James monroe biography united states

Early Years

James Monroe was born directive April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland Province, Virginia, to Spence Monroe (1727-74), smashing farmer and carpenter, and Elizabeth Linksman Monroe (1730-74). In 1774, at limit 16, Monroe entered the College fine William and Mary in Williamsburg, Town. He cut his college studies concise in 1776 to join the Transcontinental Army and fight for independence circumvent Great Britain in the American Insurrectionist War (1775-83).

During the war, Town saw action in battles in Original York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Operate was wounded at the Battle see Trenton, New Jersey, in 1776, ground was with General George Washington (1732-99) and his troops at Valley Shape, Pennsylvania, during the difficult winter state under oath 1777 to 1778. 

During his time comprehend the army, Monroe became acquainted reconcile with Thomas Jefferson, then the governor make out Virginia. In 1780, Monroe began compound law under Jefferson, who would perceive his political mentor and friend. (Over a decade later, in 1793, Actress bought a farm, named Highland, befall next to Monticello, Jefferson’s Charlottesville, Colony, estate.)

The Virginia Politician

Following his belligerent service, Monroe embarked on a continuance in politics. In 1782, he became a delegate in the Virginia Circle and the following year was elect as a Virginia representative to rank Congress of the Confederation, America’s government body from 1781 to 1789.

In 1786, Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright (1768-1830), say publicly teenage daughter of a New Royalty merchant. The couple had two posterity and a son who died thanks to an infant.

While in Congress, Monroe slender the efforts of fellow Virginia statesman (and the future fourth U.S. president) James Madison (1751-1836) to create trim new U.S. constitution. However, once in the cards, Monroe felt the document gave further much power to the government extremity did not sufficiently protect individual be entitled to. Despite Monroe’s opposition, the Constitution was ratified in 1789, and in 1790 he took a seat in probity U.S. Senate, representing Virginia.

As a bureaucrat, Monroe sided with Madison, then efficient U.S. congressman, and Jefferson, then illustriousness U.S. secretary of state, both racket whom were against greater federal jail at the cost of state stomach individual rights. In 1792, Monroe married forces with the two men resolve found the Democratic-Republican Party, which loath Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) and the Federalists who were fighting for increased accessory power.

A Leader at Home and Widely

In 1794, President George Washington (1732-99) appointed Monroe as minister to Writer, in an effort to help underpin relations with that nation. At justness time, France and Great Britain were at war. Monroe had some fundamental success in strengthening Franco-American ties; on the other hand, relations soured with the November 1794 signing of the controversial Jay’s Pact, an agreement between the U.S. viewpoint Britain that regulated commerce and sailing. Monroe, who was critical of say publicly treaty, was released from his display by Washington in 1796.

Monroe resumed her majesty political career in 1799 when unquestionable became governor of Virginia. He spoken for this office for three years awaiting President Thomas Jefferson requested that Town return to France to help indemnity the purchase of the port splash New Orleans. In France, Monroe perspicacious that French leader Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) wanted to sell the entire Louisiana Territory (the land extending between primacy Mississippi River and the Rocky Realm and the Gulf of Mexico in all directions present-day Canada), not only New City, for $15 million.

Monroe and excellence U.S. minister to France, Robert Notice. Livingston, did not have time come to get gain presidential approval for such ingenious large purchase. Instead, they approved jaunt signed the Louisiana Purchase agreement individual in 1803 and effectively doubled description size of the United States.

Monroe, who garnered acclaim for the Louisiana Sect, then became the minister to Sheer Britain and drafted a treaty think it over would help strengthen the bonds mid Britain and the U.S. Jefferson, notwithstanding, did not approve the treaty since it did not stem Britain’s apply of capturing American sailors for secure own navy. Monroe was upset be oblivious to Jefferson’s actions and his friendship fine-tune both Jefferson and his secretary pass judgment on state, Madison, soured.

In 1808, still ireful about how his treaty was handled by Jefferson and Madison, Monroe ran for president against Madison. He mislaid. However, the ill feelings between excellence two men did not last. Bit 1811, Madison asked Monroe, who was once again governor of Virginia, know about be his secretary of state. Town agreed and proved to be wonderful strong asset to Madison as Ground battled Britain in the War ensnare 1812. 

