Welcome to part five! This time it’s the final of the Founding Father presidents taking to the stage. Let’s dive into the administration of James Monroe:
First inauguration – 4th March 1817
Just as James Madison had been Thomas Jefferson’s chosen successor, James Monroe was Madison’s. James Monroe was inaugurated on a pleasant day in front of the Old Brick Capitol. The Old Brick Capitol was the temporary meeting place for the Congress following the burning down of the Capitol Building. Monroe was sworn in by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Visit to Boston – dubbed “Era of Good Feelings” – 12th July 1817
James Monroe was lucky enough to enjoy a generally prosperous and peaceful time in office, and it was a comment from a trip to Boston that perfectly encapsulated it. Journalist Benjamin Russell of the Columbian Centinel noted the goodwill and excitement of Monroe’s visit, and thus created the famous phrase ‘Era of Good Feelings.’ Russell’s quote remains widely used to this day to describe the Monroe administration.
John Quincy Adams becomes Secretary of State – 22nd September 1817
We’ll get on John Quincy Adams presidency next week but let’s get into his earlier career here. JQA became Secretary of State on this date. The next eight years in office saw a number of diplomatic and international victories, assisted by the strong working relationship between Adams and Monroe. JQA is commonly seen as one of the finest Secretaries of State in the USA.
Rush-Bagot Treaty is ratified -28th April 1817
The Rush-Bagot Treaty, ratified on this day, came in the wake of the devastating War of 1812. The treaty controlled American and British armaments and military vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly on the Canadian border. It was this treaty that helped create the demilitarised zone.
Fort Barrancas is surrendered – 28th May 1818
America had increased its land over the years, but there was still more to come. Fort Barrancas was in then-Spanish West Florida and was an important landmark. General Jackson led US forces which bombarded the fort until it surrendered on this day. The surrender allowed the key city of Pensacola to fall into US hands.
Treaty of 1818 is signed – 20th October 1818
Despite the Rush-Bagot Treaty having been ratified, there was more to do on borders and settlement. The Treaty of 1818 ironed out some of these issues, such as creating a boundary line on the 49 parallel north, regulated commerce and ceding land. It saw the British lose their land in the USA, though they remained strong in Canada.
Panic of 1819 begins – 1st January 1819
The United States has weathered many economic crises, but the Panic of 1819 was the very first. Prices shot up, as did unemployment, whilst property and land values fell. It was not a short-term panic, and indeed lasted for a number of years. Whilst Monroe was able to avoid blame, it still affected a large number of ordinary Americans who felt disgruntled by the system.
McCulloch v. Maryland is decided – 6th March 1819
The Marshall court decided a number of vital Supreme Court cases, and this happened once again on this date. Maryland had introduced a tax on the Second Bank of the United States, something that the bank opposed. This case went all the way to the Supreme Court after James McCulloch, the cashier of the Baltimore branch, refused to pay the tax. In the end, the Supreme Court decided that taxing the bank was unconstitutional because if Maryland did this, they could tax any number of non-government banks and identities. The decision derived from the ‘Necessary and Proper’ clause of the Constitution.
Adams–Onís Treaty is signed – 22nd February 1819
The Adams–Onís Treaty was signed on this date. One of the most significant land acquisitions of the era, it saw Florida ceded to the United States by the Spanish. Whilst Washington did have to cede some territory and pay expenses, this was a major victory. They’d wanted Florida for years and had seen lives lost in its pursuit. John Quincy Adams’ diplomacy in this matter is one of the reasons why he is so acclaimed as Secretary of State.
The Elizabeth sets sail – 6th February 1820
On a freezing cold February morning, a ship named the Elizabeth set sail for Sierra Leone. On it were a number of free blacks, missionaries and a US government agent named Samuel Bacon. The aim was to send these free blacks to their own land in Africa where they could run their own country and live their own lives. The American Colonisation Society had been founded in 1816 by a clergyman named Robert Finley. Whilst many African-Americans opposed this, some took advantage of the opportunity. Monroe supported the ACS, and the capital of Liberia would later be named “Monrovia” in his honour.
Missouri Compromise/Compromise of 1820 is signed – 6th March 1820
Slavery was still a big issue in politics in 1820, and nothing summed up the factions more than Missouri. Southerners- and those in Missouri in particular- favoured allowing a new state to have slavery. Others opposed it. In order to make everyone happy, they made a compromise that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a freed one. The Compromise of 1820/Missouri Compromise temporarily sorted the issue, but it was a band aid on a bullet wound- we’ll see more of that in later editions.
Officially re-elected – 6th December 1820
Whilst the Missouri Compromise had been controversial and the economy wasn’t great, Monroe was popular enough to enter the election of 1820 without any major opposition. When voting had ended on the 6th December, Monroe and his vice president Daniel Tompkins won easily. Monroe only lost on electoral vote, with a faithless elector picking John Quincy Adams (he was probably pretty happy four years later). Monroe now had a mandate to continue.
