James Monroe

James Monroe was born April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, Virgina to Spence and Elizabeth Monroe. James Monroe passed away July 4, 1831. Monroe was the the fifth president of the United States, he served from 1817- 1825. James Monroe Represented the state of Virginia. James Monroe attended college and began studying at the college of William and Mary. The next year after in 1775 when the Revolutionary war fever was spreading around, James dropped out of school to join the Williamsberg Militia. Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright on February 16, 1786. Elizabeth Kortright(1768-1830) and James had three children Eliza Kortright(1786-1835), James Spence (1799-1800), and Maria Hester (1803-1850). Monroe was a lawyer before he was the fifth president of the United States. While James was the President he also shared the office with Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.James Monroe was preceded by James Madison and Succeeded by John Quincy Adams. James was the last president of the Virginia Dynasty of the United States presidents, which also included James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

In 1776 James enlisted himself in the Third Virgina Regiment. When James was at the young age of 18 he was crossing the Delaware River with General George Washington in the December of 1776. James was later hurt at the Battle of Trenton, and he camped out during the next winter of 1777, at Valley Forge. Monroe had an excellent military career as he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Not only did Monroe fight in the battle of Trenton he also fought in the battles of Harlem Heights, White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. James was elected to the Virgina House of Delegates which also consisted of Thomas Jefferson at that time. Monroe also served in the Constitutional Congress from 1783- 1786, James Madison was also in the Constitutional Congress at this time. As a politition James joined the anti Federalist in the Virginia Convention which ratified the Constitution. In 1790 James was elected the United States Senator. When Monroe was done with the term of being Senator he became the Minister of France from 1794 to 1796. Once James was done with the office he went back to Virginia and was practicing law before he got elected to Governor there from 1799 to 1802 . Under the first Jefferson Amendment, James was sent to France to assist Robert R. Livingston to discuss them Louisiana Purchase. James Monroe also helped Thomas Paine from getting executed.

The Revolution was something that many men in this time wished to be in. James Monroe joined the Revolution because he felt he owed his colonists to do so. Monroe felt like he should fight for his rights and his family so he joined the Revolution. He felt he needed independence and should fight for his right to have independence. Monroe also disliked the ways of England.

Even though James Monroe did many things during his life he is not recognized as well as George Washington or Samuel Adams. I think that the recognition that James Monroe has is suitable for what he did. He may deserve a bit more recognition but what he has is fair. James did do many things during his life but they weren't as important as many other people did. I realize he fought for what he believed in but and did things such as fought in the battle of Trenton, etc., but many people don't recognize him because he didn't do many major things.