John+-+JMonroe

John Villarose

James Monroe (April 28, 1758- July 4,1831)
Democratic-Republican 1817-1825 Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins Monroe’s presidency became known as the “Era of Good Feelings.” I believe that the majority of his presidency lived up to that name. Because of the improvements to the United States, I am awarding James Monroe an A. One of Monroe’s goals was to live up to the title that Washington and Jefferson set. I think this goal was met pretty well. During his two terms, five states entered the Union. His Missouri Compromise and the Monroe Doctrine are still remembered in U.S. history. Another goal was simply to keep things going as smoothly as they were when he started his first term. Aside from the short-lived Panic of 1819, which Monroe didn’t show much of a response to, he achieved his goal almost easily. He also wanted to improve the countries national reputation. This goal was achieved through the invasion and purchase of Spanish Florida and the Monroe Doctrine. James Monroe had a good relationship with Congress. The Federalist party faded, removing any political party disputes. The majority in Congress was made up of Democratic-Republicans. He kept the cabinet varied, placing northerner John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State and southerner John C. Calhoun as Secretary of War. During the presidency, he passed the Missouri Compromise, allowing Missouri to be a slave state, and he vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill, which provided for yearly improvements to Cumberland Road, because he believed it was unconstitutional. Out of the things Monroe accomplished during his presidency, his greatest achievement would most likely be the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine stated three main points: European countries couldn’t colonize in North, South or Central America, the U.S. would remain neutral in European wars and conflicts unless they interfered with American rights, and any attempts at colonization would be seen as a national threat. The doctrine helped to prove that the U.S. was an independent nation. Eventually, after being edited by Theodore Roosevelt, it went on to become the basis of the U.S. foreign policy. During his presidency, Monroe didn’t really do anything that really had a negative impact on America. The worst thing to happen during his presidency would probably have been the Panic of 1819. Although he didn’t cause it, it was the only event to have a bad effect on America from 1817-1825. Monroe’s position on this was pretty much neutral. He believed that the panic would resolve itself in time, and it did by 1823. Nevertheless, had he been a little more involved, there is a slight possibility that the panic would have ended sooner. One of Monroe’s major actions, the Missouri Compromise, had a major effect on the future of the U.S. The Missouri Compromise was the agreement that Missouri would be admitted to the U.S. as a slave state, but all states north of the 36 ° 30' north latitude line would prohibit slavery (excluding Missouri). It also declared Maine to be admitted as a free state. This compromise led to Missouri siding with the south in the Civil War. This “compromise line” began to further split the U.S. The Missouri Compromise was the first instance of Congressional exclusion of slavery from public territory since the adoption of the Constitution. Once James Monroe was finished his second term, it is easy to say that the country was better off. Because of his many achievements in the eight years that he served, Monroe deserves an A. Under Monroe, America really did undergo an “Era of Good Feelings.”

__Bibliography__

“James Monroe (1758-1831).” //Miller Center of Public Affairs.// 2008. University of Virginia. 29 September 2008. [|.

“James Monroe.” //The White House//. Washington. 29 September 2008.  “Monroe Doctrine, 1823.” U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Public Affairs. 30 September 2008. 