James Monroe served as the fifth President of the United States from 1817 to 1825. A Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia, he had served as a diplomat, governor, secretary of state, and secretary of war before taking office.
Monroe was a Democratic Republican. His time in office is often called the Era of Good Feelings because party conflict faded for a while.
Key Moments
He signed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri and Maine and drew a line on slavery in the western territories. In 1823 he announced the Monroe Doctrine, warning European powers against new colonization in the Americas.
Did You Know
Monroe ran for reelection in 1820 essentially unopposed. He died on July 4, 1831, making him the third of the first five presidents to die on Independence Day.
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