Isabella Carter
James Monroe, born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, was an eyewitness to many of the events that led to the creation of the United States and the U.S. Constitution. Monroe studied law under Thomas Jefferson from 1780 to 1783 and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Virginia Ratifying Convention. He opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and, in 1790, was elected to the Senate, where he became a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. However, it is unclear exactly when Monroe signed the Constitution, as there are conflicting reports about his involvement in the process. Some sources indicate that he opposed the Constitution and did not sign it, while others suggest that he was a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, which voted on the adoption of the Constitution in 1788. Therefore, further information is needed to determine the exact age of James Monroe when he signed the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 April 1758 |
| Age at death | 73 |
| Date of death | 4 July 1831 |
| Date the Constitution was ratified | 1789 |
| Date Monroe took a seat in the U.S. Senate | 1790 |
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What You'll Learn
James Monroe was 62 when he signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820
James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was 62 years old when he signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820.
Monroe's public career began humbly, and he witnessed many of the events that led to the creation of the United States and the U.S. Constitution. He was an eyewitness to the Battle of Trenton, where he served as an 18-year-old lieutenant under George Washington. After studying law under Thomas Jefferson from 1780 to 1783, Monroe served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Virginia Ratifying Convention. He opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and later joined the anti-Federalists in the Virginia Convention, which ratified the Constitution.
In 1787, Monroe was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1790, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he became a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. He left the Senate in 1794 to serve as President George Washington's ambassador to France but was recalled due to his opposition to the Jay Treaty. Monroe returned to the United States and was elected Governor of Virginia in 1799. He played a key role in negotiating the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States.
Monroe was elected as the fifth President of the United States in 1816 and served two terms. During his presidency, he signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820, which outlawed slavery in the Louisiana Territory above the parallel 36°30′ north, excluding the state of Missouri. He believed that signing the compromise was necessary to avoid civil war, despite his opposition to any restriction on slavery.
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Monroe was a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788
James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He joined the Continental Army and fought in the American Revolution, serving with distinction in several important battles, including Trenton, Monmouth, Brandywine, and Germantown. In 1780, he began studying law under Thomas Jefferson, then the governor of Virginia. From 1783 to 1786, he served in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the new nation. During this time, he advocated for the right of the United States to navigate the Mississippi River, which was then controlled by the Spanish.
In 1787, Monroe was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1788, at the age of 30, he became a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, which voted on the adoption of the United States Constitution. Monroe opposed the ratification of the Constitution, and when it was ratified in 1789, he joined the anti-Federalists. Despite his opposition to the Constitution, Monroe played a significant role in shaping the early United States and its policies. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1790, where he continued to oppose greater federal control and advocate for state and individual rights.
Monroe's political career was marked by his close associations with Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. He served as an ambassador to France under Washington, but the two had a falling out due to Monroe's opposition to the Jay Treaty. He returned to the United States and was elected Governor of Virginia in 1799. As president, Jefferson sent Monroe back to France to help negotiate the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. Despite some differences in opinion, Monroe and Jefferson maintained a close relationship, with Jefferson praising Monroe's honesty and integrity.
Monroe's friendship with James Madison was also notable, although they fell out at times due to political differences. Monroe served as Madison's secretary of state and helped shape foreign policy, including the Monroe Doctrine, which asserted the United States' influence in the Western Hemisphere and warned European powers against colonizing Latin America. In his later years, Monroe remained active in politics, serving as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830 and helping to preside over a new state constitution in 1829. He died on July 4, 1831, at the age of 73.
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He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1787
James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He joined the Continental Army during the American Revolution and fought in several important battles, including Trenton, Monmouth, Brandywine, and Germantown. In 1780, he began studying law under Thomas Jefferson, then the governor of Virginia. From 1783 to 1786, he served in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the new nation. During this time, he advocated for the right of the United States to navigate the Mississippi River, which was then controlled by the Spanish.
In 1787, Monroe was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. At this time, he was becoming outspoken in his desire to reform the Articles of Confederation. However, due to his work obligations, he was unable to attend the Philadelphia Convention, which was held to discuss and draft a new constitution for the United States. Despite his absence, Monroe played a role in shaping the country's future through his involvement in the Virginia House of Delegates.
