History UsefulNotes / JamesMonroe

Monroe also signed the Missouri Compromise, which arose from the first major commotion over slavery in U.S. history. The Missouri Territory wanted to be admitted as a slave state, which would have upset the equal balance of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Eventually, Representative UsefulNotes/HenryClay helped negotiate a compromise that satisfied both the North and the South. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state on the conditions that Maine, up until then a part of UsefulNotes/{{Massachusetts}}, be admitted as a non-slave state and that no territory north of Missouri's southern border would be admitted as a slave state in the future, except, obviously, Missouri itself. At the time, the only American territory south of the Missouri border was present-day [[UsefulNotes/OklahomaUSA Oklahoma]] and Arkansas, so there wouldn't have been much territory left that could have been made into slave states. The Missouri Compromise satisfied both sides of the argument at the time, though it would eventually prove problematic after the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar saw a large increase in the amount of American soil south of the Missouri Compromise Line.

James Monroe (April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831) was the fifth president of the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates, serving from [[UsefulNotes/AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions, including representing his native Virginia in the Senate, being its governor twice, the American ambassador to {{UsefulNotes/France}} and, later, to [[UsefulNotes/UnitedKingdom Great Britain]], and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812.

His eight years in office are known as the "Era of Good Feelings" because, despite the number of important issues affecting the nation at the time, a wave of nationalism and unity swept the nation following the War of 1812 and the different political parties were on very good terms with each other. To help bring the nation together, Monroe went on a well-received national tour. The Panic of 1819 started during his first term, becoming one of the first serious economic crises in American history, though it ended less than five years later and the economy continued to expand. The Erie Canal began construction mere months into his presidency, and ended mere months after he left office. Monroe signed the Land Act of 1820, which lowered the price of acres in the West and played a pivotal role in increasing the population west of the Appalachian Mountains. During his presidency, five states were admitted to the Union (Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri; more on those last two later), and {{UsefulNotes/Florida}} was bought from {{UsefulNotes/Spain}} after a complicated matter involving Native American tribes along the Florida border and attacks on said tribes by General UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson. Basically, Monroe ordered Jackson to stop the Seminole tribe from Spanish Florida from attacking American soil, but Jackson went a step further and invaded Florida, angering the Spanish. Monroe wanted to avoid war, but demanded that Spain either stop the raids themselves or give Florida to the United States. Spain chose to sell Florida, largely because it was busy fighting to keep its Latin American colonies.[[note]]Technically, Spain did not ''sell'' Florida, but rather ceded it to the United States in exchange for the federal government assuming debts owed by the Spanish Crown to U.S. citizens.[[/note]]

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[ChekhovsGun Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except {{UsefulNotes/Honduras}}, the Guianas, UsefulNotes/{{Uruguay}}, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that, if any meddling needed done in the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the War of 1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

Monroe also signed the Missouri Compromise, which arose from the first major commotion over slavery in U.S. history. The Missouri Territory wanted to be admitted as a slave state, which would have upset the equal balance of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Eventually, Representative UsefulNotes/HenryClay helped negotiate a compromise that satisfied both the North and the South. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state on the conditions that Maine, up until then a part of Massachusetts, be admitted as a non-slave state and that no territory north of Missouri's southern border would be admitted as a slave state in the future, except, obviously, Missouri itself. At the time, the only American territory south of the Missouri border was present-day Oklahoma and Arkansas, so there wouldn't have been much territory left that could have been made into slave states. The Missouri Compromise satisfied both sides of the argument at the time, though it would eventually prove problematic after the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar saw a large increase in the amount of American soil south of the Missouri Compromise Line.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/james-monroe2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350: In my defense, "Quincy Adams Doctrine" simply doesn't have the same ring to it.[[note]][[DontExplainTheJoke Monroe's Secretary of State,]] UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, [[DontExplainTheJoke was the one who actually wrote the Monroe Doctrine.[[/note]]]]]]

'''James Monroe''' (April 28, 1758 -- July 4, 1831) was the fifth [[UsefulNotes/ThePresidents president]] of the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates, serving from [[UsefulNotes/AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions, including representing his native Virginia in the Senate, being its governor twice, the American ambassador to {{UsefulNotes/France}} and, later, to [[UsefulNotes/UnitedKingdom Great Britain]], and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812.

