The Life of James Monroe - WordPress.com · Lesson Plan: The Life of James Monroe 3 Timeline of James Monroe’s Life 18 April 1758 Born, Westmoreland County, VA, April 28 1774 Entered

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The Life of James

Monroe

4th-6th Grade Lesson Plan Following Virginia Standards of Learning

James Monroe Museum and Memorial

Library

Created by: Megan Schloemer and Molly Woods,

Bowley Scholars, University of Mary Washington, 2013-2014

Lesson Plan: The Life of James Monroe 1

Table of Contents

Standards of Learning ………………………………………………………………………… 2

Lesson Plan Outline ……………………………………………………………………………4

Information Packet ……………………………………………………………………………. 6

Worksheets and Activities …………………………………………………………………… 10


Virginia Standards of Learning

Virginia Studies

VS.1 The student will demonstrate skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible citizenship, including the ability to

identify and interpret artifacts and primary and secondary source documents to understand events

in history;

determine cause-and-effect relationships;

compare and contrast historical events;

draw conclusions and make generalizations;

make connections between past and present;

sequence events in Virginia history;

evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing;

analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features, climatic

characteristics, and historical events.

U.S. History to 1865

USI.1 The student will demonstrate skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible

citizenship, including the ability to

identify and interpret primary and secondary source documents to increase understanding of

events and life in United States history to 1865;

make connections between the past and the present;

sequence events in United States history from pre-Columbian times to 1865;

evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing;

interpret patriotic slogans and excerpts from notable speeches and documents

USI.7 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the challenges faced by the new nation by

describing the major accomplishments of the first five presidents of the United States.

U.S. History: 1865 to the Present

USII.1 The student will demonstrate skills for historical and geographical analysis and responsible citizenship, including the ability to

analyze and interpret primary and secondary source documents to increase understanding of

events and life in United States history from 1865 to the present;

make connections between the past and the present;

sequence events in United States history from 1865 to the present;

evaluate and debate issues orally and in writing;

interpret patriotic slogans and excerpts from notable speeches and documents;


Timeline of James Monroe’s Life

18 April 1758 Born, Westmoreland County, VA, April 28

1774 Entered the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

1776 Army Officer, American Revolution

28 December 1776 Wounded, Battle of Trenton

1777-78 Wintered at Valley Forge with Continental Army

1780 Law student under Thomas Jefferson

1786 Married Elizabeth Kortright 16 February; daughter Eliza born in

December 1786-88 Lived in Fredericksburg. Lawyer, member of Virginia House of

Delegates, Virginia constitutional ratifying convention

1788-1808 Resident of Albemarle County, Virginia; built farm “Highland.”

1790-94 United States Senator from Virginia

1794 U.S. Minister to France

1796 Recalled from France

1799 Began first term as Governor of Virginia; son James Spence

Monroe born in May

1800 Gabriel’s conspiracy thwarted; James Spence Monroe dies in

September

1802 Third term as Governor ends; daughter Maria Hester Monroe born

in April

1803 U.S. minister extraordinary to France, England, and Spain

1803 Helped negotiate Louisiana Purchase Treaty

1808 Acquired farm “Oak Hill,” Loudoun County, Virginia

1810 Elected to Virginia House of Delegates

18 January 1811 Began fourth term as Governor of Virginia

2 April 1811 Appointed U.S. Secretary of State

1812-1814 War of 1812. British capture Washington, DC, burn White House.

Monroe serves briefly as both Secretary of State and Secretary of

War simultaneously

4 March 1817 Inaugurated as President

June-September 1817 Tours northern states

April -May 1818 General Andrew Jackson invades Florida Territory, owned by

Spain

1819 Florida ceded to the U.S. by Spain

5 March 1820 Signs Missouri Compromise legislation

3 March 1821 Inaugurated for second presidential term

2 December 1823 Annual message to Congress containing “The Monroe Doctrine”

23 September 1830 Death of Elizabeth Monroe

4 July 1831 Death of James Monroe


Lesson Plan Outline

Concepts: James Monroe, The Expansion of the United States, War of 1812, James Monroe’s

Politics

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to understand and recall the life of James Monroe and how his

political career influenced the history of the United States.

