Kevin Dinicola Period 5

Thesis James Monroe contributed to the development of the United States –Diplomatically by: Establishing important foreign policies such as the Monroe Doctrine and the Adams-Onís Treaty –Politically by: Ushering in the “Era of Good Feelings” and enacting domestic policy regarding sectionalism –Economically by: Managing the ensuing depression and the “American System”

Background of James Monroe ( ) Continued the “Virginia Dynasty” Served as a minister to France Was involved in the purchasing of the Louisiana Terr. Not a distinguished president Served two terms The American Pageant p. 242

DIPLOMATIC ISSUES Foreign Relations and Policies

Adams-Onís Treaty Also Florida Purchase Treaty Spain’s troops were crushing revolutions in South America Andrew Jackson acquired permission to enter Florida to punish Indians & Slaves using Florida as a refuge Spanish ports seized

Adams-Onís Treaty Monroe and Cabinet were dismayed by Jackson’s actions Decided to use this opportunity to gain Spanish Florida (and some areas of land in Oregon) United States paid $5,000,000 in American claims against the Spanish Cont.

Cession of Florida

Monroe Doctrine British offer alliance to U.S. to stop future colonization of the Americas –U.S. refused this offered alliance Monroe issued warning to European powers: Noncolonization and nonintervention Concerned with developing regions in Latin America Didn’t want foreign monarchial governments in the Americas

Monroe Doctrine European powers were angered at Monroe’s Doctrine –Held to Monroe Doctrine anyways Mainly for defense against future invasion of U.S. –Protection for new Latin American was secondary concern Seldom invoked Cont.

POLITICAL ISSUES Political Parties and the Slavery Question

The “Era of Good Feelings” Reflected the Democratic-Republican party’s gain of control James Monroe won election in landslide against federalists Applies to the administrations of Monroe Was abruptly interrupted –Panic of 1819

Problems with Sectionalism North and South divided by slavery –Equal free and slave states, equal power in Senate Missouri wanted to enter the Union as slave state –Imbalance of power would be created Restrictions on Missouri slave trade could be placed to maintain a balance Resolved by Missouri Compromise

Missouri Compromise Missouri entered Union as an unrestricted slave state Maine entered as free state Mason-Dixon line divided the North and South for future free and slave states, respectively James Monroe himself tried to avoid debating this issue with Congress

North vs. South

ECONOMIC ISSUES Economic Crisis and Development

Panic of 1819 Interrupted Monroe’s “Era of Good Feelings” First American economic depression Among other things, was caused by over speculation of the unsettled land to the west Lasted only a few years. A temporary setback –Remedied by proper legislation and creation of new states

The “American System” Proposed by Henry Clay Government should fund the construction of interstate roads & canals and increase tariffs on imported goods to protect American business Monroe disliked the American system –Didn’t believe Congress had power to do this

The “American System” Monroe disagreed with first part of Clay’s System –Voted bills passed by Congress Monroe agreed part of the “American System” –Tariffs passed in 1818 and 1824 on imported goods to protected budding businesses and manufacturers in America Cont.