James Monroe was a significant figure in many ways in the formation of the United States. As the fifth president, the last of the “Virginia Dynasty,” and the last founding father to serve as president, Monroe is definitely a significant historical figure. Monroe did many things for America, such as his major role in establishing the young United States, his foreign assignments, and his achievements as a president. The question still remains though, is James Monroe truly a significant American president? Monroe was born in Virginia in 1758, and served in the Continental Army in 1776. During his tenure with the army Monroe became friends with Thomas Jefferson, and ended up learning law and politics under him. After his time in the war was over,
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His second campaign for president was won easily in 1816 as a Democratic-Republican candidate, beating Rufus King, a Federalist. In his first term Monroe successfully negotiated the purchase of Florida from Spain for five million dollars. Although the American people saw the rapid expansion of American territory as good, it caused the Panic of 1819. Banks were loaning money they did not have to speculators that wanted to sell land to settlers, and this combined with a decrease in transatlantic trade caused an economic crisis. Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Preceding this agreement, Missouri joined the Union as a slave state for the South, and Maine joined as a free state for the North. After those two states joined the Union, the agreement was signed, which outlawed slavery at a parallel in the Louisiana territory at a certain point and above, excluding the state of Missouri. Monroe easily won a second term as president, due in part to the fact that he was unopposed. In 1823 he addressed Congress with the Monroe Doctrine, in which he told European powers that they were not allowed to colonize the Americas any longer, or interfere in any of their domestic issues. In turn, he also promised that America would stay out of European territories or any wars among their territories. This doctrine created an official relationship between North, South, and Central America. During Monroe’s time as president, five states entered the Union: Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri. Monroe had a productive time as president. He solidified America as a world power, he helped grow America, and he built much needed relationships
His second campaign for president was won easily in 1816 as a Democratic-Republican candidate, beating Rufus King, a Federalist. In his first term Monroe successfully negotiated the purchase of Florida from Spain for five million dollars. Although the American people saw the rapid expansion of American territory as good, it caused the Panic of 1819. Banks were loaning money they did not have to speculators that wanted to sell land to settlers, and this combined with a decrease in transatlantic trade caused an economic crisis. Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820. Preceding this agreement, Missouri joined the Union as a slave state for the South, and Maine joined as a free state for the North. After those two states joined the Union, the agreement was signed, which outlawed slavery at a parallel in the Louisiana territory at a certain point and above, excluding the state of Missouri. Monroe easily won a second term as president, due in part to the fact that he was unopposed. In 1823 he addressed Congress with the Monroe Doctrine, in which he told European powers that they were not allowed to colonize the Americas any longer, or interfere in any of their domestic issues. In turn, he also promised that America would stay out of European territories or any wars among their territories. This doctrine created an official relationship between North, South, and Central America. During Monroe’s time as president, five states entered the Union: Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine, and Missouri. Monroe had a productive time as president. He solidified America as a world power, he helped grow America, and he built much needed relationships