The Rise of Nationalism and
The “Era of Good Feelings”
The Era of Good Feelings (1815—1825)
(See Ch. 7, sect.3)
James Monroe
[1816-1824]
The Election of 1816
[The Demise of the Federalist Party]
The Era of Good Feelings
James Monroe was elected President
in 1816
Re-elected in 1820
During his presidency:
the economy grew rapidly
spirit of nationalism continued to
grow
optimism and positive thinking about
America’s future as a nation
The Election of 1820
Political/Geographic
Nationalism
Nationalism & Foreign policy:
Diplomatic Successes
Monroe’s era
secured U.S.
territories and
borders (largely
thanks to JQA)
John Quincy Adams:
A bulldog among spaniels!
The Convention of 1818
•UK & US shared fishing rights off Newfoundland
•Joint occupation of Oregon Territory
•Settled northern boundary of US at 49th parallel
1819 – Adams-Onis Treaty
Agreement between U.S. & Spain
Negotiated by Sec. of State John Q. Adams
U.S. acquired Florida and established a firm boundary
between the
Louisiana
territory and
western Spanish
territory.
America
The Monroe Doctrine: MYOB
still had a series of foreign outposts in North America to
deal with—Spain & Fr. to the south, Russia to the north.
United States did not want
any additional foreign
involvement on their
continent.
J.Q. Adams responded with
the Monroe Doctrine:
“as a principle in which the
rights and interests of the
United States are involved
. . .the American
continents… are
henceforth not to be
considered as subjects for
future colonization by any
European powers....”
Economic Nationalism
Tariff of 1816
Raised tariff rates on certain goods in order to
protect U.S. manufacturers=first protective
tariff in U.S. history
Nationalism & Domestic Policy:
The American System
Promoted by Henry Clay – speaker of the House of Reps
System was designed to implement policies to unify the
country:
protective tariffs
Maintain national bank
build roads and canals for easier trade and commerce
(internal improvements)
Supported in the Northeast & West
Little support in the south (tariff issue)
Opposition was strong enough that only a few proposals for
internal improvements were passed—Madison/Monroe not sure
Constitution authorized spending of federal $$ on roads &
canals
The American System:
The National [Cumberland] Road
The Erie Canal
1817 – 1825
363 miles Buffalo to
Albany
Much further than any
other American or European
canal
Nationalism and
Preserving Republican Values
See Ch. 8, sect. 2
Renewing Republicanism
Republicanism stresses several key concepts;
notably, the importance of civic virtue, the benefits of
universal political participation, the dangers of
corruption, the need for separate powers and a
healthy respect for the rule of law.
In the U.S.
condemned
inherited social privilege
to “rise from nothing” was honorable, not a
disgrace
Slowly expanding voting rights
the sense that everyone should contribute
Republican Motherhood
Americans felt the key
to producing civic virtue
was raising virtuous
young men
Republican
Wives/the idea was
Republican Mothers
Cult of Domesticity
Parenting during
early industrialization
became primarily
maternal
The home is seen as
a feminine, moral
realm
Women should be
proud of their role as
in their cult of the
home
Education Requirements of Republican
Motherhood
Seminaries for women
were established for
“intellectual and moral
instruction”
Women studied history,
accounting, home
economics
Women were expected
to embody “piety and
purity”
See “Republican Motherhood” reading
Judicial Nationalism:
The Marshall Court
John Marshall’s Background
Served as Washington’s
Aide in the Revolutionary
War.
Served as Secretary of
State under John Adams.
Appointed Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court by
Adams.
Marshall’s Politics
He was a Federalist
He had a “loose”
interpretation of the
Constitution.
He believed strongly in
implied powers.
He developed “Judicial
Review”
He believed strongly in the
“national supremacy clause”.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Key Facts: Southern
States sought to limit
the power of the
National Bank
Maryland placed a
high tax on the Bank.