The Virginia House of Delegates was the lower house of the bicameral legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a member of this body, Monroe represented the interests of his constituents and contributed to the legislative process in the state. The House of Delegates had the power to introduce and pass laws, as well as amend existing ones. As a delegate, Monroe would have participated in debates, proposed and voted on legislation, and worked with his colleagues to address the issues facing Virginia at the time.
Monroe's time in the Virginia House of Delegates coincided with a period of political upheaval and transformation in the United States. The Articles of Confederation, which established the country's first government, were proving ineffective, and there was a growing sentiment for reform or replacement. Monroe, having served under the Articles, was aware of their limitations and may have brought this perspective to his role as a delegate. He would have engaged in discussions and debates about the future of the country and the need for a stronger central government.
In 1788, Monroe became a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, where Virginia voted on the adoption of the new federal Constitution. This was a significant step in Monroe's political career, as he had the opportunity to directly influence the shape and direction of the country. However, it is important to note that Monroe initially opposed the ratification of the Constitution, aligning himself with the anti-Federalists.
Monroe's early political career, including his time in the Virginia House of Delegates, laid the foundation for his future achievements. He went on to serve as a United States Senator, Governor of Virginia, and eventually, the fifth President of the United States from 1817 to 1825. Throughout his career, Monroe remained committed to shaping America's destiny, as evidenced by his involvement in significant events such as the Louisiana Purchase and the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine, which sought to keep other nations out of the Western Hemisphere.
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Monroe was elected to the US Senate in 1790
James Monroe was 32 years old when he was elected to the US Senate in 1790. He was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Monroe's public career started from humble roots. He was an eyewitness to many of the events that led to the creation of the United States and the US Constitution.
Monroe studied law under Thomas Jefferson from 1780 to 1783 and subsequently served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Virginia Ratifying Convention. In 1782, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and chosen as a member of the governor's council. From 1783 to 1786, he served in the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the new nation. During his term, he insisted on the right of the United States to navigate the Mississippi River, then controlled by the Spanish. He also attempted to secure for the weak Congress the power to regulate commerce, addressing one of the great defects in the existing central government.
In 1787, Monroe won election to another term in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1788, he became a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, which voted on the adoption of the United States Constitution. Although he opposed the ratification of the Constitution, he was elected to the US Senate in 1790, where he became a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. He vigorously opposed President George Washington's administration during his time in the Senate.
Monroe's tenure in the Senate ended in 1794 when he was appointed by President Washington as an ambassador to France. However, he was recalled in 1796 due to his opposition to the Jay Treaty and his inability to represent Washington's policy of strict neutrality toward Britain and France. Despite this setback, Monroe's political career continued to flourish, and he went on to serve as Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and ultimately, President of the United States.
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He was 31 when he resigned from Congress in 1786
James Monroe was 31 years old when he resigned from Congress in 1786. Born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, Monroe was the son of a prosperous planter. He attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and later joined the Continental Army, where he fought in the American Revolution under General George Washington.
Monroe began studying law under Thomas Jefferson in 1780 and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1782 and served in Congress under the Articles of Confederation from 1783 to 1786. During his term, he advocated for the right of the United States to navigate the Mississippi River and worked to secure for Congress the power to regulate commerce.
In the fall of 1786, Monroe resigned from Congress at the age of 31. He moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he passed the bar exam and became an attorney for the state. The following year, in 1787, he was elected to another term in the Virginia House of Delegates. Monroe became a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, which voted on the adoption of the United States Constitution.
Monroe went on to have a notable political career, serving as a senator, ambassador to France, governor of Virginia, and eventually, the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825. Despite his opposition, he signed the Missouri Compromise in 1820 to avoid civil war and is known for the Monroe Doctrine, a policy to keep other nations out of the Western Hemisphere. He died on July 4, 1831, at the age of 73.
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Frequently asked questions
James Monroe was not a signatory to the US Constitution. He was born in 1758 and the US Constitution was adopted in 1787, so he would have been 29 years old. However, Monroe was a delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, which voted on the adoption of the Constitution in 1788. He was also a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, which he joined in 1787.
James Monroe was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, which he helped found alongside Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The party opposed increased federal power and sought to protect state and individual rights.
James Monroe had a long career in politics and law before becoming president. He studied law under Thomas Jefferson and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Virginia Ratifying Convention. He was also elected to the US Senate in 1790 and served as a minister to France from 1794 to 1796. Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia in 1799 and served in that role until he became president in 1817.