2. Students will be able to describe James Monroe’s role in foreign policy of the day.

3. Students will be able to understand the effect that the Louisiana Purchase, the Missouri

Compromise, and the Monroe Doctrine has had on the United States.

4. Students will be able to understand the causes and effects of the War of 1812 and James

Monroe’s political roles during this period.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge:

1. Students should have some basic geography skills.

2. Students should be able to read works of nonfiction and be able to construct and or

answer questions.

3. Students would have already talked a little bit about the Expansion of America.

Materials:

Bicorn Hat

Mob Cap

Canteen

Telescope

Beaded Purse

Peace Medal

Shoes

Image of James Monroe

Image of Judge Joseph Jones

Plates

National Intelligencer Clipping

Procedure:

1. The teacher begins by showing the class the picture of James Monroe asking to see if anyone

knows who he is. (The teacher would then state that the man in the portrait is James Monroe).

The teacher uses the image of James Monroe.

2. The teacher asks the class if anyone knows anything about James Monroe.

Pre-Activity/In-Class Activity: The Life of James Monroe Timeline (Can fill out as

teacher explains James Monroe’s Life Story)

3. The teacher teaches aspects of Monroe’s life. Details can be found in the Information packet.

Early Life

o The teacher will show the class an image of Judge Joseph Jones, James Monroe’s

uncle, who was like a second father to Monroe.

o The class will pass around the bicorn hat and the mob cap, and the teacher will

explain that these hats were fashionable in the Colonial Era.

Revolution

o The class will look at the canteen, and talk about the gear soldiers carried with

them in the American Revolution. At this time, soldiers carried their canteen,

musket, pistol, powder horn, and a few personal items.


o The teacher will show the class an image of a badge. James Monroe wore this

badge on his coat as a symbol of his allegiance to the Continental Army.

Early Political Career

o The teacher will show the class the beaded purse and explain that Elizabeth

Kortright Monroe, James Monroe’s wife, purchased many items during their time

in France. She had many different purses for all occasions.

o The class will pass around the telescope, and the teacher will explain that James

Monroe used a telescope during the War of 1812 to keep an eye out for advancing

British troops, and he may have used a telescope during the American Revolution.

Presidency

o The teacher will pass around the Peace Medal. Peace medals were given to

Indian chiefs as tokens of good faith from American ministers when signing

treaties.

o The class will view a plate that is similar to the Presidential dishware that the

Monroe’s owned.

o The teacher will show the class the dispatch box, which was used to hold

important papers.

o The teacher will show the front page of the “National Intelligencer,” dated

Tuesday, December 2, 1823. The article is about James Monroe’s annual

message to Congress, which contains what we now call the Monroe Doctrine.

o Activity Options:

The Life of James Monroe Text Analysis (about the Monroe Doctrine)

Monroe Doctrine Political Cartoon

Missouri Compromise Map

Retirement

4. The teacher will review the key points covered in the presentation of James Monroe’s life.

Activity Option: The Life of James Monroe Multiple Choice Review Worksheet

5. The activities can be assigned as a post-activity or to be completed in class at the time of the

program.

Conclusion:

1. Students give a brief review of what they learned in the lesson.

2. Students state what they think was James Monroe’s greatest contribution to the United States.

3. Students state the effects of Monroe Doctrine on foreign policy.

4. Students explain the effects of the Missouri Compromise on the United States.

5. Students state the effect of the War of 1812 on foreign policy.

Included Worksheets:

1. The Life of James Monroe Text Analysis

4th

Grade

5th

- 6th Grade

2. The Life of James Monroe Timeline

3. Monroe Doctrine Political Cartoon

4. Missouri Compromise Map Activity

5. The Life of James Monroe Multiple Choice Review Sheet


Information Packet Objectives:

1. Students will be able to understand and recall the life of James Monroe and how his

political career influenced the history of the United States.

2. Students will be able to describe James Monroe’s role in foreign policy of the day.

3. Students will be able to understand the effect that the Louisiana Purchase, the Missouri

Compromise, and the Monroe Doctrine has had on the United States.

4. Students will be able to understand the causes and effects of the War of 1812 and James

Monroe’s political roles during this period.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge:

1. Students should have some basic geography skills.

2. Students should be able to read works of nonfiction and be able to construct and or

answer questions.

