Essential QuestionEssential Question:–Which was the more powerful force during the Era of Good Feelings: nationalism or sectionalism?
The Era of Good Feelings
(1816-1825)
The Era of Good Feelings After the War of 1812, America
experienced an “Era of Good Feelings” characterized by:–An extremely popular president–The emergence of a 2nd
generation of U.S. leaders–Dominance by the Republicans –A surge in nationalism that
united the country & improved U.S. industry & transportation
Monroe as PresidentJames Monroe was elected
president in 1816 & 1820 with a clear set of goals:–To promote national unity –To promote America’s power in
the worldRepublican dominance of the
presidency & Congress helped push through a series of new laws
He appointed Democrats, Federalists, Southerners, Northerners to his cabinet; including Sec of State John Q Adams
The Great TriumvirateBy 1816, a wave of new leaders
shaped the antebellum era:Henry Clay (Republican, KY) :
–Represented the “West”–Speaker of the House–Proponent of national
economic development (“American System" to promote industry & markets for farmers)
The Great TriumvirateBy 1816, a new wave of leaders
shaped the antebellum era:John C. Calhoun (Republican, SC):
–Represented the “South”–Sec of War; VP–He was the nation's
leading proponent of states' rights (he embraced nullification)
The Great Triumvirate By 1816, a new wave of leaders
shaped the antebellum era:Daniel Webster (Whig, MA):
–Represented the “North”–Congressman; Sec Congressman; Sec
of Stateof State–Strong proponent of
nationalism & strong critic of states' rights
While they did not always agree, this “Great Triumvirate” of Clay, Calhoun, &
Webster enthusiastically supported national economic development
Politics After the War of 1812The Dem-Repubs traditionally
represented limited gov’t, states' rights, & strict construction
But, without Federalist opposition, the Dem-Repubs adopted many traditionally Federalist policies:–National economic development –A permanent army–Transportation improvements–A national university in D.C.
Who else are you going to vote for?
Henry Clay’s American SystemHenry Clay’s American SystemAmerican System in
1816 proposed the creation of:–The 22ndnd Bank of the U.S. Bank of the U.S. to
stabilize U.S. currency –Tariff of 1816Tariff of 1816 to promote U.S.
industry & limit the importation of British manufactured goods
–A nat’l system of roads & canalsThe “American System” helped
unify North, South, & West
Jefferson let the charter of the 1st BUS expire in 1811
1st significant protective tariff in U.S. history
All were proposed by Hamilton & opposed by Republicans in the 1790s
Helped pave the way for future RR construction & western Indian removal
Judicial Nationalism John Marshall (1801-1835) used
the Supreme Court to strengthen the power of the national gov’t:–Exerted the power of the
national gov’t over the states–Rejected the claim that states
could check powers of the national gov’ t
–Affirmed the loose construction argument of the elastic clause
Judicial NationalismDartmouth v. Woodward (1819):
gov’t cannot interfere with contracts between private parties
McCullough v. Maryland (1819): Congress possesses powers not explicitly stated in Constitution; Congressional laws are supreme to decisions made by the states
Gibbons v. Odgen (1824): interstate commerce is power reserved for national gov’t
Nationalist Foreign Policy President Monroe & Sec of State JQ Adams developed a nationalist foreign policy agenda
Rush-Bagot Treaty (1817): to avoid conflicts along the Great Lakes, the U.S. agreed not to take Canada & Britain not to invade the U.S
The Convention of 1818 set the US/Canada border set at the 49º
Nationalist Foreign PolicyMonroe & JQ Adams turned their
attention to acquiring Florida:–Andrew Jackson took it upon
himself to end Indian attacks on Georgia from Spanish Florida
–Jackson’s military advances & U.S. success in the War of 1812 helped force the Adams-Onis Adams-Onis TreatyTreaty (1819) that ceded Florida & Oregon to U.S.
Also, Spain assumed Florida would eventually be annexed
U.S. agreed to pay Spain $5 million & renounced claims to Texas
Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)
Nationalist Foreign PolicyWhen Latin American nations
revolted against Spain, the U.S. supported the new republics:–European powers disliked these
liberal rebellions & were tempted to re-conquer them
–Monroe DoctrineMonroe Doctrine (1823) warned European nations to stay out of the Western Hemisphere & the U.S. will not interfere in Europe
The U.S. will protect Latin American independence
The U.S. will act independently & will protect its sphere of influence
Sectionalism in the Era of Good Feelings
Settlement of the Trans-MississippiThe end of the War of 1812 unleashed a rush of pioneers into the western
territories
The 2nd BUS made credit available for farmers to
purchase land
Many settled in the West to escape
overpopulation, rising land prices, & worn-out
soil in the East
Settlement of the Trans-MississippiCongress quickly admitted
5 states to the Union:
Louisiana (1812)
Indiana (1816)
Mississippi (1817)
Illinois (1818)
Alabama (1819)
By 1810, 1/7th of the U.S. population lived in the West; By 1840 over 1/3rd lived in the West
Sectional Disputes The Era of Good Feelings started
with a wave of national unity, but sectional disputes between the North & South emerged & would dominate politics for next 40 years–Disagreed over the use of
protective tariffs, especially when cotton prices fell in 1820s
–Disagreed over slavery in the western territories & states
Missouri CompromiseIn 1817, Missouri applied for
statehood as a slave state & revealed U.S. sectional rivalries:–North resented Southern control
of presidency & its 3/5-inflated representation in House of Reps
–South feared a Northern conspiracy to end all slavery
–Equality had been maintained by alternating admission of “free” & “slave” states added to the US
Population was growing more rapidly in North, so House of Reps favored Northerners
NY rep Tallmadge wanted Missouri only if its state constitution provided for
the gradual elimination of slavery
American Slave Population, 1790-1820
Missouri Compromise (1820)Missouri Compromise (1820):
–Missouri became a slave state–Maine (which broke from Mass)
was admitted as free state–Slavery was banned elsewhere
in the Louisiana Purchase above the latitude of 36°30'
The Missouri controversy exposed a deep rift between North & South
Missouri Compromise, 1820-1821
ConclusionsThe “Era of Good Feelings” led to:
–An improved American economy–Better transportation–More territory & more clearly-
defined borders–A foreign policy in Latin America–But…sectional problems
between the North & South
Discussion Questions
Both Alexander Hamilton & John Marshall were Federalists who believed in a strong national gov’t. Who was more influential in shaping American history? Explain
Which policy will be more important in U.S. history: Monroe’s foreign OR domestic policy?
Essential QuestionEssential Question:–How did U.S. foreign policy change from the presidencies of Washington to Monroe?
American Foreign Policy Activity
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