James Monroe: The Era of Good Feelings
James Monroe (1758-1831), a native of Virginia, was the last President of the so-called “Virginia Dynasty“. His birth took place on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was engaged in a wide range of public duties, including his role as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, a diplomat, and a governor made him well prepared for the highest position in office as a president. He married Elizabeth Kortright on February 16, 1786, and their elegant presence graced the White House at the time of proximate national harmony.
Monroe was the fifth President of the United States. He served for the two terms of four years each; his tenure started on March 4, 1817, and ended on March 4, 1825. The period of his Presidency is recognized as the “Era of Good Feelings, ” marked by increased national pride and reduced political battle.
Monroe, as a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, managed the enlargement of the nation’s territory and established a key foreign policy doctrine. He left the world on July 4, 1831, at the age of 73. He was the third former President to die on the day of the nation’s Independence.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | James Monroe |
| Spouse Name | Elizabeth Kortright Monroe |
| Birth Place | Westmoreland County, Virginia |
| State Run For | Virginia |
| Time in Office | March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825 (8 years) |
| Terms | 2 |
| Party | Democratic-Republican |
| Age at Death | 73 |
The most enduring legacy of Monroe is the Monroe Doctrine, a historic foreign policy declaration made in 1823. It declared that the Western Hemisphere is no longer a place where Europe can come and colonize and intervene. Consequently, this doctrine established the USA as a leader of the Americas and became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for generations.
His Presidency was also marked by the acquisition of Florida from Spain and the Missouri Compromise, which addressed the contentious issue of slavery’s expansion.