'''James Monroe''' (April 28, 1758 -- July 4, 1831) was the fifth U.S. President, serving from [[UsefulNotes/AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions. Was, at various points, a Virginia Senator, the Governor of Virginia twice, the American ambassador to France and, later, to Great Britain, and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812.

His eight years in office are known as the "Era of Good Feelings" because, despite the number of important issues affecting the nation at the time, a wave of nationalism and unity swept the nation following the War of 1812 and the different political parties were on very good terms with each other. To help bring the nation together, Monroe went on a well-received national tour. The Panic of 1819 started during his first term, becoming one of the first serious economic crises in American history, though it ended less than five years later and the economy continued to expand. The Erie Canal began construction mere months into his presidency, and ended mere months after he left office. Monroe signed the Land Act of 1820, which lowered the price of acres in the West and played a pivotal role in increasing the population west of the Appalachian Mountains. Five states were admitted to the union while he was in office (Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri; more on those last two later), and Florida was bought from Spain after a complicated matter involving Native American tribes along the Florida border and attacks on said tribes by General UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson. Basically, Monroe ordered Jackson to stop the Seminole tribe from Spanish Florida from attacking American soil, but Jackson went a step further and invaded Florida, angering the Spanish. Monroe wanted to avoid war, but demanded that Spain either stop the raids themselves or give Florida to the United States. Spain chose to sell Florida, largely because it was busy fighting to keep its Latin American colonies.[[note]]Technically Spain did not ''sell'' Florida, but rather ceded it to the United States in exchange for the federal government assuming debts owed by the Spanish Crown to US citizens.[[/note]]

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[Main/ChekhovsGun Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

Monroe also signed the Missouri Compromise, which was the first major slavery incident in U.S. history. The Missouri Territory wanted to be admitted as a slave state, which would have upset the equal balance of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Eventually, Representative UsefulNotes/HenryClay helped negotiate a compromise that satisfied both the North and the South. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state on the conditions that Maine, up until then a part of Massachusetts, gets admitted as a non-slave state and that no territory north of Missouri's southern border would be admitted as a slave state in the future, with the obvious exception of Missouri itself. At the time, the only American territory south of the Missouri border were present-day Oklahoma and Arkansas, so there wouldn't have been much territory left that could have been made into slave states. The Missouri Compromise satisfied both sides of the argument at the time, though it would eventually prove problematic after the UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar saw a large increase in the amount of American soil south of the Missouri Compromise Line.

The already-wobbly Federalist Party (the only other significant political party at the time) collapsed during the election of 1820, and Monroe basically ran for reelection unopposed, the only president to do so besides UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington. He ''still'' didn't win 100% of the vote. An elector from New Hampshire cast his vote to UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, who wasn't even running. According to UrbanLegend, this was not because of petty partisan politics, but because he felt that Washington deserved the honor of being the only man elected unanimously. That, or he was hinting that Adams could be up next as a potential candidate. In reality, the Elector in question didn't like Monroe's policies.

Monroe was generally more of an administrator than an executive; his main skill was making sure every piece of the federal government was running smoothly and doing its job rather than having to taking direct action himself. It helped that he made generally excellent appointments. He died on Independence Day (the [[UsefulNotes/JohnAdams third]] [[UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson president]] in a row to do so), terribly in debt, largely because of his ill wife. Monroe was the last president to wear powdered wigs, and he died before photography was a thing, so he's the last president to have never had a picture taken of him during his lifetime. He was also the last president elected in a year ending in "0" (1820 in this case) who left office alive until ''UsefulNotes/RonaldReagan''--164 years later! (And even he had to literally dodge a bullet to make it out of office alive.)

