Monroe, James (1758-1831), is best remembered for the Monroe Doctrine, proclaimed in 1823. This historic policy warned European countries not to interfere with the independent nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Monroe became president after more than 40 years of public service. He had fought in the Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783). During the first years after independence, he had served in the Virginia Assembly and in the Congress of the Confederation. He later became a United States senator; minister to France, Spain, and the United Kingdom; and governor of Virginia. During the War of 1812, he served as secretary of state and secretary of war at the same time.
In appearance and manner, Monroe resembled his fellow Virginian, George Washington. He was tall and rawboned, and had a military bearing. His gray-blue eyes invited confidence. Even John Quincy Adams, who criticized almost everyone, spoke well of Monroe.
At his inauguration, Monroe still wore his hair in the old-fashioned way, powdered and tied in a queue at the back. He favored suits of black broadcloth with knee breeches and buckles on the shoes. To the people, he represented the almost legendary heroism of the generation that led the country to independence.
As president, Monroe presided quietly during a period known as "the era of good feeling." He looked forward to America's glorious future, the outlines of which emerged rapidly during his presidency. The frontier was moving rapidly westward, and small cities sprang up west of the Mississippi River. Monroe sent General Andrew Jackson on a military expedition into Florida that resulted in the acquisition of Florida from Spain. Rapidly extending frontiers soon caused Americans to consider whether slavery should be permitted in the new territories. The Missouri Compromise "settled" this problem in the Louisiana Purchase area by setting definite limits to the extension of slavery there.
