James Monroe and the “Era of Good Feelings”

APUSH

James Monroe •  Dem-Rep Elected in 1816- Served

1817-25 •  Presidency had no real opposition •  Accomplishments: Florida, MO Comp and

Monroe Doctrine

Era of Good Feelings 1816-20 •  Characterized by- •  Nationalism – both cultural and economic •  Optimism – American Ideals and

Patriotism •  Political Good Will- One party, Rep.

dominates politics

Cultural Nationalism •  Voters were now younger, first generation

Americans. •  Different ideas from the “Founding

Fathers” Sit Down John! There is

a new sheriff in town.

•  People believed that the U.S. was entering into a period of unparalleled prosperity

•  The future of the country was west, no longer Europe

•  Nationalist and Patriotic themes dominated literature and art

Economic Nationalism •  Economic policy was directed towards: •  Supporting U.S. Industry •  Internal Improvements •  Protective Tariffs

•  Tariff of 1816 •  First real protective tariff, raised for the

sole purpose of protecting U.S. Industry •  Specifically the new industry created

during the War of 1812

Henry Clay’s American System •  H.C. rep. from Kentucky – Leader of the

House

•  American System: •  Protective Tariffs (of 1816) •  National Bank – (2nd National Bank –

1816) •  Internal Improvements – (Vetoed by

Monroe)

Panic of 1819 •  First Major Economic crisis in U.S. History

•  State Banks closed •  Deflation •  Bankruptcies •  Unemployment and Debtors Prison •  West was effected most because of land

speculation

Problems in the Rep. Party •  Jeffersonian Ideals vs. Clay’s Am. System •  Prewar of 1812 vs. Postwar of 1812: •  Many of Rep. leaders changed opinions

on Major issues

•  Daniel Webster of MA, opposed Tariffs then raised them in Tariff of 1828

•  John C. Calhoun of SC, Nationalist in 1812 – States Rights by 1828

» Webster

•  Political Factions and Regional differences (sectionalism) led to the Rep. nominating 4 candidates for Pres. In 1824. This split the votes, allowed J.Q. Adams to win with the support of Clay (corrupt bargain)

Western Movement •  Western settlement expanded under

Madison and Monroe •  Cleared Native Am. off of lands •  William Harrison (IN) and Andrew Jackson

(Fl and south) opened land to settlement

•  Economic Pressure •  Industrial slowing in New England and

need for more and bigger plantations had people looking West

•  Internal Improvements •  Roads over the Appalachians, canals,

steamboats, and early RR made for easier access to Western Lands

•  Immigration •  Land speculation and the West attracted

Europeans looking for a new start

Western States and Territories •  Territorial and State Gov wanted : •  “cheap money” from state banks •  Gov selling land at low prices •  Internal improvements •  The slavery question was always

prevalent in Western Politics

Foreign Relations •  Rush Bagot Agreement of 1817 •  U.S. and GB agreed to disarmament of the

Great Lake Region

•  Treaty of 1818 •  U.S. and GB settled the Louisiana Border

at 49th Parallel

•  Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819 •  Andrew Jackson had gone into Florida to

fight the Seminole Indians •  Against orders from President he also

fought the Spanish Gov’t •  In 1819, Spain settled on 5$mil payment

rather than face war

The Monroe Doctrine - 1823 •  Britain and U.S. had a common interest in

protecting North and South America •  Russian threatened Alaska

•  France, Austria and Prussia were looking to colonize

•  Spain was trying to get back land lost because of all the Revolutions in Latin Am

•  J.Q. Adams, Sec. of State decided it would be in U.S. best interests to act alone

•  Doctrine issued in 1823 State of Union •  NO PART OF AMERICAS OPEN TO

EUROPEAN COLONIZATION •  NO EUROPEAN COUNTRY CAN

MEDDLE IN AMERICAN COUNTRIES POLITICS