Military Establishment Act is signed – 2nd March 1821
Pushed by Secretary of War John C. Calhoun, Monroe signed the Military Establishment Act. This significantly reduced the military’s manpower by 40%. Such action would usually be controversial, but in peacetime, it seemed like common sense, and reflected American foreign policy at the time.
Monroe’s second inauguration – 5th March 1821
The 4th March 1821 was a Sunday, so James Monroe was sworn in by Chief Justice John Marshall on the 5th March in the House chamber of the US Capitol. The Capitol had been rebuilt and refurbished after its destruction during the War of 1812.
Missouri is added to the Union – 10th August 1821
After the chaos of its entry, Missouri finally became a state on this date. It was a slave state and would later become part of the Confederacy during the US Civil War.
Recognition of the Independent States of South America – 11th March 1822
Monroe believed in the independence of Latin America and sympathised greatly with the large anti-imperialist movement on the continent. This was a key development in American international relations, showing that Monroe favoured diplomacy over formal military engagements. It also led to the expansion of the Monroe Doctrine, and was a key part of it.
Denmark Vesey is executed -2nd July 1822
A number of slaves rebelled in the United States, something that greatly worried slaveholders and even non-slaveholders in the country. One such rebel was a man named Denmark Vesey. Vesey was a freed slave who planned a major uprising in South Carolina, a state known for its entrenched racial systems. Two loyalist slaves betrayed Vesey, who was arrested and then hanged on the 2nd July. The status quo was maintained, but rebels like Nat Turner and John Brown would continue the cause.
Monroe Doctrine is read out – 2nd December 1823
Though it was created by JQA, the Monroe Doctrine is seen as a central part of the president’s tenure and policy. The Doctrine, which covered international policy, had four major tenets: the United States would not interfere or become involved with European wars; recognise and would not interfere with existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere; the Western Hemisphere could not be colonised and any European attempts to colonise or control areas of the Western Hemisphere would be a sign of antagonism towards the United States. The Monroe Doctrine essentially divided Europe and the Americas, creating an isolationist policy towards the former and a globalist approach to the later. The isolationist policy created by the Monroe Doctrine would continue on well into the 20th century, encouraging late entry into WWI and WWII.
Gibbons v. Ogden is decided – 2nd March 1824
Gibbons v. Ogden, decided on this date, was another landmark decision by the Marshall Court. The court ruled that the government had the right to regulate interstate commerce, navigation and travel. Despite this, it gave freedom to do so. Nevertheless, it allowed the government to hold onto and even increase its regulatory power over the centuries.
General Survey Bill is signed – 30th April 1824
With the Gibbs v. Ogden decision giving the government greater power, Monroe decided to use it. He signed the General Survey Bill on this date. This bill gave the government power and means to map routes that could be used to create roads and canals of ‘national importance.’ The bill would be used to create major infrastructure projects such as the Chicago Road.
Tariff of 1824 enacted – 22nd May 1824
The Panic of 1819 had scared enough people into supporting tariffs. The Tariff of 1824, enacted on this date, was designed to support American industries such as cotton and iron. Whilst many in the North supported it, the South was up in arms, as they needed foreign markets for its key export of cotton. Despite Southern anger, the Tariff passed. The South was furious, seeing this as an attack against his way of life. Such anger would only increase.
Anderson-Gual Treaty is signed – 3rd October 1824
As the United States pulled away from Europe, it moved closer to Latin America. The Anderson-Gual Treaty, signed on this date, is an example of that. Also known as the General Convention of Peace, Amity, Navigation, and Commerce, it granted most-favoured status and a reciprocal trade agreement with Gran Colombia (encompassing parts of modern day Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Guyana). This was the first reciprocal treaty with another American nation, and showcased a new era in American policy.
Concedes to Native American removal west of the Mississippi – 1st January 1825
Government-Native relations remained low. Whilst the Indian Removal Act was signed by Andrew Jackson and enacted under Martin Van Buren, this concession was the precursor to it. It did absolutely nothing to stop either attacks by or against Natives, and problems faced by white settlers. Issues would remain for years.
Russo-American Treaty goes into effect – 12th January 1825
The Russo-American Treaty went into effect on this day. It gave Russia claims below the 54 degree 40 parallel, essentially what is Oregon today. The treaty also discussed navigation and commerce, as well as where American and Russians could go with or without permission. The treaty predated the purchase of Alaska by decades.
Leaves Office – 4th March 1825
After two terms in office, James Monroe left office, handing the keys to the White House over to Secretary of State John Quincy Adams- though that had been a contentious election. Monroe retired to Virginia, where he lived a generally active life. He remained on good terms with old friends Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Quincy Adams, but financial problems saw him sell off his plantation, Highland. Jefferson’s daughter and Madison’s wife also had to sell Monticello and Montpelier respectively off after their deaths due to debts. After his wife died, Monroe moved to New York City to live with younger daughter Maria. Monroe died on the 4th July 1831, leaving a generally well-respected legacy in his wake.
That’s it for James Monroe. Tune in next week for John Quincy Adams, in which we’ll see him deal with boundaries, economics and Andrew Jackson being a thorn in his side.
