5   James Monroe  1817 – 1825
“The public lands are a public stock,
which ought to be disposed of
James Monroe
to the best advantage for the nation.”
Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States. His presidency was marked both by an "Era of Good Feelings" and later by the Panic of 1819. Monroe is most noted for his proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, which stated that the United States would not tolerate further European intervention in the Americas.

As president, he sought to ease partisan tensions and embarked on a tour of the country. He was well received everywhere, as nationalism surged and partisan fury subsided and won a near-unanimous reelection. Following his retirement in 1825, Monroe was plagued by financial difficulties. He died in New York City on July 4, 1831.

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