James Monroe facts for kids

James Moroe Facts For Kids -  social studies skills studied in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.

James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Spence Monroe and Elizabeth Jones Monroe. His father, Spence was a planter and carpenter. Spences’ family emigrated from Scotland during the mid-1600s. James attended Campbelltown Academy between 1769 and 1774, and was an outstanding student, but prior to that was tutored at home by his mom.
James was expected to inherit his father's land, being that he was the oldest of all of his siblings. but in 1774 his life took a turn that was not anticipated. His father passed that year, and young James soon decided enrolled at Virginia's College of William & Mary. There he planned to study law, but he then dropped out only a few months later to fight in the American Revolution. He along with his classmates were a rebellious bunch, and chose to raid the arsenal of the British royal governor. Through this they gathered various weapons and supplies that they turned over to the Virginia militia. By 1776 he was an officer of the Continental Army. He was a part of General George Washington's team of men at the Battle of Trenton. It was during this time that he was wounded severely.

Political Career
James Monroe then went back to study law. Thomas Jefferson became his mentor, forming a lifelong personal and professional relationship with him. In the year 1782, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Between the years of 1783 and 1786, he served in the Continental Congress. At a meeting in New York he met Elizabeth Kortright, who was the daughter of a wealthy New York merchant. The couple married on February 16, 1786, and moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia. Monroe tried his hand in farming like his father had done, but proved to be unsuccessful. He then chose to sell his land, study law and enter into the world of politics. After the Federal Convention in 1787 Monroe was opposed to the Federalist ideal, and was against the ratification of the Constitution due to it lacking a bill of rights. Yet his still kept a reservation and chose to fight for the changes he wanted, after the new government was established. Virginia then ratified the Constitution, and a new government system was on the way.
In 1790, James Monroe ran for a House seat but was beat out by James Madison. Monroe was then elected by the Virginia legislature as a United States senator, and joined the Democratic-Republican team led by Jefferson and Madison. This team opposed the Federalist policies of Vice President John Adams and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. After a very short period, Monroe then became the party’s leader in Senate.

U.S. Presidency
Monroe went on to lead the country, as the fifth president of the United States. The U.S. was victorious in the war of 1812, the economy was booming, and those who opposed Monroe were few and far between. He made smart choices on who to appoint to fill in the spots on his cabinet, and continued to tour the U.S.

Monroe Doctrine
Due to complications involving Spain and several European powers, Monroe announced to Congress what went on to be known as the “Monroe Doctrine.” This stated that America should be free from European colonization, and to interfere with independent U.S. countries would be an act against the country.