1822 James Monroe - Accomplishments of President Monroe

Historical scholars typically rank James Monroe in the top third, but rarely if ever in the top 10.  His highest ranking comes from the Siena College Research Institution poll of 2010.  In these polls, it seems that Monroe was held back by his lack of creativity and willingness to take risks.   Where Monroe scored highest on was his foreign policy accomplishments.  Only Franklin D. Roosevelt scored higher in this category than Monroe.   Monroe even outshines George Washington.  President Monroe has been credited with many foreign affair accomplishments including the acquisition of Florida and settling boundary issues with Britain.   In 1822, President Monroe used his State of the Union address to remind Congress of his accomplishments.  Monroe listed them as accomplishments of the nation, but there is no mistake he was tooting his own horn just a bit.  He wrote that "from this view it appears"

"that our commercial differences with France and Great Britain have been placed in a train of amicable arrangement on conditions fair and honorable in both instances to each party";

In his previous messages to Congress, Monroe shared details about how both France and Britain had tried to take advantage of American merchants, and the actions he took to eliminate the threats.

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/06/1821-james-monroe-tonnage-duties-on.html
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/06/1820-james-monroe-repealing-tonnage.html
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/05/1819-james-monroe-dumping-british-goods.html

"that our finances are in a very productive state, our revenue being at present fully competent to all the demands upon it";

Monroe had just shared the good news about the nation's revenue.  In 1822, the federal debt had dropped to just over $9.8 million from 103 million in 1817.

"that our military force is well organized in all its branches and capable of rendering the most important service in case of emergency that its number will admit of; 

that due progress has been made, under existing appropriations, in the construction of fortifications and in the operations of the Ordnance Dep't; 

that due progress has in like manner been made in the construction of ships of war;
that our Navy is in the best condition, felt and respected in every sea in which it is employed for the protection of our commerce";

Over the last five years Monroe shared many accomplishments about the U.S. military and all it's branches.  From constructing frontier forts, to surveying the coasts, to building navy squadrons.  Monroe increased our peace and security.

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/03/1817-james-monroe-frontier-forts.html
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/05/1819-james-monroe-united-states-survey.html
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/07/1821-james-monroe-peacetime-naval.html

"that our manufactures have augmented in amount and improved in quality";

Coming out of the war, manufacturing was suffering hard.  It took another big hit during the panic of 1819.   Through protective tariffs, Monroe helped manufacturing grow back strong.

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/07/1821-james-monroe-raising-tariffs.html

"that great progress has been made in the settlement of accounts and in the recovery of the balances due by individuals, and
that the utmost economy is secured and observed in every Dep't of the Administration".

After the Panic of 1819, President Monroe had to face both Congress and the American people and once again ask them to put their trust in the federal government and the Bank of the Untied States.   The hard work had paid off, and now in 1822 the country had rebounded.

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/05/1820-james-monroe-trust-second-bank-of.html


The Monroe administration led our nation through a time of transition.   From a young nation at the mercy of the European powers to a nation that could stand tall economically, commercially and even in Military with the nations of the world.  In the six years leading up to 1822, President Monroe had seen the Seminole war, the Panic of 1818, the purchase of Florida, established treaties with Britain, France, Sweden and many other countries.  He stood up for Latin America, established tariffs, repealed internal taxes, handled a drought, sent out expeditions, built forts, surveyed the Coasts, re-established the Second Bank of the United States, and reorganized the military.  

And with this new leadership role that the United States had earned, there were now new responsibilities and dangers that Congress and the President must be prepared for.

"Other objects will likewise claim your attention, because from the station which the United States hold as a member of the great community of nations they have rights to maintain, duties to perform, and dangers to encounter."

President James Monroe was a busy President, with an effective cabinet.   It's a shame that he is not more recognized as one of the greatest Presidents.  

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29464
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_presidents_of_the_United_States
https://millercenter.org/president/monroe/impact-and-legacy