* EarlyBirdCameo: Appears holding the flag in "Washington Crossing the Delaware"

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[Main/ChekhovsGun Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[FamilyUnfriendlyAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

->''"James Monroe's colossal nose, was bigger than Literature/{{Pinocchio}}'s."''
-->--''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'', "The Presidents Song"

His eight years in office are known as the "Era of Good Feelings" because, despite the number of important issues affecting the nation at the time, a wave of nationalism and unity swept the nation following the War of 1812 and the different political parties were on very good terms with each other. To help bring the nation together, Monroe went on a well-received national tour. The Panic of 1819 started during his first term, becoming one of the first serious economic crises in American history, though it ended less than five years later and the economy continued to expand. The Erie Canal began construction mere months into his presidency, and ended mere months after he left office. Monroe signed the Land Act of 1820, which lowered the price of acres in the West and played a pivotal role in increasing the population west of the Appalachian Mountains. Five states were admitted to the union while he was in office (Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri; more on those last two later), and Florida was bought from Spain after a complicated matter involving Native American tribes along the Florida border and attacks on said tribes by General UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson. Basically, Monroe ordered Jackson to stop the Seminole tribe from Spanish Florida from attacking American soil, but Jackson went a step further and invaded Florida, angering the Spanish. Monroe wanted to avoid war, but demanded that Spain either stop the raids themselves or give Florida to the United States. Spain chose to sell Florida, largely because it was busy fighting to keep its Latin American colonies.

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[Main/ChekhovsGun Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[WarpedAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the UsefulNotes/WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

'''James Monroe''' (April 28, 1758 -- July 4, 1831) was the fifth U.S. President, serving from [[UsefulNotes/AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions. Was, at various points, a Virginia Senator, the Governor of Virginia twice, the American ambassador to France and, later, to Great Britain, and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the WarOf1812.

His eight years in office are known as the "Era of Good Feelings" because, despite the number of important issues affecting the nation at the time, a wave of nationalism and unity swept the nation following the WarOf1812 and the different political parties were on very good terms with each other. To help bring the nation together, Monroe went on a well-received national tour. The Panic of 1819 started during his first term, becoming one of the first serious economic crises in American history, though it ended less than five years later and the economy continued to expand. The Erie Canal began construction mere months into his presidency, and ended mere months after he left office. Monroe signed the Land Act of 1820, which lowered the price of acres in the West and played a pivotal role in increasing the population west of the Appalachian Mountains. Five states were admitted to the union while he was in office (Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri; more on those last two later), and Florida was bought from Spain after a complicated matter involving Native American tribes along the Florida border and attacks on said tribes by General UsefulNotes/AndrewJackson. Basically, Monroe ordered Jackson to stop the Seminole tribe from Spanish Florida from attacking American soil, but Jackson went a step further and invaded Florida, angering the Spanish. Monroe wanted to avoid war, but demanded that Spain either stop the raids themselves or give Florida to the United States. Spain chose to sell Florida, largely because it was busy fighting to keep its Latin American colonies.

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[Main/ChekhovsGun Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[WarpedAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

Monroe was generally more of an administrator than an executive; his main skill was making sure every piece of the federal government was running smoothly and doing its job rather than having to taking direct action himself. It helped that he made generally excellent appointments. He died on Independence Day (the [[UsefulNotes/JohnAdams third]] [[UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson president]] in a row to do so), terribly in debt, largely because of his ill wife. Monroe was the last president to wear powdered wigs, and he died before photography was a thing, so he's the last president to have never had a picture taken of him during his lifetime. He was also the last president elected in a year ending in "0" (1820 in this case) who didn't die in office until ''UsefulNotes/RonaldReagan''--164 years later! (And even he had to literally dodge a bullet to make it out of office alive.)

