James Monroe Biography
5th President of the United States
Years Served as President: 1817-1825
Vice President: Daniel D. Tompkins
Party: Democratic-Republican
Age at Inauguration: 58
Home State: Virginia
Date of Birth: April 28, 1758
Died: July 4, 1831
Married: Elizabeth Kortright
Children: Eliza and Maria
Nickname: The Era of Good Feelings President
What is James Monroe known for?
James Monroe is best known for the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine said that the United States did not support British colonization in North or South America.
It said that colonization would be viewed as “the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.” In other words, the United States would view it as an act of war.
The Monroe Doctrine is seen as a defining moment in U.S. foreign policy.
Early Life
James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father was Spence Monroe, a carpenter and farmer. His mother was Elizabeth Jones Monroe. James was their oldest child.
As a boy, James was tutored at home by his mother. He then attended Campbelltown Academy, where he was known as an excellent student.
In 1774, 16-year-old James entered the College of William and Mary. He left college in 1776 to join the Continental Army and fight against the British in the Revolutionary War.
He became a major and fought under the command of George Washington. He was wounded at the Battle of Trenton, New Jersey and was with Washington and his troops during the difficult winter in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
While he was in the army, James got to know Thomas Jefferson, who was then the governor of Virginia. He began studying law under Jefferson and soon began a career in politics.
Political Career
In 1782, James Monroe was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. From 1783 to 1786, he served in the Continental Congress. At the time, the Continental Congress was meeting in New York.
He also held a seat in the U.S. Senate representing Virginia. He formed a political alliance with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
They believed that a strong federal government was important, but not at the cost of state and individual rights.
Together, the men founded the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalists, who wanted more federal power. It’s considered the first opposition party in United States history.
James Monroe was also a minister to France and then the governor of Virginia. He returned to France when President Thomas Jefferson wanted his help negotiating the Louisiana Purchase.
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States.
After that, James became the minister to Great Britain. In 1811, he served as secretary of state and secretary of war under James Madison.
Family Life
While James Monroe was in New York with the Continental Congress, he met and married Elizabeth Kortright.
Elizabeth and James had two daughters, Eliza and Maria. They also had a son who died as an infant.
Presidency
In 1816, James Monroe ran for president and defeated Rufus King, the Federalist candidate.
His time as president was known as the “Era of Good Feelings.” After several victories during the War of 1812, the United States was feeling confident. It was also growing and offering new opportunities to its people.
In addition, the Federalist Party was becoming so unpopular that most Americans were united in support of the Democratic-Republicans. It was a peaceful time for most of the country.
Accomplishments during James Monroe’s presidency included:
The purchase of Florida from Spain.
Admitting Mississippi, Alabama, Maine, Illinois, and Missouri to the United States.
Signing of the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that the U.S. would consider it a sign of war if a European country attacked or attempted to colonize any nation in North or South America.
With the rapid expansion of the United States, there were some economic troubles. James Monroe was still fairly popular, and no one ran against him in the presidential election of 1820.
It was during his second term that James signed the Monroe Doctrine. He also helped build transportation infrastructure and lay the foundation for the United States to become a world power.
After the Presidency
In 1825, James Monroe returned to Virginia. There, he helped create a new state constitution in 1829.
His wife Elizabeth died the following year, and James moved in with his daughter in New York City. He died in 1831 at the age of 73.
Fun Facts About James Monroe
James Monroe was the last president of the “Virginia Dynasty.” Four of the first five presidents were from Virginia.
Three of the first five presidents died on the Fourth of July. James Monroe died exactly five years after the deaths of fellow presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
His death was also the fifty-fifth anniversary of the approval of the Declaration of Independence.
James Monroe was the first president to have his inauguration ceremony outside to deliver his inauguration address to the public.
James and his family spent the beginning of his presidency in a home on I Street in Washington while the White House was being rebuilt. (It had been burnt down during the War of 1812.)
James Monroe had also run for president in 1808 against James Madison, but he lost. The men were still friends, and Madison asked Monroe to be his secretary of state in 1811.
His daughter Maria was married in the White House. Her wedding was the first to ever take place in the White House.
James Monroe is considered the last of the Founding Fathers to become president.
