. This was also an effort to help trade within the states by lessening travel time and costs. Many canals and roads were built, but there was not a national route/highway system created to connect the nation together for faster trade.
 * Goals**

Monroe's relationship with Congress was good because of the support he had. Not once in either the house or the senate was the opposing party the majority. One of the major issues that came up was the Missouri Compromise. Congressman James Tallmadge came up with admendment were Missori would only be admitted into the union as a free state; even though there were slaves in the territory. In Tallmadge's admendments were special restrictions to admit Missouri as a state into the Union. Monroe spoke out not just aganist the Tallmadge admendments but aganist any special restrictions to admit any state and he would veto the bill if passed as unconstitutional. Monroe could feel the tension of the union in congress as they disputed the issue and he worked with congress to support a compromise. A compromise was settled as Missouri would be admitted as a slave state as well as Maine as a free state to maintain balance. Also, slavery in western territories above the 36/30' north latitude line would be outlawed and the slavery would be allowed in states below the 36/30' north latitude line. Monroe was very succesful with congress because he kept the union intact over this heated dispute over slavery.
 * Relationship with Congress**

The most positive action for Monroe and his administration was the Monroe Doctrine. This Doctrine helped support the new independent nations being formed in the western hemisphere. Not only did this help the new nations out with military support, but also gave them the opportunities to expand their newly formed nations. Also, the doctrine helped take away foreign influence so the new nations could think for their own and form their own cultures. The biggest negative in Monroe's presidency had to be how poorly he handled the panic of 1819. Monroe pretty much let the economic problems of the United States work out by itself. He did not try hard enough to fix the problem short term. But he did support the policy of relaxing on the payment terms on mortgages for lands purchased from the federal government, proposed by Secretary of Treasury William Crawford. Monroe believed that the depression was caused by the maturing of the nation's economy.
 * Positve action/negitive action**

The Monroe Doctrine was the most influential doctrine that came from Monroe adminstration. This was used by many presidents that followed Monroe, such as Herbert Hoover and John F. Kennedy. The Monroe Doctrine was put in place when Spain was discussing with other European nations about attempting to regain control over their colonies. The Doctrine was to let the European nations know that they were not to colonize the western hemisphere because the land was now for the new independent nations. Also, if the European nations tried to reestablish colonies; it would be looked as an aggression towards the United States. This helped stop the influence of the European nations in the new world. Plus, the doctrine also helped to seperate the new world from the old world.
 * Influnce on future presidents**

The nation was better off while James Monroe was the president. He made decisions and compromises that were beneficial to the nation. He kept the union intact instead having the nation divided into two. Even though Monroe could have handled the panic of 1819 better, he did an excellent job. He created the Monroe Doctrine that has been used by presidents that followed in his footsteps. As I stated above, Monroe deserves an A- as president of the United States.
 * Conclusion**

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