James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States. This "Era-of-Good-Feeling President" wore the last cocked hat. While in office this President presented the Monroe Doctrine, which in essence told the European Powers of the era to stay out of the Americas. It was also during this period that Monroe resided over the Missouri Compromise. Below you will find information and resources about Monroe, his life, and his time while in office of the President of the United States.
Time in Office:
March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1825
Events while in Office:
1818
Congress fixed the number of stripes on the U.S. flag at 13 to honor the original colonies, April 4.
Anglo-American Convention set the 49th parallel as the border with Canada.
1819
Florida ceded by Spain to the United States on February 22. In exchange the U.S. cancelled $5 million in Spanish debts.
1820
The Missouri Compromise, forbade slavery above 36 degrees 30 minutes latitude.
Monroe reelected.
1823
On December 2, Monroe Doctrine delivered to Congress.
Presidential Facts:
- Monroe was the first president to ride on a steamboat.
- At sixteen years old, Monroe attended the college of William and Mary.
- He was the first president to have been a U.S. senator.
- In the election of 1820 Monroe received every electoral vote except one. A New Hampshire delegate wanted Washington to be the only president elected unanimously.
- Monroe's inauguration in 1817 was the first to be held outdoors.
- The bride in the first White House wedding was Monroe's daughter.
- The U.S. Marine Band played at Monroe's 1821 inauguration and at every inauguration since.
Source: Potus
Articles About This President:
Rise of the New West Chapter X The Missouri Compromise (1819-1821)
Presidential Documents:
Internet Resources:
- Monroe Biography at the White House website.
- Monroe Resources at the Miller Center, American President Website.
- Papers of James Monroe at the University of Mary Washington.
- Monroe Papers at the Library of Congress
- The Monroe Doctrine
- Ash Lawn-Highland Monroe's Home