James Monroe - 5th U.S. President (1817-1825)

President Details

President Number: 5
Years in Office: 1817 - 1825
Term Dates: March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
Vice President(s): Daniel D. Tompkins

Legacy Summary

Monroe left a lasting mark on U.S. foreign policy: his 1823 Monroe Doctrine warned European powers against new colonial ventures in the Americas and asserted a growing American sphere of influence. He also secured Florida through the Adams–Onís Treaty and settled boundary issues with Britain, reinforcing U.S. territorial claims.

Domestically, Monroe presided over the Era of Good Feelings, a time of relative political harmony after the Federalist decline, but his administration also faced rising sectional tensions over slavery highlighted by the Missouri Compromise. His presidency advanced national infrastructure and westward settlement while leaving complex challenges over union and slavery for future leaders.

Notable Actions

Proclaimed the Monroe Doctrine (1823) asserting opposition to European colonization; Negotiated the Adams–Onís Treaty (1819) securing Florida for the United States; Presided over the Missouri Compromise (1820) managing sectional tensions over slavery; Guided the Era of Good Feelings, marked by one-party dominance and nationalistic sentiment; Concluded the Convention of 1818 with Britain, establishing the 49th parallel and joint Oregon occupation; Appointed John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State, shaping U.S. foreign policy

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 46 entries.

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Execution of Denmark Vesey and suppression of alleged Charleston slave conspiracy

July 2, 1822 • James Monroe

Crisis Response

Execution of Denmark Vesey and suppression of alleged Charleston slave conspiracy

Denmark Vesey, a prominent free Black in Charleston, South Carolina, was executed on July 2 after trials that convicted him and others of planning a large slave insurrection, and additional conspirators were punished by local authorities.

Congressional act establishes the Territory of Florida (signed into law)

March 30, 1822 • James Monroe

Domestic Policy

Congressional act establishes the Territory of Florida (signed into law)

On March 30, 1822, an act of Congress signed into law organized the newly acquired lands as the Territory of Florida, creating a territorial government framework and enabling presidential appointment of officials.

Missouri Admitted to the Union as the 24th State

August 10, 1821 • James Monroe

Legislation

Missouri Admitted to the Union as the 24th State

Congress approved and the nation recognized Missouri's admission to the Union, making it the 24th state on August 10, 1821.

United States takes formal possession of West Florida at Pensacola

July 17, 1821 • James Monroe

Foreign Policy

United States takes formal possession of West Florida at Pensacola

Following the Adams–Onís Treaty, U.S. authorities formally accepted Spanish cession of West Florida with the raising of the U.S. flag at Pensacola on July 17, 1821.

United States takes formal possession of East Florida at St. Augustine

July 10, 1821 • James Monroe

Foreign Policy

United States takes formal possession of East Florida at St. Augustine

Under terms of the Adams–Onís Treaty, U.S. forces formally took possession of East Florida at St. Augustine on July 10, 1821.

Battle of Carabobo — Bolívar defeats Spanish royalists

June 24, 1821 • James Monroe

Foreign Policy

Battle of Carabobo — Bolívar defeats Spanish royalists

On June 24, 1821, Simón Bolívar's republican forces won a decisive victory over Spanish royalist troops at the Battle of Carabobo near Valencia, effectively securing Venezuelan independence in the field.

Monroe delivers second inaugural address

March 5, 1821 • James Monroe

Speech

Monroe delivers second inaugural address

James Monroe delivered his public second inaugural address at the start of his second term, outlining his administration's priorities and themes of national unity.

James Monroe privately takes the oath of office for his second term

March 5, 1821 • James Monroe

Election / Transition

James Monroe privately takes the oath of office for his second term

Because March 4, 1821 fell on a Sunday, President James Monroe took the oath of office for his second term in a private ceremony on March 5, 1821.

Seventeenth United States Congress convenes

March 4, 1821 • James Monroe

Election / Transition

Seventeenth United States Congress convenes

The Seventeenth Congress convened on March 4, 1821, beginning its session at the start of Monroe's second presidential term.

March 4, 1821 • James Monroe

Election / Transition

Second presidential term legally begins

James Monroe's second four-year term officially began on March 4, 1821, the constitutional start date for the new term even though the oath was deferred because March 4 fell on a Sunday.

Supreme Court decides Cohens v. Virginia

March 2, 1821 • James Monroe

Judicial

Supreme Court decides Cohens v. Virginia

In Cohens v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, held that the Court had authority to review state criminal convictions when federal issues were involved.

Senate ratifies the Adams–Onís Treaty ceding Florida to the United States

February 22, 1821 • James Monroe

Foreign Policy

Senate ratifies the Adams–Onís Treaty ceding Florida to the United States

On 1821-02-22 the U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to the Adams–Onís Treaty (1819), approving terms under which Spain ceded Florida to the United States.

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