----

->''"James Monroe's colossal nose, was bigger than Literature/{{Pinocchio}}'s."''\\
--''WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}'', the ''Presidents Song''.

->''[[TheNameIsBondJamesBond "My name is Monroe. James Monroe.]] [[PreAsskickingOneLiner And here's a taste of the Monroe Doctrine."]]''\\
--''WesternAnimation/TheCritic''

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[{{Main/ChekhovsGun}} Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[WarpedAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt and UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

!!Tropes relating to James Monroe:

* ForScience!: UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson talked him into placing his house's kitchen under his bedroom because Jefferson wanted to see if it worked... and didn't want to risk Monticello.
* GagNose: As the Animaniacs page quote implies, Monroe did have an infamously large nose.
* HappilyMarried: Monroe and his wife Eliza were married for 44 years until her death in 1830; they loved each other deeply, and by all accounts they were seldom apart for more than brief periods of time.
* LandslideElection: Running unopposed does this.
* LastOfHisKind: last of the Founding Fathers to be president.
** Also the last president to fight on the battlefield in the American Revolution, which is why one of his nicknames is "The Last Cocked Hat."
* OnlyAFleshWound: Monroe took a Cannon Ball to the Shoulder during the American Revolution, the metal continued to expand and cool inside Monroe's shoulder
* MagnumOpus: The Monroe Doctrine.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: The Monroe Doctrine protected North and South America from any further colonization or exploitation by European powers (at least by direct means). Which is great for North and South America. For Africa and Asia, toward whom the nations with colonial ambitions turned their attentions instead...not so much.
** Note that the Monroe Doctrine didn't stop the United States ''itself'' from meddling in the affairs of South and Central American nations.
** The Missouri Compromise may have resolved the issues of 1820, but it still didn't put a definitive end to slavery: it merely said slave states could not be formed from territories north of the Missouri border. All this did was encourage the increasingly cotton-obsessed southern states to try ''everything'' - private invasions into the Caribbean and Central American nations called filibusters, occupying liberating and then annexing [[MexicoCalledTheyWantTexasBack Texas away from Mexico]], then a [[UsefulNotes/MexicanAmericanWar war with Mexico]] itself to claim more territory to the Pacific Ocean - to expand ''south'' of that line.
* UrbanLegend: The Elector who voted against Monroe did not do it to uphold tradition, but because he genuinely didn't want to vote for Monroe.

'''James Monroe''' (April 28, 1758 -- July 4, 1831) was the fifth U.S. President, serving from [[AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions. Was, at various points, a Virginia Senator, the Governor of Virginia twice, the American ambassador to France and, later, to Great Britain, and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the WarOf1812.

'''James Monroe''' (1758-1831) was the fifth U.S. President, serving from [[AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions. Was, at various points, a Virginia Senator, the Governor of Virginia twice, the American ambassador to France and, later, to Great Britain, and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the WarOf1812.

His eight years in office are known as the "Era of Good Feelings" because, despite the number of important issues affecting the nation at the time, a wave of nationalism and unity swept the nation following the WarOf1812 and the different political parties were on very good terms with each other. To help bring the nation together, Monroe went on a well-received national tour. The Panic of 1819 started during his first term, becoming one of the first serious economic crises in American history, though it ended less than five years later and the economy continued to expand. The Erie Canal began construction mere months into his presidency, and ended mere months after he left office. Monroe signed the Land Act of 1820, which lowered the price of acres in the West and played a pivotal role in increasing the population west of the Appalachian Mountains. Five states were admitted to the union while he was in office (Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri; more on those last two later), and Florida was bought from Spain after a complicated matter involving Native American tribes along the Florida border and attacks on said tribes by General AndrewJackson. Basically, Monroe ordered Jackson to stop the Seminole tribe from Spanish Florida from attacking American soil, but Jackson went a step further and invaded Florida, angering the Spanish. Monroe wanted to avoid war, but demanded that Spain either stop the raids themselves or give Florida to the United States. Spain chose to sell Florida, largely because it was busy fighting to keep its Latin American colonies.

