James Monroe: An Effective Leader

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Throughout history, many men have risen to power. These leaders can be categorized into two sections: effective and ineffective leaders. Great leaders are defined by their special talents or skills they use to help an economy grow and prosper. On the other hand, terrible and unsuccessful leaders lazily use their skills to help the people of their country. James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States and served from 1817-1825. He was one of our founding fathers and approved and also introduced specific key documents or deals that bettered our nation as a whole. Therefore, through his intelligence, negotiation abilities, commitment, and military and government experience, James Monroe proves to be a very successful and great leader …show more content…
The Spanish were the original proprietors of the Louisiana Territory until France acquired it from them in 1802. After this purchase, Napoleon sent French troops to St. Dominique and intended to send more to New Orleans, and this unsettled western settlers. Thomas Jefferson at the time thought that New Orleans and Florida and the land between the Mississippi and the Appalachian Mountains were vital to westward expansion, the growth of the nation, and the safety and comfort of the people, so he ordered James Monroe to go to France and try to negotiate a deal alongside Livingston. Thomas Jefferson highly valued Monroe as a diplomat and stated that "all eyes, all hopes, are now fixed on you, .... for on the event of this mission depends the future destinies of this republic.” Monroe then traveled to France, and after long negotiation and recent realization, Napoleon Bonaparte offered the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States for 15 million dollars. Monroe helped make this deal possible and without him, the United States might still have French control over 15 states. Therefore, Monroe’s incredible negotiation abilities and diplomacy helped the United States grow and trade flourish through the west. His commitment and diplomatic skills further prove that Monroe was an undeniably great leader even before he became …show more content…
Once the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, Spanish colonies were declaring their independences from Latin America. However, some countries were so rallied by their declaration of freedom that they wanted to reconquer lost Spanish land that was previously theirs. James Monroe was aware of this and to protect the United States from foreign affairs, he wrote a doctrine. This is known as the Monroe Doctrine, and it states that the United States will not be interfered with from other nations and that the United States will not be subject to any foreign colonization; any interference will be taken as a threat. In addition to this successful doctrine, Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise, which allows states to decide whether or not they want to be a free or a slave state. Monroe’s presidential decisions were based on the well-being of the people. He conceived the Monroe Doctrine, which further protects the United States and their people from foreign interference and also signed a bill that gave specific rights to states. Therefore, through the Monroe Doctrine and the Missouri compromise, James Monroe proved that not only his negotiation abilities were exceptional but also that he sought to keep his people pleased and well protected. Any man, who acts for his people and strives to keep them safe, is a great leader, and James Monroe prioritized his country over