Monroe, James
james Monroe(1758-1831) served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825 He is best remembered for the Monroe Doctrine of 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was a statement that warned European countries not to interfere with the free countries of North America and South America. Monroe was worried that powerful European nations might try to destroy the US. government. Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on April 28, 1758. When he was a teen-ager, he fought in the Revolutionary War(1775-1783). After the war, Monroe worked in government for 35 years before he became president in 1817. He was a U.S. senator and a governor of Virginia, and he worked in several other government positions. Monroe became famous for his leadership during the War of 1812(1812-1815), when he served as secretary of state and secretary of war at the same time. He helped the president make agreements with other countries. He was also in charge of the nation's Army and Navy. During Monroe's presidency, the United States grew stronger and bigger. His government helped stop slavery in the new territories. In 1820, Monroe was elected to a second term as president. After his second term, Monroe returned to his home near Leesburg, Virginia. He worked for the University of Virginia and for the Virginia government.