SC decision: 1)
Bank is constitutional,
“necessary and
proper” clause.
2)States can not tax
federal institution,
Supremacy Clause.
Constitutional
issues: Loose
interpretation of the
Constitution, esp.
necessary and proper
clause.
Dartmouth Col v Woodward
(1819)
Key Facts: NH
attempted to seize
control of private
college board/revoke
private charter.
SC decision:
Charters are legal
contracts, gov’t
cannot interfere.
Dartmouth remained
private.
Constitutional
issues: Loose
interpretation of the
constitution,
signficance of
“contracts.”
Judicial Review of
State Decisions.
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Key Facts: NY gave
Ogden’s co. a monopoly
over Hudson River Ferry
Service.
US gave Gibbons co.
control of the same river.
SC decision: Gibbons is
allowed to offer his
services.
Federal supremacy overinterstate commerce.
Constitutional
issues: Loose
interpretation of the
Constitution, federal
government regulates
inter-state commerce.
Nationalism
vs. Sectionalism
Nationalism vs. Sectionalism
Ch. 8, sect. 3 & 4
Nationalism: that belief that the interests of a
nation as a whole are more important than
regional interests or the interests of other
countries
Sectionalism: the belief that one’s own section, or
region, of the country is more important than the
whole.
Early 1800’s feelings of nationalism swept
America . . . but the undercurrent of sectionalism
was ever-present.
The Second Great Awakening
Americans began to attend more religious revivals
Preachers began to tell people that “their destiny lay
in their own hands” and encouraged them to live a
moral life and work hard.
Told that people had the opportunity and
responsibility to do God’s work on earth.
It shaped an era in American history known as the
“era of reform”—nationalistic spirit of making America
better.
This period lasted from about 1830-1860 and was
aimed at reshaping American society.
The Panic of 1819—Americans Are Introduced to
the Business Cycle
•Second Bank of US tightened
credit. (in response to global
economic issues)
Panic of 1819=bank failures,
deflation, unemployment,
bankruptcies and imprisonment
for debt.
Impact
•Most severe in the west—lots of
land speculationlots of
forclosures.
•upset nationalist feelings,
West feels ignored by Eastern
interests.
The Missouri
Compromise
US Population Density
1810
1820
•What to do about slavery as the nation grows?
•1819 – Missouri applied for statehood
•Would upset the balance of 11 free & 11 slave states
Initial Proposal:
The Tallmadge Amendment
Prevented the further introduction of slaves into
Missouri
Children born to slaves in Missouri after would be
freed at the age of 25 gradual emancipation
Passed by the House, not in the Senate.
Enraged the South—saw it as first attempt by
North to end slavery.
The debate would last almost two years . . .
Ultimate Solution:
The Missouri Compromise
Agreement:
Missouri
would be admitted as a slave state
Maine
was to be admitted as a free state
This preserved the balance of representation
Slavery
was banned north of the 36 30’ line
The Compromise of 1820:
A Firebell in the Night!
Significance of Missouri Compromise
• Slavery issue increasingly became the sectional
issue/conflict.
•South solidified three key arguments:
•states controlled their internal commerce and
affairs.
•Congress could not infringe upon property
rights.
•slavery no longer a “necessary evil” (as in
Revolutionary times), but rather a “positive
good.”
Slavery & The Expanding South
By 1817 the southern plantation system was rapidly
expanding. (Internat’l trade ended 1808smuggling
and domestic slave trade)
North had thought slavery would “die out.”
Cotton became the new cash crop.
America had begun to expand
out west – new states admitted.
(LA, MS, AL)
More landmore cotton
productionmore
$$$$increase in the
need/demand of slave labor.
Poor whites suffered in the south
as well.
Cotton Production
Historians have traditionally labeled
the period after the War of 1812 the
“Era of Good Feelings”. Evaluate the
accuracy of this label, considering the
emergence of nationalism and
sectionalism.
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