3. Students would have already talked a little bit about the Expansion of America.

Procedure:

Introduction

1. The teacher begins by showing the class the picture of James Monroe asking to see if anyone

knows who he is. The teacher explains who James Monroe is, and passes the picture around the

class.

He was the 5th President of the United States.

He was from Virginia.

He fought in the Revolutionary War.

He is responsible for the Monroe Doctrine.

2. The teacher then discusses aspects of Monroe’s life.

Early Life of James Monroe

He was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on April 28, 1758, the son of Spence

and Elizabeth Monroe. Westmoreland County is located on the Potomac River in

northern Virginia.

His mother died when he was young and Spence Monroe died in 1774, when James

Monroe was sixteen years old.

His uncle, Joseph Jones sent James Monroe to study at the College of William and Mary

in Williamsburg, VA after his father died.


Revolution

The American Revolution began in April 1775. In June 1775, Lord Dunmore, the royal

governor, fled Williamsburg, and several nights later, a group of students, including

James Monroe, raided the Governor’s Palace, seized the arms, and delivered them to the

local militia.

James Monroe joined the military to fight in the Revolution in the late summer of 1775.

On December 26, 1776, James Monroe under the command of Captain William

Washington went ahead of Washington’s troops to secure a route leading to the town of

Trenton, New Jersey. General Washington’s troops followed the next morning. The

Hessian (German) troops tried to recover from the surprise attack, but Monroe and Capt.

Washington dispersed them. During the Battle of Trenton, James Monroe was wounded

in the left shoulder. While Monroe recovered from his wounds, he was sent on recruiting

duty in Virginia.

In 1778, James Monroe spent the winter at Valley Forge, and was appointed a colonel in

one of four Virginia regiments. However, when the regiments were reduced to one,

Monroe lost his command, ending his military career at that time.

Early Political Career

In 1786, Monroe and his new wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, settled in

Fredericksburg, Virginia, and there he studied law for three years.

In 1787, Monroe became a member of Virginia House of Delegates.

In June 1788, James Monroe was a member of the Virginia Constitutional Ratifying

Convention, where he voted against its ratification.

In 1794, President George Washington appointed James Monroe as Minister to France.

While Minister to France, Monroe obtained the release of Thomas Paine, author of

“Common Sense” and Madame de Lafayette, Marquis de Lafayette’s wife, who were

both imprisoned by the French Government.

After leaving France in 1796, Monroe served as the Governor of Virginia from 1799 to

1802. During his terms, he oversaw the construction of the state’s first penitentiary and

state armory; he also approved the manufacturing and purchase of arms.

In 1803, Monroe was appointed Minister to France, England, and Spain. That same year

he helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase Treaty.

Throughout the War of 1812, James Monroe was both the Secretary of State and acting

Secretary of War.


Presidency

James Monroe started thinking about running for president in 1815, and with the help of

his son-in-law, George Hay, began to plan his presidential campaign.

James Monroe was elected president in 1816, and served two terms from 1817-1825. He

was the fifth President, and the last of the founding fathers.

For his cabinet, Monroe selected John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State, William H.

Crawford as Secretary of the Treasury, John C. Calhoun as Secretary of War, and

William Wirt as Attorney General. Daniel D. Tompkins was elected vice president.

Monroe appointed both Democratic- Republicans and Federalists to his Cabinet, and tried

to avoid political tension, so his presidency was called the “Era of Good Feelings.”

Since James Monroe was concerned with military defense he reorganized the army and

the navy, and reformed the military academy of West Point.

He resolved the majority of the United States’ border disputes, particularly that of the

north and south by signing the Missouri Compromise on March 5, 1820. The Missouri

Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. This law

prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36° 30´ latitude line, with the

exception of Missouri.

Three years later on December 2, 1823, James Monroe delivered an annual message

known as the Monroe Doctrine.

3. The teacher discusses the Monroe Doctrine:

Russia owned Alaska and American territory extending all the way to present day

Oregon.

Although many colonies in South America had recently declared their independence, they

feared Spain would attempt to regain their former colonies.

The Monroe Doctrine states that any effort by European nations to establish new colonies

or retake former colonies in the Western Hemisphere will be seen as an act of aggression

requiring U.S. intervention.

