Monroe tried to prevent the war with Great Britain but was unable to do so because of unavoidable reasons. Monroe became the intelligence of the war and later acquired the position Secretary of War while maintaining his responsibilities as a Secretary of State (History Central Online, 2000).
Monroe as a President of the United States
Monroe won the 1816 presidential election because of his anti-Federalist actions and with the support of President Madison. He had good strategic choices for his Cabinet members, favoring Southerners, Northerners, and Westerners for his Cabinet. However, due to a contradiction from Henry Clay, Monroe was not able to elect a Westerner in his Cabinet (Biography of James Monroe).
Monroe's presidency was termed as an "era of good feeling" because of political talent and skills. However, everything started to turn the opposite in the following years of his term. Economic depression occurred and Monroe was unable to provide strong action to resolve his country's economic problems. Civil War also soon followed. This was undoubtedly worsened by Monroe's signing of the Missouri Compromise which states that the Missouri is a slave state and Maine as a free one (History Central Online). Although Monroe was known to be an advocate of the bill of rights, he did not take a stand to defend Missouri. This is one of the weaknesses that the people saw in him as a President.
Despite of the weaknesses that Monroe had shown in alleviating the economy of his country, as well as in defending the rights of the people of Missouri, he became successful in allowing good U.S. relationship with foreign countries. Most of the South American states were freed from the regime of Spain. and, to ensure that the independence will remain to the U.S. states, he created a
internal affairs (History Central Online). Such doctrine was called the Monroe Doctrine.
The good relationship that Monroe was able to build for U.S. And foreign countries was visible when Great Britain supported Monroe's instructions to leave the U.S. states alone and free from domination of foreign lands.
After years of service as the President of the United States, as well as a public servant being fifty years in politics, Monroe spent the rest of his life in Virginia. He was given with monetary benefits by the United States government during his retirement for the services that he had provided to the country.
A year after his wife's death, Monroe died on July 4, 1831 in New York City.
Despite of the flaws that Monroe had shown during his early years as President of the United States, specifically his inability to solve the economic problems and defend the rights of those who had been slaves, Monroe was able to show his skills and sincerity in serving his country. This was apparent in the years of political service that he gave to the United States before he had been president. Also, it was apparent when he successfully acquired the freedom of Latin America from its Spanish conquerors.
Bibliography
Winslow, Chris. Legislators, Governor Honor Monroe. http://www.monroefoundation.org/4.28.04honor.html
Biography of James Monroe.
History Central Online. http://www.historycentral.com/Bio/presidents/monroe.html
James Monroe.
The WhiteHouse Online. http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm5.html
James Monroe. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0760590.html
James Monroe. http://www.americanpresident.org/history/jamesmonroe
