Born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, the famous James Monroe accomplished many great things in his life. He crossed the Delaware with George Washington and studied under Thomas Jefferson. He was the 5th President and the last Founding Father.
Born to Spence Monroe and Elizabeth Jones Monroe in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1758, James was the last President in the “Virginia Dynasty” (which was named so because 4 out of the first 5 Presidents were born in Virginia.) Spence was a Scottish planter and carpenter, and Elizabeth a well-educated woman for their time, but nevertheless a housewife. She tutored James at home for a while, then in 1769 to 1774 he went to Campbelltown Academy.
After his father’s death in 1774, James enrolled at Virginia’s College of William and Mary, intending to study law, but dropped out a few months in to fight in the American Revolution. He joined the Continental Army, became an officer in 1776, and fought under George Washington in the Battle of Trenton, where he was severely injured.
After the war, James studied law with Thomas Jefferson. In 1782, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, and from 1783 to 1786 he was a member of the Continental Congress, who were then meeting in New York. While there, he met Elizabeth Kortright. They married on February 16th, 1786.
He left to practice law, and eventually became a Senator, from 1790 to 1794. Afterwards, he was sent to France as a minister until Washington summoned him back to the States. He was elected governor of Virginia, 1799-1801, and again in 1811. He negotiated the Louisiana purchase in 1803. James Monroe accomplished many things in his career before 1816.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were both backing James Monroe up in the Presidential election of 1816. Rufus King was the other candidate, from the federalist party, who had very little support. Monroe won, with 183 out of 217 votes cast.
He was re-elected in 1820, although he had no opponent, so there really was no campaign. He received all the votes, except one cast by William Plumber for John Quincy Adams.
The time during Monroe’s Presidency was called “The Era of Good Feelings.” The federalist party played hardly any part in either election, so no partisan politics really existed.
While in office, Monroe had to deal with many things, such as our countries first depression. At the time called a Panic, it began in 1819 and lasted until 1821. Monroe made moves to try and ease this Panic.
The two biggest developments that happened during his Presidency were The Missouri Compromise and the Monroe Doctrine. The Missouri Compromise was issued in 1820, and it stated that Missouri was a slave state, and that Maine was a free state. It also states that the rest of the Louisiana Purchase above Lat. 36 degrees and 30 minutes was free territory. The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1823,which stated that America would from then on be freed from all foreign interference in the countries affairs. Europeans weren’t allowed to colonize anywhere in the new world, and any other interference would be considered a hostile act upon the States.
After his Presidency, Monroe retired to Oak Hill, Virginia. When his wife died, he moved to New York City. He died on July 4th, 1831.
the problems not the problem 