James Monroe (United States Presidents)

United States Presidents

James Monroe

Anne Welsbacher ABDO Publishing Company

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visit us at www.abdopub.com Published by Abdo Publishing Company 4940 Viking Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55435. Copyright © 1998 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States. Cover and Interior Photo credits: Corbis-Bettmann, Archive Photos, AP/Wide World, SuperStock Edited by Lori Kinstad Pupeza Contributing editor Brooke Henderson

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Welsbacher, Anne, 1955James Monroe / Anne Welsbacher. p. cm. -- (United States presidents) Includes index. Summary: Profiles the early life, career, family, and contributions of the fifth president of the United States. ISBN 1-56239-810-5 1. Monroe, James, 1758-1831--Juvenile literature. 2. Presidents--United States-Biography--Juvenile literature. [1. Monroe, James, 1758-1831. 2. Presidents.] I. title. II. series: United States presidents (Edina, Minn.) E372.W45 1998 973.5’4’092--dc21 [b] 98-10137 CIP AC

Contents Meet James Monroe............................................ 4 Early Years ........................................................ 10 College and War................................................ 12 Friends and Family ........................................... 14 The Making of the 5th United States President .................................. 16 James the Diplomat........................................... 18 War and Peace................................................... 20 President Monroe .............................................. 22 Oak Hill ............................................................ 26 James Monroe ................................................... 28 Glossary ............................................................ 30 Internet Sites ..................................................... 31 Index ................................................................. 32

Meet James Monroe James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States. He was one of the last of the people who helped America become a new country. He is famous for making a speech called the Monroe Doctrine. James Monroe’s life was filled with politics, war, and a successful presidency. As a boy, James Monroe liked to hunt and ride horses. He went to college in Virginia. After college, James Monroe fought in the American Revolution. He met Thomas Jefferson from Virginia. James Monroe helped make new laws for the state of Virginia. He worked as a lawyer. He also visited the western United States. Later, James Monroe and Elizabeth Kortright were married. They had three children and a happy marriage.

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James Monroe, the 5th president of the United States.

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James Monroe traveled to Europe to try to make the U.S. better friends with other countries. He did not do very well in France or England. James Monroe became governor of Virginia. Then he was secretary of state. He was also secretary of war during the War of 1812. James Monroe was elected president of the United States. People liked him. This time was called “the era of good feeling.” In his Monroe Doctrine, James Monroe told Europe if they did not fight in the Americas, the U.S. would not fight in Europe. The Monroe Doctrine is still remembered today. James Monroe was president for two terms. Then he and Elizabeth went home to Virginia. James Monroe died July 4, 1831.

Opposite page: James Monroe was governor of Virginia.

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James Monroe (1758-1831) Fifth President BORN: PLACE OF BIRTH: ANCESTRY: FATHER: MOTHER: WIFE: CHILDREN: EDUCATION: RELIGION: OCCUPATION: MILITARY SERVICE: POLITICAL PARTY:

April 28, 1758 Westmoreland County, Virginia Scotch Spence Monroe (?-1774) Elizabeth Jones Monroe (?-1773) Elizabeth Kortright (1768-1830) Three: one boy, two girls Parson Campbell School; College of William and Mary Episcopalian Lawyer, senator, diplomat Officer in Third Virginia Regiment and Continental Army (1776-1779) Democratic-Republican

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OFFICES HELD:

Military Commissioner for Southern Army; Member of Governor Jefferson’s Council; Member of Virginia Legislature; Representative to Continental Congress; U.S. Senator; Minister to France; Governor of Virginia; Minister to England; Secretary of State; Secretary of War AGE AT INAUGURATION: 58 TERMS SERVED: Two (1817-1821) (1821-1825) VICE PRESIDENT: Daniel D. Tompkins (both terms) DIED: July 4, 1831, New York, New York, age 73 CAUSE OF DEATH: Natural causes

Detail Area

Westmoreland County Virginia Birthplace of James Monroe

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Early Years James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on April 28, 1758. James had a younger sister, Elizabeth, and two younger brothers, Andrew and Joseph Jones. His mother, Elizabeth, came from Wales. His father, Spence, came from Scotland and was a farmer and a carpenter. He also worked as a judge. The Monroes lived at the edge of a forest where James liked to hunt for food. James studied with a tutor. Later, he went to a nearby school. He liked math and Latin. In 1774, when James was 16, his father died. James helped with the family. But his uncle, Judge Joseph Jones, wanted James to go to college.

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President Monroe’s home in Virginia.

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College and War In June 1774, James went to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. James and other people talked about politics. They said the colonies should break free from England. In 1775, when James was 17, the war against England began. This was called the American Revolution. James wanted to fight! On September 28, 1775, young James joined the war. In March 1776, he left college. In July 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. This was a paper that said the United States was a free country! In October, James fought in the Battle of White Plains, New York. That December, he fought with George Washington in a famous battle in Trenton, New Jersey. James was shot in the battle and almost died. In 1777, he was made a captain for his bravery.

