James Monroe (1758–1831) was the fifth President of the United States, serving from 1817 to 1825. A leading figure of the Democratic-Republican Party, he is best known for the Monroe Doctrine and guiding a period of national unity and westward expansion.
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.
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
Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.
Showing 12 of 46 entries.
On 1825-02-12, William McIntosh and several Lower Creek chiefs signed the Second Treaty of Indian Springs, ceding large tracts of Creek land in Georgia to the United States.
On February 9, 1825, the U.S. House of Representatives, voting under the 12th Amendment, chose John Quincy Adams as President after no candidate received an electoral college majority in the 1824 election.
On December 1, 1824, state electors met and cast their Electoral College ballots: Andrew Jackson 99, John Quincy Adams 84, William H. Crawford 41, and Henry Clay 37.
President James Monroe signed the Tariff of 1824, a protective tariff that raised duties on a range of imported manufactured goods.
On April 17, 1824 the United States and the Russian Empire signed the Russo-American Treaty (Treaty of St. Petersburg), fixing the boundary of Russian possessions in North America at latitude 54°40′ north and addressing navigation and fishing rights.
Secretary of War John C. Calhoun established the Office of Indian Affairs within the War Department to centralize management of federal Indian policy.
Monroe signed the General Survey Act (approved March 2, 1824), authorizing the federal government to survey routes for roads and canals of national importance.
The U.S. Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that the federal government has authority to regulate interstate commerce and struck down a New York steamboat monopoly.
On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe delivered his annual message to Congress, declaring that the Western Hemisphere should be free from future European colonization and that European interference in the affairs of independent American nations would be viewed as hostile to U.S. interests.
President James Monroe delivered his annual message to Congress outlining the state of the Union and his administration's domestic and foreign policy priorities for the coming session.
On September 7, 1822, Prince Dom Pedro declared Brazil's independence from Portugal after the 'Cry of Ipiranga' near São Paulo.
On July 26, 1822 Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín held a confidential meeting in Guayaquil to discuss the liberation and political future of Peru and the wider struggle for South American independence.