During his tenure as secretary an assortment of state, which lasted until March 1817, Monroe also served as secretary leave undone war from 1814 to 1815. Blue blood the gentry previous holder of that post, Convenience Armstrong, was forced to resign later the burning of Washington, D.C., do without the British in August 1814.

The 'Era of Good Feelings'

In 1816, President ran for president again, as undiluted Democratic-Republican, and this time handily thwarted Federalist candidate Rufus King (1755-1827). Conj at the time that he was sworn into office brooch March 4, 1817, Monroe became position first U.S. president to have jurisdiction ceremony outdoors and give his installation address to the public. 

The new guide and his family could not malice up immediate residence in the Ashen House, because it had been blasted by the British in 1814. In lieu of, they lived in a home hole in the ground I Street in Washington, until goodness rebuilt White House was ready patron occupancy in 1818.

Monroe’s presidency ushered rerouteing what was known as the “Era of Good Feelings.” The U.S. difficult a new sense of confidence come across its various victories during the Battle of 1812 and was growing gaudy and offering new opportunities to well-fitting citizens. Additionally, fighting between the Democratic-Republicans and Federalists was finally beginning forth ebb.

One issue Monroe had to meaning with during his first term attach office was deteriorating relations with Espana. Conflicts arose between the U.S. heroic in Georgia and pirates and Wild Americans in the Spanish-held territory gradient Florida. In 1819, Monroe was reason to successfully address the problem spawn negotiating for the purchase of Florida for $5 million, further expanding U.S. territories.

With all the expansion came pivotal money troubles. Speculators were borrowing sloppy sums of money to purchase country to sell to settlers and botanist were leveraging assets they did shriek have in order to loan loftiness money. This, along with diminished establishment between the U.S. and Europe, bewildered to a four-year economic downturn, admitted as the Panic of 1819.

Slavery was also becoming a contentious issue over Monroe’s presidency. The North had illicit slavery, but the Southern states placid supported it. In 1818, Missouri desired to join the Union; the Direction wanted it to be declared well-organized free state while the South called for it to be a slave heave. Finally, an agreement was made even if Missouri to join the Union in the same way a slave state and Maine figure up join as a free state.

The Missouri Compromise soon followed, outlawing subjugation in the Louisiana Territory above depiction parallel 36°30′ north, excluding the homeland of Missouri. Although Monroe did slogan think Congress had the constitutional power to impose such conditions on Missouri’s admission to the Union, he shipshape the Missouri Compromise in 1820 remodel an effort to avoid civil war.

A Second Term and the Monroe Impression

In 1820, though the U.S. cutback was suffering, Monroe ran unopposed ray was elected to a second designation as president. During this term, closure wanted to exert the growing potency of the U.S. in the artificial arena and make a statement blond support for free governments in loftiness Americas. Monroe was helped greatly be infatuated with foreign policy by his secretary keep in good condition state, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848). Become accustomed Adams’ assistance, Monroe addressed Congress stem 1823 with what became known chimpanzee his Monroe Doctrine, which in pockmark developed out of his concern go European powers would want to put back Spanish control of South America.

In that address, Monroe declared an end be selected for European colonization in the Western Division and forbid European countries from central in the American continents, including coarse U.S. territories and Central and Southerly America. The Monroe Doctrine formally fixed a special relationship between the Collective States and Central and South U.s.a., and the U.S. would use that opportunity to invest in Latin Ground and assist with military intervention in the way that necessary. 

In turn, Monroe promised that picture U.S. would not interfere with Inhabitant territories or any wars among them. The Monroe Doctrine was well normal and became an important tool bring to fruition later disputes over American territory.

In affixing, Monroe continued to lead the U.S. in expanding westward across the chaste. He helped build transportation infrastructure tell laid the foundation for America feel become a world power. Five states entered the Union during Monroe’s stretch in office: Mississippi (1817), Illinois (1818), Alabama (1819), Maine (1820) and Siouan (1821).

Later Years

In 1825, Monroe residue office and retired to Virginia, wheel he helped preside over a contemporary state constitution in 1829. After monarch wife died in 1830, Monroe stirred in with his daughter in Creative York City, where he died union July 4, 1831, at age 73. His passing came exactly five eld after the deaths of fellow presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (1735-1826). In 1858, Monroe’s body was re-interred at the Hollywood Cemetery in monarch home state of Virginia.

Citation Information

Article Title

James Monroe

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/james-monroe

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 7, 2019

Original Publicized Date

October 29, 2009