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[{{Main/ChekhovsGun}} Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[WarpedAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as TheodoreRoosevelt and JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

Monroe also signed the Missouri Compromise, which was the first major slavery incident in U.S. history. The Missouri Territory wanted to be admitted as a slave state, which would have upset the equal balance of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Eventually, Representative UsefulNotes/HenryClay helped negotiate a compromise that satisfied both the North and the South. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state on the conditions that Maine, up until then a part of Massachusetts, gets admitted as a non-slave state and that no territory north of Missouri's southern border would be admitted as a slave state in the future, with the obvious exception of Missouri itself. At the time, the only American territory south of the Missouri border were present-day Oklahoma and Arkansas, so there wouldn't have been much territory left that could have been made into slave states. The Missouri Compromise satisfied both sides of the argument at the time, though it would eventually prove problematic after the MexicanAmericanWar saw a large increase in the amount of American soil south of the Missouri Compromise Line.

Monroe was generally more of an administrator than an executive; his main skill was making sure every piece of the federal government was running smoothly and doing its job rather than having to taking direct action himself. It helped that he made generally excellent appointments. He died on Independence Day (the [[UsefulNotes/JohnAdams third]] [[UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson president]] in a row to do so), terribly in debt, largely because of his ill wife. Monroe was the last president to wear powdered wigs, and he died before photography was a thing, so he's the last president to have never had a picture taken of him during his lifetime. He was also the last president elected in a year ending in "0" (1820 in this case) who didn't die in office until ''RonaldReagan''--164 years later! (And even he had to literally dodge a bullet to make it out of office alive.)

* ForScience!: ThomasJefferson talked him into placing his house's kitchen under his bedroom because Jefferson wanted to see if it worked... and didn't want to risk Monticello.

** The Missouri Compromise may have resolved the issues of 1820, but it still didn't put a definitive end to slavery: it merely said slave states could not be formed from territories north of the Missouri border. All this did was encourage the increasingly cotton-obsessed southern states to try ''everything'' - private invasions into the Caribbean and Central American nations called filibusters, occupying liberating and then annexing [[MexicoCalledTheyWantTexasBack Texas away from Mexico]], then a [[MexicanAmericanWar war with Mexico]] itself to claim more territory to the Pacific Ocean - to expand ''south'' of that line.

[[caption-width-right:350: In my defense, "Quincy Adams Doctrine" simply doesn't have the same ring to it.[[labelnote:*]][[DontExplainTheJoke Monroe's Secretary of State,]] UsefulNotes/JohnQuincyAdams, [[DontExplainTheJoke was the one who actually wrote the Monroe Doctrine.[[/labelnote]]]]]]

Monroe also signed the Missouri Compromise, which was the first major slavery incident in U.S. history. The Missouri Territory wanted to be admitted as a slave state, which would have upset the equal balance of slave and non-slave states in the Union. Eventually, Representative HenryClay helped negotiate a compromise that satisfied both the North and the South. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state on the conditions that Maine, up until then a part of Massachusetts, gets admitted as a non-slave state and that no territory north of Missouri's southern border would be admitted as a slave state in the future, with the obvious exception of Missouri itself. At the time, the only American territory south of the Missouri border were present-day Oklahoma and Arkansas, so there wouldn't have been much territory left that could have been made into slave states. The Missouri Compromise satisfied both sides of the argument at the time, though it would eventually prove problematic after the MexicanAmericanWar saw a large increase in the amount of American soil south of the Missouri Compromise Line.