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James Monroe was only 16 when he went to college.

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Friends and Family In 1778, James Monroe returned to Virginia. He met the governor, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas taught him about law and politics. They became good friends. When he was 24, James worked in a Virginia group that helped make laws. Here he met James Madison. They became friends, too. During this time, new states in the west were joining the United States. Thomas Jefferson thought they should draw lines on a map to decide the borders, or edges, of each new state. James traveled west to see the land. He had a better idea for borders. Why not let nature draw them? The lawmakers agreed. Rivers and mountains helped define the borders of each state. James met Elizabeth Kortright from New York. Her family was on England’s side in the war!

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That didn’t matter to James and Elizabeth. In 1786, they married, and had a happy life together. They also had two daughters, Eliza and Maria, and a son. But he died very young. Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States, was good friends with James Monroe.

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The Making of the 5th United States President

1758 Born April 28th in Westmoreland County, VA

1783 Elected to the Continental Congress, serves 3 years

1812 Appointed Secretary of War by President Madison

1774 James’ father dies. Enters William and Mary College in Williamsburg, VA

1786 Marries Elizabeth Kortright

1815 The Battle of New Orleans

1775 Joins the American Revolutionary War

1790 Elected U.S. Senator

1816 James Monroe is elected president of the U.S.

1776 Battles in Trenton, NJ and is shot

1794 Appointed minister to France

1819 Spain sells Florida to the United States

PRESIDENTIAL

“The American continents . . . are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.”

1777

1778

Promoted to Captain

Promoted to General

1799 Elected Governor of Virginia

1820 The Missouri Compromise stops slavery in new northern states, Monroe reelected president

YEARS

during Monroe Administration

Studies law under Thomas Jefferson

1803 Travels back to France and makes the Louisiana Purchase

Historical Highlights

1779

The first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by a steamship (1819) Mexico claims its independence from Spain (1821) The electric motor is invented in England (1822)

1811 Re-elected Governor of VA, appointed Secretary of State by President Madison

1823 The Monroe Doctrine stops Europe from fighting war in Americas

1830 In September, Elizabeth Monroe dies

1831 James Monroe dies on July 4th

James the Diplomat In 1789, the Monroes moved to their new home, called Ash Lawn, in Charlottesville, Virginia. James became a U.S. Senator in 1790. Soon, James was sent to France. The French were upset about a new treaty between America and England. James did not defend the treaty, which angered the U.S. government. So James returned home in 1797. In 1799, James was elected Virginia’s governor. In March 1803, James returned to France. America wanted to buy New Orleans. The city was part of the Louisiana Territory owned by the French. France decided to sell all their land to the U.S. It was called the Louisiana Purchase. James was sent to England in 1803. By 1806, James had made a new treaty with the British, but President Jefferson rejected it. James returned home in 1807. In 1811, James once again became governor of Virginia.

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British Possession Oregon Country

Vermont (1791)

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Massachusettes New Hampshire

iss iss ipp

New York

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Indiana Terrirory (1800)

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Pennsylvania

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Washington D.C.

O Kentucky . Virginia eR (1792) se N. s Tennessee nne Carolina e (1796) T S. Carolina Terr. S. of the

Arkan sas R.

The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 Spanish Possession

Ohio (1803)

Rhode Island Connecticut New Jersey Delaware Maryland

Ohio River (1796) Georgia Miss. Terr. (1796)

Rio Gr ande R .

New Orleans

Spanish Possession

The Original 13 States

The Louisiana Purchase of 1803

U.S. States or Territories

Disputed Land Claimed by Both U.S. and Britain

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War and Peace Only three months after James Monroe was named governor, President Madison asked him to be secretary of state. This is an important job. The secretary of state meets with leaders from other countries. Soon, America was pulled into a terrible war between France and England. It was called the War of 1812. President Madison asked James to be the secretary of war in 1814. This meant that James led the war department. And he still had the job of secretary of state! James had many good ideas that helped the U.S. army win important battles. Finally, in 1815, the war ended. Many people liked James because of his hard work during this time. In 1816, James Monroe was elected president of the United States. The war was over and people were feeling

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better. So the period of time when James Monroe was president was called “the era of good feeling.”

James Monroe was both Secretary of State and Secretary of War, during the War of 1812.

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President Monroe President James Monroe’s inauguration was in March 1817. An inauguration is a ceremony for each new president when his term begins. President Monroe visited many states across the country. He wanted to learn what the United States was like. He traveled by horse, by carriage, and by steamboat. He even walked! For many years, the United States tried to buy Florida from Spain. In 1819, Spain agreed to sell Florida to the United States. While James Monroe was president, more and more people argued about slavery. In 1820, a new law was passed called the Missouri Compromise. It said no new states in the North could allow slavery.

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James Monroe, White house portrait.