The United States would not interfere with European colonies already existing in the

Western Hemisphere, including Central and South America.

The Monroe Doctrine protected newly independent Latin American countries from

European intervention and control, ensured U.S. national security, and established an

American sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere.


4. The teacher discusses how U.S. presidents have used the Monroe Doctrine over time:

Theodore Roosevelt announced the “Roosevelt Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine in

1904. It stated that the United States had the right to intervene militarily in cases of

“flagrant and chronic wrongdoing by a Latin American Nation.”

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, John F. Kennedy took action against these

missiles placed in Cuba by the Soviet Union, citing the Monroe Doctrine as one

justification.

Retirement

In 1825, James Monroe leaves the Presidency, and retires to his home at Oak Hill.

August 1, 1826, Monroe is appointed to the Board of Visitors at the University of

Virginia.

Several times from 1826-1827, Monroe declined requests to return to politics.

In 1829, James Monroe became the president of the Virginia Constitutional Convention.

After his wife dies in 1830, Monroe moved to New York to live with his daughter, Maria.

In May 1831, Monroe resigned from the University of Virginia Board of Visitors.

On July 4, 1831, James Monroe died in New York.

Conclusion:

1. Students give a brief review of what they learned in the lesson.

2. Students state what they think was James Monroe’s greatest contribution to the United States.

3. Students state the effects of Monroe Doctrine on foreign policy.

4. Students explain the effects of the Missouri Compromise on the United States.

5. Students state the effect of the War of 1812 on foreign policy.


Name: Date:

The Life of James Monroe

Directions: Read the portion of the Monroe Doctrine below and answer the following questions in

complete sentences.

Questions:

1. Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine and in what year? ________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Read: “With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered

and shall not interfere.” To what colonies might James Monroe be referring to in this sentence?

___________________________________________________________________________________

3. What might have been the reasons for creating such a policy? _______________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are the three points James Monroe is trying to make in this paragraph?

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

5. Name an event that was influenced by the Monroe Doctrine based on this text?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

“…We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and

those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any

portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies

of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have

declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and

on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or

controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the

manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.”


Name: ANSWER KEY Date:



complete sentences.

Questions:

1. Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine and in what year? James Monroe wrote the Monroe Doctrine in

1823.

2. Read: “With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered

and shall not interfere.” To what colonies might James Monroe be referring to in this sentence?

James Monroe was referring to the Spanish colonies found in South America.

3. What might have been the reasons for creating such a policy? This policy was enacted because

Americans feared that both the French and Spanish would try to reassert their power over Latin

America. This policy was also a response to the Russian presence in Alaska.

4. What are the three points James Monroe is trying to make in this paragraph?

The United States will not interfere in the affairs of independent countries, and will recognize the

independence of former European colonies. The United States will not tolerate European

colonization in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. will consider any European interference with

the U.S. as a hostile act.

5. Name an event that was influenced by the Monroe Doctrine based on this text?

Cuban Missile Crisis, Roosevelt Corollary, Iraq War

“…We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and

those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any

portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies

of any European power we have not interfered and shall not interfere. But with the Governments who have

declared their independence and maintain it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and

on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or

controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the

manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.”


Name: Date: ___________________



complete sentences.

Questions:

1. Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine and in what year? _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2. To what part of the world is Monroe referring to? _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

3. Why does Monroe think it would be dangerous for other countries to extend their power in

the western hemisphere? ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

“…We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the

United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their

part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and

safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not

interfered and shall not interfere.”


Name: ANSWER KEY Date: ___________________



complete sentences.

Questions:

1. Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine and in what year? James Monroe wrote the Monroe

Doctrine in 1823.

2. To what part of the world is Monroe referring to? James Monroe was referring to the

Spanish colonies found in South America.

3. Why does Monroe think it would be dangerous for other countries to extend their power in

the western hemisphere? Monroe does not want any European colonization in the Western

Hemisphere or European involvement because he fears they may infringe on American

rights and land.

“…We owe it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the

United States and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their

part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and

safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not

interfered and shall not interfere.”


Name: Date: ___________________

The Life of James Monroe Multiple Choice Review

Directions: Circle the correct answer to the question.