[[caption-width-right:350: In my defense, "Quincy Adams Doctrine" simply doesn't have the same ring to it.[[labelnote:*]][[DontExplainTheJoke Monroe's Secretary of State,]] JohnQuincyAdams, [[DontExplainTheJoke was the one who actually wrote the Monroe Doctrine.[[/labelnote]]]]]]

'''James Monroe''' (1758-1831) was the fifth U.S. President, serving from [[AntebellumAmerica 1817 to 1825]], immediately after UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and before JohnQuincyAdams, and was the last of the Founding Father presidents. The third president from the Democratic-Republican Party. Before becoming president, Monroe fought in the [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution Revolutionary War]] and later opposed ratification of the Constitution because of the powers it gave to the federal government (he later changed his mind). Then enjoyed a prosperous career as a statesman, holding several positions. Was, at various points, a Virginia Senator, the Governor of Virginia twice, the American ambassador to France and, later, to Great Britain, and both James Madison's Secretary of State AND Secretary of War during the WarOf1812.

Speaking of that, Monroe is probably most well-known for proclaiming what is now known as the [[{{Main/ChekhovsGun}} Monroe Doctrine]], which was actually written by his Secretary of State JohnQuincyAdams, in 1823. For most of the previous decade, the European colonies in Latin America took up the United States' example and started to fight for their independence. By 1823, all of Latin America except Honduras, the Guianas, Uruguay, and most of the Caribbean colonies had successfully freed themselves from European control. The United States was the first nation to recognize these countries and establish diplomatic relations, and Monroe proclaimed before Congress that the United States would oppose European interference in the affairs of these newly freed countries. (Meaning that [[WarpedAesop if any meddling needed done in the western hemisphere, the U.S. alone would do it.]]) The policy, named the Monroe Doctrine, at first confused everyone, as the U.S. at the time was a [[SmallNameBigEgo dinky, third-rate power without the resources necessary to enforce the doctrine]]. However, [[TheBritishEmpire The British Empire]] quickly supported Monroe's move and announced that it would back it up with the [[BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]]. (The doctrine of non-interference was beneficial to Britain for trade reasons. Spain had maintained a mercantilist policy with regard to its Latin American colonies, severely limiting their trade with countries other than Spain, and assuring their continued independence meant that they would follow more liberal trade policies, which was good for British merchants.) The importance of Britain's approval to the Monroe Doctrine's success can not be overstated, and their support significantly helped improve relations between the two countries following the WarOf1812. This policy would eventually extend to the Soviet Union by virtue of it being in Europe. It should be noted that, as Monroe and Adams intended, the Monroe Doctrine was only meant to prevent the European powers from interfering, ''not'' as a way for the United States to dominate the Latin American nations. It would be later presidents, such as TheodoreRoosevelt and JohnFKennedy, who would invoke or add to the Monroe Doctrine to carry out their foreign policies.

The already-wobbly Federalist Party (the only other significant political party at the time) collapsed during the election of 1820, and Monroe basically ran for reelection unopposed, the only president to do so besides [[GeorgeWashington Washington]]. He ''still'' didn't win 100% of the vote. An elector from New Hampshire cast his vote to JohnQuincyAdams, who wasn't even running. According to UrbanLegend, this was not because of petty partisan politics, but because he felt that Washington deserved the honor of being the only man elected unanimously. That, or he was hinting that Adams could be up next as a potential candidate. In reality, the Elector in question didn't like Monroe's policies.

Monroe was generally more of an administrator than an executive; his main skill was making sure every piece of the federal government was running smoothly and doing its job rather than having to taking direct action himself. It helped that he made generally excellent appointments. He died on Independence Day (the [[JohnAdams third]] [[ThomasJefferson president]] in a row to do so), terribly in debt, largely because of his ill wife. Monroe was the last president to wear powdered wigs, and he died before photography was a thing, so he's the last president to have never had a picture taken of him during his lifetime. He was also the last president elected in a year ending in "0" (1820 in this case) who didn't die in office until ''RonaldReagan''--164 years later! (And even he had to literally dodge a bullet to make it out of office alive.)