JamesMonroe

Background

April 28, 1758 - July 4, 1831

Virginia plantation owner

Married to Elizabeth Kortright Monroe; 3 children

Last Founding Father to serve as President; fought in the Revolutionary War

Helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase; anti-federalist (Democratic-Republican)

The Fifth President

Monroe was chosen to run as the Democratic-Republican candidate in the election of 1816. The Federalists, whose reputation was greatly weakened by their opposition to the War of 1812, did not even officially nominate a candidate.

Rufus King ran against him but was easily defeated (won only 34 of 217 electoral votes). In 1820, Monroe ran for reelection without any opposition; the only president other than Washington to do so. Still, an elector from New Hampshire cast a vote for John Quincy Adams... which prevented a unanimous vote in the electoral college.

Era of Good Feelings

When Monroe took office, he went on a tour around the country. He was greeted by huge crowds.

Since the Federalist party had basically disintegrated, the country felt a strong sense of national unity.

The Era of Good Feelings defined Monroe’s presidency and lasted until his retirement when four candidates bitterly fought to be the new president.

Isolationism

After the excitement of the War of 1812, Monroe was happy to return the nation to neutrality. Americans turned their attention away from Europe and became interested in matters much closer to home.

On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, a priest in Mexico, spoke to a crowd of poor Indians. “My children,” he cried, “when will you recover your lands stolen from your ancestors three hundred years ago by the hated Spaniards? Down with bad government! Death to the Spaniards!”

Mexican Revolution

Hidalgo’s words inspired a revolution that lasted ten years. In 1821, Mexico finally won its independence from Spain.

Americans were excited by the “glorious spectacle of eighteen millions of people struggling to burst their chains and be free.”

Britain also supported the revolution because it would open up trade between itself and the Spanish colonies.

Independence

Two other leaders inspired the same action in South America. In 1810, a Venezuelan named Simón Bolívar launched a revolution in the north with the cry: “Spaniards! You will receive death at our hands! Americans! You will receive life!”

Jose de San Martín, a revolutionary from Argentina, led the south. By the end of 1825, the last Spanish troops had been driven out of South America.

A Dilemma

While Americans cheered Mexico on, some European leaders were not to pleased. Some began to talk about helping Spain recover its lost colonies.

In 1823, Britain asked the United States to join them in sending a message to these leaders telling them to leave Latin American alone.

Monroe asked former presidents Jefferson and Madison for advice. Should the U.S. help?

Support

Both Jefferson and Madison liked the idea of sending a warning to European countries. Jefferson wrote to Monroe that “Our first and fundamental [principle] should be, never entangle ourselves in the [fights] of Europe. Our second, never to suffer Europe to meddle with... America, North and South."

John Quincy Adams, Monroe’s Secretary of State, agreed with Jefferson but insisted that it would be more honest and more dignified for the U.S. to speak for itself.

Monroe Doctrine

In 1823, President Monroe made a speech to Congress announcing a policy known as the Monroe Doctrine. It state that the nations of North and South America were “not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” The United States would view efforts by Europeans to take over “any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.”

Reactions

Americans cheered Monroe’s message; it made them proud to see the U.S. stand up for the freedom-loving people of Latin America. One Boston newspaper wrote that if Europeans “attempt to control the destinies of South America, they will find... an eagle in the way.”

Europeans felt that Monroe’s statement was arrogant and that the U.S. had no right to tell other nations what they could or could not do in the Americas.

Good FeelingsIf we look to the history of If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or other nations, ancient or

modern, we find no example modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so gigantic, of a people so prosperous or happy.prosperous or happy.

The best form of The best form of government is that government is that

which is most likely to which is most likely to prevent the greatest prevent the greatest

sum of evil.sum of evil.

National honor is National honor is the national the national

property of the property of the highest value.highest value.

End of the Era

When Monroe’s second term was up, there was a bitter battle between the new candidates; none of them won the majority of the electoral college votes so the decision went to the House of Representatives.

They chose John Quincy Adams rather than Andrew Jackson, who had won more electoral college votes than the other candidates. Soon, new rivalries would lead to the revival of bitter political parties.

Monroe died one year after his wife and five years after Jefferson and Adams on July 4, 1831.

Of Good Feelings

President MonroeReflection

• Assessing James Monroe’s decisions as president, was James Monroe’s presidency a success? How is the nation better or worse at the end of his presidency?

• Imagine you are James Monroe’s chief advisor during his presidency, what advice would you have given him? If you were him, what would you have done differently?