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President James Monroe

James Monroe

President James Monroe: Short biography of President James Monroe and the key events during his presidency.

Life of President James Monroe Fast Fact File
James Monroe (1758-1831), nicknamed the "Era of Good Feelings President", was the 5th American President and served in office from 1817-1825. The Presidency of James Monroe spanned the period in United States history that encompasses the events of the Evolution Era. President James Monroe represented the Democratic-Republican political party which influenced the domestic and foreign policies of his presidency that was known as the "Era of Good Feelings".

The major accomplishments and the famous, main events that occurred when James Monroe was president included the First Seminole War (1817-1818), the Missouri Compromise, the 49th parallel was set (1818), the Panic of 1819, the Santa Fe Trail was opened, the Rush-Bagot Treaty was signed, the Purchase of Florida was made via the Adams Onis Treaty and the President announced his famous 1823 Monroe Doctrine. James Monroe died from tuberculosis on July 4, 1831, aged 73. The next president was John Quincy Adams.   

Birthday: April 28, 1758

Place of Birth: Virginia

Political Party: Democratic-Republican 

Nickname: Era of Good Feelings President

Number: 5th President

Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins

Age at Inauguration: 58

Height: 6 feet

Weight: 189lbs

First Lady: Elizabeth Monroe

Religion: Episcopalian

Date of Death: July 4, 1831

Date of James Monroe Presidency: March 4, 1817 to March 4, 1825

The Nickname of James Monroe: Era of Good Feelings President
The nickname of President James Monroe provides an insight into how the man was viewed by the American public during his presidency. The meaning of the nickname "Era of Good Feelings President" refers to the euphoric feeling in the nation following America's performance in the War of 1812, aka the "Second War of independence" and its ability to be viewed as a strong and unified new nation. The meaning of his other nickname, "Last of the Cocked Hats", refers to his taste in clothes. He wore expensive clothing but was not influenced by fashion preferring to wear old-fashioned style hats that dated back years to the 1700's.

Character and Personality Type of James Monroe
The character traits of President James Monroe can be described as outgoing, charming, warm, sensitive and courteous. It has been speculated that the Myers-Briggs personality type for James Monroe is an ESTJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judgment). An outgoing, practical, realistic and civic-minded character with a strong belief in rules and procedures, placing a high value on competence and efficiency. James Monroe Personality type: Decisive, hardworking, methodical and orderly.

Accomplishments of James Monroe and the Famous Events during his Presidency
The accomplishments of James Monroe and the most famous events during his presidency are provided in an interesting, short summary format detailed below.

The Era of Good Feelings (1815-1824)
Summary of the Era of Good Feelings: James Monroe was president during the Era of Good Feelings that began with the jubilant end to the War of 1812. The Era of Good Feelings saw the emergence of National pride as the new nation began cultivating vast regions of the West due to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.New transport systems were being built and great manufacturing industries were emerging in the East.

The 'American System'
Summary of the 'American System': James Monroe was president when Henry Clay introduced the economic plan called the 'American System' to help build the new nation. The 'American System' was designed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the acquisition of the new lands in the west and to ensure that US money benefited US Citizens.

Rush-Bagot Treaty
Summary of the Rush-Bagot Treaty: James Monroe was president during the signing of the Rush-Bagot Treaty or "Rush-Bagot Disarmament" on April 16, 1818. It was an agreement between the US and Great Britain to substantially reduce their naval vessels to patrol boats on the Great Lakes  following the end of the War of 1812.

The 1818 Convention, setting the 49th parallel
Summary of the 1818 Convention - 49th parallel: James Monroe was president during the Convention of 1818 when the 49th parallel was set as the border with Canada.

Panic of 1819
Summary of the Panic of 1819: James Monroe was president during the Panic of 1819, the first Important financial crisis in the United States. The Second Bank of America extended far too much credit, then quickly restricted it, leading to runs on state banks, bank closures, and bankruptcies.

The Adams Onis Treaty - the Purchase of Florida
Summary of the Adams Onis Treaty: The Adams Onis Treaty was signed on
‎February 22, 1819 between the United States and Spain that gave Florida to the U.S. and set out a boundary between the US and New Spain (now Mexico).

Santa Fe Trail
Summary of the Santa Fe Trail: James Monroe was president when the Santa Fe Trail was opened, that covered the 900 mile route from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe.

The Missouri Compromise
Summary of the Missouri Compromise: James Monroe was president during the settlement called the 1820 Missouri Compromise was reached between the pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions on the extension of slavery into new territories.
Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine as a non-slave state at the same time, retaining the balance between slave and free states.

The Monroe Doctrine, 1823
Summary of the Monroe Doctrine:
The doctrine was delivered to Congress by President Monroe on December 2, 1823. The Monroe doctrine declared against foreign colonization, or intervention in the Americas, and the intention of the US to remain neutral in European wars.

US American History
1801-1828: Evolution Era

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Updated 2018-01-01

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