JAMES MONROE. — American statesman, born in Westmoreland County (Virginia) on 28 Apr. 1758, died in New York on 4 July 1831. He fought in the War of Independence, served in the Virginia legislature, and then in the Congress of the new Confederation. He was sent to France as minister plenipotentiary from 1794 to 1796.
Returning to France in 1803, he concluded with Napoleon the purchase of Louisiana on behalf of his government. In 1811 he was appointed Secretary of State, and in 1816 was elected President of the Confederation and reelected in 1820. During the eight years of his administration he acquired Florida from Spain; resolved peacefully with the Missouri Compromise the first conflict over the slavery question; and proclaimed, in a message to Congress on 2 Dec. 1823, the famous "doctrine" known by his name, which set forth the guidelines of U.S. foreign policy. In opposition to European imperialism (the continental powers seemed intent on reconquering Latin America), he sought to defend American democracy from what were considered dangerous contacts with European absolutism. The doctrine aimed to prevent new attempts at European colonization in the Americas and any interference by European states, while at the same time reaffirming the United States’ refusal to intervene in European affairs. Reaffirmed in the message of 1824, it served to discourage further European colonial ventures beyond the Atlantic and laid the groundwork for U.S. expansionism.