James Monroe - Biography.

James Monroe - Biography. 5th president of the United States Birth April 28, 1758 Death July 4, 1831 Home State Virginia Party Democratic-Republican Terms In Office 1817-1821 1821-1825 Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins Significant Acts Ordered the suppression of Seminole uprisings in Florida in 1817. Purchased Florida from Spain for the settlement of $5 million in Spanish debt. Signed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which set limits on the expansion of slavery into newly-acquired territories. Adopted the policy of setting aside land for Native Americans in the Great Plains. Signed a treaty with Russia establishing a boundary to Russian territory in North America. Proclaimed the Monroe Doctrine, opposing European intervention in the affairs of nations in the Western Hemisphere. Career 1775-1780 Served in the Continental Army. 1782 Served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. 1783-1786 Served as a delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress. 1790-1794 Served as a Virginia senator in the U.S. Senate. 1794-1796 Represented the American ministry to France. 1799-1803 Served as governor of Virginia. 1803-1807 Headed diplomatic missions to England and Spain. 1811-1817 Served as secretary of state under James Madison. 1817-1825 President of the United States. Did You Know Monroe was the first president to ride in a steamboat. Monroe's inauguration was the first held outdoors--because of a dispute over seating in Congress. Monroe ran virtually unopposed for a second term as president, capturing all electoral votes except one. Partisan politics were largely set aside during Monroe's presidency, which became known as the 'era of good feelings.' Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.