Claiming the Continent

When President James IS Monroe took office in 1817, he gave his inaugural address in a scarred capital. The United States still was recovering from the War of 1812 (1812-1815), during which the British had set fire to the city.

- Sylvia Whitman

Yet Monroe spoke with pride about American accomplishments in his address. He also stressed the importance of international relations. He warned of dangers from abroad. He believed that European countries secretly hoped that the young democracy would fail. Then they could move in and carve up the rich territory. Monroe argued that the United States needed strong defenses and a ready military in case of attack. In addition, the country had to keep growing. It had to prove itself a powerful nation worthy of respect. "National honor is national property of the highest value," Monroe said.

The day after Monroe's inauguration, he appointed John Quincy Adams as secretary of State. Adams most recently had served as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts. He also had years of diplomatic experience, having served under every president beginning with George Washington. Adams's assertive foreign policy secured and expanded the borders of the United States from coast to coast.

First in a series of important treaties was the Rush-Bagot Agreement. American soldiers had tried to invade British North America (present-day Canada) during the War of 1812, and tensions had remained high along the border. Attorney General Richard Rush acted as Monroe's chief diplomat during the negotiations. He signed a disarmament treaty with British minister Charles Bagot in April 1817. It called for both sides to limit their navies on the Great Lakes. Congress ratified the treaty a year later. The agreement put the United States and Great Britain on friendlier footing.