James Monroe: Feelin' Good! Trivia Game | U.S. Presidents

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Under whom did Monroe study law?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Monroe was a student at William & Mary College when the Revolutionary War broke out. He dropped out to join the Continental Army and never returned to finish his degree. He did, however, return to Virginia to study law under Jefferson from 1780-1783. Admitted to the Virginia bar in 1786, Monroe practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for the next four years.

2. As a member of the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788, how did Monroe vote regarding the proposed U.S. Constitution?

Answer: Against it.

Monroe represented Spotsylvania at the convention, where he voted against the Constitution, but soon came to support, initially, the new government of George Washington.

3. As president, how did Monroe prefer to be addressed?

Answer: Colonel

Monroe was proud of his record during the Revolutionary War. Enlisting as a lieutenant, he was severely wounded at the Battle of Trenton. He resigned his commission in 1778 at the rank of major, but 2 years later, was appointed military commissioner of Virginia by Gov. Thomas Jefferson, with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

4. What country was purchased by the American Colonization Society and renamed Liberia?

Answer: Upper Guinea

Purchased in 1817 by the abolitionist group for the purpose of relocating slaves back to Africa, Upper Guinea in West Africa was renamed Liberia in 1824.

5. What became of Monroe's eldest daughter, Eliza, after the death of her husband and father?

Answer: She moved to a Parisian convent.

Eliza often served as the official White House hostess due to her mother's ill health. After her father and husband died, Eliza moved to Paris and converted to Catholicism, living out her remaining days in a convent, never to be heard from again.

6. During the 1st Seminole War (1817-18), President Monroe appointed General Andrew Jackson to deal with the Seminole Indians and fugitive slaves who were using Florida as a base from which to raid Georgia. What action by Jackson led to calls for President Monroe to reprimand him?

Answer: He exceeded orders by invading the Spanish territory of Florida.

Not known for his diplomacy, Jackson wreaked havoc in Florida. Ordered by Monroe to stay out of Spanish territory unless in "hot pursuit" of the enemy, Jackson rode roughshod over the country, destroying Seminole villages and capturing Pensacola on his way to overthrowing the Spanish governor of Florida.

He also ordered the execution of two British citizens, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, for having inspired and incited the Seminoles to attack American settlements and towns in Georgia. Because of this blatant disregard for presidential authority, many, including Secretary of War John Calhoun, called for his reprimand.

A motion of censure was brought before Congress but failed to amount to anything and no further action was taken.

Interestingly enough, just a few short years later, Calhoun was elected vice-president...under President Andrew Jackson.

7. Perhaps the most famous action to come from Monroe's presidency is the Monroe Doctrine. Although it carries his name, Monroe was not responsible for the drafting of the doctrine. Who was the "author" of this important American stance?

Answer: John Quincy Adams

Ironically, the document that, in effect, told European countries, including Great Britain, to stay out of affairs in the Western Hemisphere, was broached by British Foreign Minster George Canning, as his response to opposition of the Holy Alliance of France, Austria, Russia and Prussia. To make a long story short, Secretary Of State Adams didn't trust any of the European powers, including Great Britain, and pushed for exclusion of all European influence in North and South America, hoping to check Spanish, French and English power in South America, and the possible extension of Russia's claim on Alaska to include what is now the U.S. Pacific Northwest in North America.

8. In the election of 1820, out of a possible 235 electoral votes, how many were cast in favor of President Monroe?

Answer: 231

As there was no opposing party to speak of, Monroe ran unopposed. He garnered 231 of the 232 electoral votes cast (there were 3 abstentions). A New Hampshire delegate cast the lone vote against Monroe, naming John Quincy Adams on his ballot. Adams' father, former president John Adams, was a delegate from Massachusetts, casting his vote in favor of President Monroe.

9. Which newspaper gave to Monroe's presidency the sobriquet, "Era of Good Feelings"?

Answer: Columbian Centinel - Boston

In the first summer of his presidency (1817), Monroe set out on a tour of America. Each stop proved to be more successful than the previous one, with crowds enthusiastically greeting the new U.S. president. The warm greeting that New England Federalists gave the Republican Monroe led the Columbian Centinel to declare that this was an "era of good feelings," to emphasize the lack of political partisanship in America.

The "good feelings" were, however, only superficial, as political factions were emerging, fueled by the divisive issues of slavery and protectionism.

10. From which king of England did Monroe descend?

Answer: Edward III

Monroe was a descendent of King Edward III through his paternal grandfather, Andrew Monroe.

Source: Author trammgr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
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James Monroe: Feelin' Good! Trivia Quiz

Known for the Monroe Doctrine, James Monroe was the last of the Revolutionary leaders to ascend to the highest office in the land. Test your knowledge of James the Lesser.

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