While Monroe's time in office was called the “Era of Good Feelings,” there were actually problems brewing. America entered its first depression (1819–1821), which at that time was called a panic. Sectionalism would continue to rear its ugly head until it was decisively cut off with the Civil War. Finally, America needed to find its place in the world. Monroe stepped up and delivered the Monroe Doctrine to this end.

First Seminole War

One of the first things that President Monroe had to contend with was the First Seminole War (1817–1818). Seminole Indians were raiding Georgia from across the border in Spanish-held Florida. Monroe sent General Andrew Jackson to the region to try to contain the situation. However, Jackson disobeyed orders against invading Florida and instead moved against it and deposed the military governor.

While many called for Jackson to be reprimanded for his actions, no such statement was made. The move against Florida most probably helped speed up the Adams-Onis Treaty, which occurred in 1819 and by which Spain gave Florida to the United States while keeping control of Texas.

Missouri Compromise

The issue of slave states versus free states was heading toward direct confrontation with each new state entering the Union. The Missouri Compromise (1820) was an effort to maintain the balance between the two, thereby alleviating any problems. In this compromise, Missouri was admitted as a slave state while Maine became a free state. Further, any future states created out of the land of the Louisiana Purchase above latitude 36 degrees 30 minutes were to be free. This compromise helped stave off the Civil War for a few more decades.

Monroe Doctrine

The most enduring event that occurred during Monroe's presidency was the delivery of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. In a speech before Congress, Monroe made a pronouncement that would guide American foreign policy throughout the nineteenth century. He stated that America would not allow European powers to expand into or intervene in the Western Hemisphere.

This, along with Theodore Roosevelt's Roosevelt Corollary and Franklin Roosevelt's Good Neighbor policy, is still a central part of U.S. foreign policy.