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 world

Republican 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 of StateCongressman; Sec of 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):Dartmouth v. Woodward (1819): gov’t cannot

interfere with contracts between private partiesMcCullough v. Maryland (1819):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):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-Adams-Onis TreatyOnis Treaty (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 independenceThe 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?