#5 James Monroe- Era of Good Feelings Leader

#5 James Monroe- Era of Good Feelings Leader

Monroe held roles early on as diplomat to France (1794-1796) and to United Kingdom (1803-1808) as well as Governor of Virginia (1799-1802, 1811). During the War of 1812 he held critical roles as the Secretary of State (1811-1817) and Secretary of War (1814-1815) under Madison. He also helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

1817;

• Monroe is sworn in at the age of 58 with Daniel D. Tompkins as his V.P.
• Britain agrees to Rush-Bagot agreement
• Monroe takes a 16 week tour of New England making appearances for a sense of National unity
• Mississippi (slave) becomes the twentieth state
• Erie Canal begins construction

1818;

• Ratification of the Treaty of 1818
• Rush-Bagot agreement signed
• Illinois (free) becomes 21st state of the union

1819;

• Alabama (slave) becomes the 22nd state of the union
• The Panic of 1819 starts
• Adams-Onis Treaty resolved
• Supreme Court rules against Maryland in McCulloch v Maryland where states cannot tax federal agencies.

1820;

• Monroe signs Missouri Compromise
• Maine (free) becomes the 23rd state of the union
• Monroe wins a second term

1821;

• Monroe signs the Military Establishment Act
• Missouri (slave) becomes the 24th state of the Union
• Monroe supported the founding of colonies in Africa for free African Americans that became the nation Liberia

1822; Liberia’s capital is named Monrovia in honor of President Monroe

1823; Monroe announces the Monroe Doctrine

MONROE DOCTRINE COMIC SKETCH

1824;

• Monroe signs the General Survey Act
• Monroe signs the Tariff of 1824

1825; Monroe’s last piece of business was vetoing the Cumberland Road Bill

Monroe’s term was called the “Era of Good Feeling“ because there was little partisan fighting. With the ratification of the Treaty of 1818 and with the successful diplomacy of his Secretary of State John Q. Adams, the United States extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific, giving America harbor and fishing rights in the Pacific Northwest. The Treaty of 1819 secured the border of the U.S. along the 42nd parallel to the Pacific ocean and represented America’s first attempt at creating a global empire. Along with the previous Presidents, he was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America as well and the last President to be a founding father.

Famous quote:

“A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue.”

“Preparation for war is a constant stimulus to suspicion and ill will.”

“The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.”