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The Missouri Compromise did not solve the problem of slavery. Many years after Monroe was president the problem got worse and the Civil War was fought. In the early 1800s, countries in Europe were still trying to take land in South America, Central America, and North America. In 1823, James Monroe made a famous speech called the Monroe Doctrine. In his speech, James told Europe to stay out of the Americas. He said that if Europe left the Americas alone, the U.S. would not fight in any wars in Europe. For a long time, U.S. presidents followed this rule. The United States did not fight in any wars in Europe until World War I, almost 100 years later.

Opposite page: James Monroe explaining the Monroe Doctrine.

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Oak Hill When James Monroe’s term as president ended in 1825, four men wanted the job. In his last months as president, James had to listen to them arguing all the time! Finally, John Quincy Adams was elected. James and Elizabeth Monroe retired to Leesburg, Virginia. Their home was called Oak Hill. Thomas Jefferson planned it for them. James did not have much money. Presidents did not get paid very much money. James spent his own money for new furniture for the White House. James sold some of his land to make money. In September 1830, Elizabeth Monroe died. James still loved her very much and was very sad. He did not want to live in his house alone. He moved to New York and lived with his daughter, Maria, and her husband. But his health was not good.

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On Independence Day, July 4, 1831, James Monroe died. He was 73. On the day of his funeral, guns were fired in his memory. Elizabeth Monroe

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James Monroe •President Monroe was old-fashioned. He dressed as people did during the American Revolution, 40 years earlier! He wore a powdered wig and short pants that came to the knees, called breeches. His clothes reminded everyone that he was one of the people who helped the United States win freedom. •The president’s house in Washington D.C. was burned during the War of 1812. After the war, the house was fixed up and given a new coat of white paint. From that time on, the president’s house has been called the White House. •James Monroe’s daughter Maria was married in the White House. This was the first wedding ever held there. •The inauguration for James Monroe was held outdoors instead of inside the White House. James Monroe was the first president to have an outside inauguration. Since then, all presidents have had their inaugurations outside.

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•Before he fought in the Battle of Trenton, James met a doctor. They became friends and the doctor decided to come along to the battle in case anybody needed his help. James himself was shot and hurt badly. The doctor saved his life. If the doctor had not come along, James would have died.

The White House in Washington, D.C.

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Glossary College—a school you can go to after high school. Declaration of Independence—an important paper that said the English colonies wanted to be free and start their own government. Diplomat—a person who talks with leaders in many countries about trade, money, laws, and other rules to help their countries get along better. Inauguration—the ceremony held when a new president is sworn into office. Politics—the process of making laws and running a government. Promote—to give someone a higher rank or job. Revolution—to overthrow a ruler. The American Revolution freed America from England’s rule. Tutor—a teacher who teaches one or only a few students.

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Internet Sites PBS American Presidents Series http://www.americanpresidents.org Visit the PBS Web site which features the biographies of each president. Check out the key events of each presidency, speeches, fun facts, and trivia games. Welcome to the White House http://www.whitehouse.gov The official Web site of the White House. After an introduction from the current president of the United States, this site takes you through biographies of each president. Get information on White House history, art in the White House, first ladies, first families, and much more. POTUS—Presidents of the United States http://www.ipl.org/ref/POTUS/ In this Web site you will find background information, election results, cabinet members, presidency highlights, and some odd facts on each of the presidents. Links to biographies, historical documents, audio and video files, and other presidential sites are also included to enrich this site.

These sites are subject to change. Go to your favorite search engine and type in United States Presidents for more sites.

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Index A

F

S

Adams, John Quincy 26 American Revolution 4, 12, 28 army 20 Ash Lawn 18

father 10 France 6, 9, 18, 20

B

I

Battle of Trenton 29 Battle of White Plains 12 birth 10 brothers 10

inauguration 22, 28

school 8, 10 Scotland 10 secretary of state 6, 9, 20 secretary of war 6, 9, 20 senator 8, 9, 18 sister 10 slavery 22, 24 son 15 Spain 22

J

T

Jefferson, Thomas 4, 14, 26

treaty 18 Trenton, New Jersey 12

cabinet 31 children 4, 15, 26, 28 Civil War 24 college 4, 8, 10, 12 colonies 12

L

U

lawyer 4, 8 Louisiana Purchase 18 Louisiana Territory 18

uncle 10

D

M

daughters 15, 26, 28 death 27 Declaration of Independence 12 diplomat 8, 18

Madison, James 14, 20 marriage 4, 15 Missouri Compromise 22, 24 Monroe Doctrine 4, 6, 24 mother 10

Virginia 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18, 26

C

E England 6, 9, 12, 14, 18, 20 era of good feeling 6, 21

G governor 6, 9, 18

O Oak Hill 26

P politics 12, 14 president 20, 22, 26

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V

W Wales 10 war 6, 9, 12, 14, 20, 28 war department 20 War of 1812 6, 20, 28 Washington D.C. 28 Washington, George 12 wedding 28 White House 26, 28 wife 4, 6, 14, 26 World War I 24