- In 1776 directly after graduating from the college of William and Mary, James enlisted in the Continental Army and soon became an officer, and accompanied George Washington in New York, where he gained the guidance of this nations first president
- He took a part in the famous crossing of the Delaware
- Displaying bravery, courage and the ability to lead men, Monroe fought in the battles of Monomouth, Brandywine, Germantown and Trenton, in which he was severely injured in the shoulder from leading a charge against an enemy cannon
- Retired at the rank of Major
- In 1780 he was sent to NC by Thomas Jefferson to report on British advances
- After the war he studied law with Thomas Jefferson as a mentor
- He was elected to the Virginia Assembly in 1782 and then served on the Council of State, which advised the governor
- Elected to the Continental Congress in 1783
- He voted against ratifying the U.S. Constitution, he wanted a Constitution that allowed for the direct election of senators as well as the President, and the inclusion of a strong bill of rights
- In 1794 he became the US minister in France, which at the time was not easy because of the revolution
- His job became extremely difficult when France heard about the signing of the Jay treaty, and Federalists blamed him for deteriorating their relationship with France
- Then elected governor of Virginia in 1799, where he worked on public education and the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800
- 1803-1807 he was the US minister in Britain
- in 1805 he had a brief negotiating stint with the British to try and purchase the Gulf of Mexico but soon realized they had no intention to signing
- In 1808 he lightly challenged James Madison for the Presidency but never really pursued out of respect and the fact that they saw eye to eye on most every issue
- Because of the constant seizing of American ships, goods, and men by the British, President James Madison declared war on Britain (war of 1812)
- Because of the constant military defeats and unpopularity of the war, Madison's current Secretary of War resigned and Monroe took the job, re-organizing and strengthening the army, and when the British marched on Washington and burned the Capital and Whitehouse, Madison left him in charge, which gave him great respect amongst the country