1. Where was James Monroe Born?

(a) Westmoreland, VA (c) Philadelphia, PA

(b) Fredericksburg, VA (d) Boston, MA

2. In which battle was James Monroe wounded in the American Revolution?

(a) Battles of Lexington and Concord

(b) Battle of Saratoga

(c) Battle of Trenton

(d) Battle of Yorktown

3. What year was James Monroe elected to the Virginia House of Delegates?

(a) 1776 (c) 1780

(b) 1779 (d) 1782

4. Where did President Washington send James Monroe in 1794 to serve as minister?

(a) Russia (c) France

(b) Italy (d) Ireland

5. Where else did James Monroe serve as minister?

(a) Ireland and Italy (c) Germany and Russia

(b) Mexico and Cuba (d) Great Britain and Spain

6. During the War of 1812, James Monroe held two different positions on President Madison’s

Cabinet, including Secretary of War. What other position did he hold during this war?

(a) Secretary of Treasurer (c) Secretary of State

(b) Vice President (d) Press Secretary

7. How many times, was James Monroe elected President?

(a) Two (c) Four

(b) Three (d) One

8. What was one of the political documents signed by James Monroe during his presidency?

(a) Louisiana Purchase Treaty (c) Declaration of Independence

(b) Missouri Compromise (d) Treaty of Versailles

9. What was one of the issues discussed in the Monroe Doctrine?

(a) Slavery (c) Control over Land

(b) Taxation without Representation (d) War with Germany

10. On what day did James Monroe die in 1831?

(a) May 5th (c) December 25

th

(b) July 20th

(d) July 4th



The Life of James Monroe Multiple Choice Review

Directions: Circle the correct answer to the question.

1. Where was James Monroe Born?

(a) Westmoreland, VA (c) Philadelphia, PA

(b) Fredericksburg, VA (d) Boston, MA

2. In which battle was James Monroe wounded in the American Revolution?

(a) Battles of Lexington and Concord

(b) Battle of Saratoga (c) Battle of Trenton

(d) Battle of Yorktown

3. What year was James Monroe elected to the Virginia House of Delegates?

(a) 1776 (c) 1780

(b) 1779 (d) 1782

4. Where did President Washington send James Monroe in 1794 to serve as minister?

(a) Russia (c) France

(b) Italy (d) Ireland

5. Where else did James Monroe serve as minister?

(a) Ireland and Italy (c) Germany and Russia

(b) Mexico and Cuba (d) Great Britain and Spain

6. During the War of 1812, James Monroe held two different positions on President Madison’s

Cabinet, including Secretary of War. What other position did he hold during this war?

(a) Secretary of Treasurer (c) Secretary of State

(b) Vice President (d) Press Secretary

7. How many times, was James Monroe elected President?

(a) Two (c) Four

(b) Three (d) One

8. What was one of the political documents signed by James Monroe during his presidency?

(a) Louisiana Purchase Treaty (c) Declaration of Independence

(b) Missouri Compromise (d) Treaty of Versailles

9. What was one of the issues discussed in the Monroe Doctrine?

(a) Slavery (c) Control over Land

(b) Taxation without Representation (d) War with Germany

10. On what day did James Monroe die in 1831?

(a) May 5th (c) December 25

th

(b) July 20th

(d) July 4th


Name: Date: ___________________

Political Cartoon

Directions: Write a short paragraph about what is being depicted in this political cartoon. What

important U.S. events are being referenced in the picture?

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________



Political Cartoon

Directions: Write a short paragraph about what is being depicted in this political cartoon. What

important U.S. events are being referenced in the picture?

This comic was published in

1963, one year after the Cuban

Missile Crisis. In this cartoon,

L.D. Warren criticizes JFK’s

foreign policy in Latin America

by depicting Abraham Lincoln

and James Monroe, who were

strongly against any European

influence in the Western

Hemisphere. JFK was greatly

criticized for not taking stronger

steps against Communist Cuba.

Here Lincoln and Monroe

appear to mourn America’s lack of intervention with Communist Cuba. The papers that

these two presidents are holding reference their views on government involvement.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Documents

The Life of James Monroe - WordPress.com · Lesson Plan: The Life of James Monroe 3 Timeline of James Monroe’s Life 18 April 1758 Born, Westmoreland County, VA, April 28 1774 Entered