Chapter 7 National Growing Pains
Analytical Themes
- Systematic destruction of the Native American Culture
- Rise of the Common Man under Jacksonian Democracy
- Growing nationalism during the postwar period
National Growing Pains Chapter 7
I. Madison in Power
A. Even though the Republicans had political trouble, Madison had no difficulty defeating the
Federalists.
B. Madison was similar to Jefferson on political issues; the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 was
nearly as troubled as the Embargo of 1807.
C. Berlin Decree 1806- France cut off Britain from European trade via a blockade.
D. Orders-In-Council- Britain reacted to Berlin Decree and cut off neutral trade with France
and blocked French ports.
E. Later Secretary of Treasury Gallatin expressed huge concern over trade deficits.
F. Nathaniel Macon's 2nd Bill- Macon's Bill #2, 1810, lifted all restrictions on trade and
promised France and England to only bar war ships from American ports. But if either nation
violated U.S. neutrality, the non-intercourse act would go back into effect.
G. American business soared but trade was largely with Britain (due to British control of the
seas).
H. Napoleon tricked Madison -the French announced the removal of the Berlin decree and
Madison reapplies Non-intercourse with Britain -- French did not repeal Berlin Decree and The
Order-In Council stayed intact.
I. American businessmen were irate and Madison refused to admit his error.
II. Tecumseh and the Prophet
A. Other motivations towards a British fight were the actions of the British and Canada
encouraging Indians to attack the frontier.
B. The British wanted Indian alliances in case of war.
C. General Henry Harrison and corrupt white settlers aggressively drove Native Americans
from their lands at an alarming rate and with no remorse- p. 188.
D. Harrison regarded the native population as "Wretched Savages" - Powerful racist.
E. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet created a fantastic alliance. Tecumseh's
genius was realized by all, and feared by Harrison.
F. Harrison marched on Prophetstown at Tippecanoe and drew the Indians into a fight.
G. The battle was a draw but the momentum of Indian Alliance was broken. Result: Sporadic
Warfare
H. The Western settlers blamed the British (not themselves) and the cry for war now rang from
two sections of the USA.
III. Depression and Land Hunger
A. Westerners blamed British for agri-depression due to restrictions at New Orleans and trade
restrictions.
B. Westerners were also land hungry and wanted more virgin land to acquire- even Canada?
C. Madison thought that gaining Canada would be profitable in food sales to the Indies and
Naval stores sales to Britain.
D. Westerners and eastern merchants were more patriots than imperialists or merchants and
gained the name 'War Hawks'.
E. Many young leaders in Congress were War Hawks and want to force the repeal of the OrdersIn-Council in order to defend national honor and to secure true independence.
IV. Resistance to War
A. Federalist John Quincy of Massachusetts felt the war was for greed by backwoodsmen.
B. Shipping and commercial interests in the east were also opposed to the war - devastation of
their industry would result. They predictably urged patience.
C. Historians and intellectuals of the time argued that by going to war with Britain we aided a
tyrant and genuine threat to freedom in Napoleon.
D. Negotiations were slow- in 1812 the British were ready to moderate their maritime policy and
the Orders-In-Council. However, when a change in British policy was reported, the War Hawks
had the momentum and 5 days later the USA declared war on Britain.
V. The War of 1812
A. The illogical war was also ill-planned with: shortages of supplies, training, troops, navy and
army.
B. The American Navy was weak consisting of only 7 American warships and a few merchant
ships with cannons.
C. Some success- USS Constitution and USS United States Decatur - pp. 191-192.
D. Once the British Navy focused on the USA, the American fleet had to stay in harbor.
E. Privateering was more effective, taking 1,300 British ships.
F. Canada was a great prize for westerners - Henry Clay of Kentucky bragged about our
superiority and commitment-when the Western Army was raised (20,000) Kentucky had 400
enlistees.
G. Leadership from the Revolutionary War Era showed poorly- William Hull surrendered
Detroit after running from the British and Tecumseh.
H. Ft. Niagara also fell and New York militia refused to cross the river and support our troops.
I. We also lost Ft. Dearborn and Michilimackinac - Canada was too tough for the USA military.
J. Perry the Naval commander of the USA built a fleet and defeated the British at Put-in-Bay,
our only real victory. 25% of his force were Black Americans- huge causalities and clear bravery
- quote-p. 192.
K. Harrison was pushed back at the battle of Thames River but Tecumseh was killed.
L. The British then sacked Buffalo and controlled the eastern seaboard by 1813.
VI. Britain Assumes the Offensive
A. 1814 - Napoleon fell after failures in Russia and on the European continent.
B. Now the British could focus on the Americans- 14,000 troops were sent to Canada along with
huge naval forces to the Port of New Orleans and the East Coast.
C. British harassed the Chesapeake region and drove up the Potomac to sack the nation's capital.
Admiral Cockburn routed the capitol and looted the Whitehouse; his men also burned many
other national buildings.
D. They moved up the river to Baltimore; the USA stopped the advance of Britain and the
bombardment of Ft. Mc Henry.
VII. "The Star Spangled Banner"
A. Francis Scott Key traveled the next morning to Ft. McHenry and wrote the "Star Spangled
Banner." He felt it was the turning point in the war; he was close in his estimation.
B. The British retreated to the ocean and could not hold any land due to lack of popular support
and means of control.
C. Americans, enraged by the sacking of Washington D.C., were enlisting at record rates.
D. On Lake Champlain the USA defeated British troops on both land and water.
VIII. The Treaty of Ghent
A. American sent a powerful negotiating team to Europe, lead by JQ Adams.
B. Initially the British were slow to give concession due to the predicted success of their 1814
three-prong attack.
C. American success, growing pragmatism of the British military, and long wars of attrition led
to British concessions.
D. The treaty lead to free seas, no impressment, and a status quo.
IX. Hartford Convention
A. Two key events occurred prior to the news of the Treaty of Ghent.
1. HARTFORD CONVENTION
2. CONVENTION WAS PLANNED AMONG STATES TO REVISE THE
CONSTITUTION
B. Federalists in New England attempted to make a political power play during the discontent of
the war. Federalists thought they were going to lose.
C. Goals of the Hartford Convention, and the later Constitution convention, were self-serving to
Federalist bias:
1. repeal 3/5 Compromise
2. require 2/3 vote for admission of new states or declaration of war
3. one term for presidents
4. reduce congressional powers on issues such as embargoes
5. make it illegal for naturalized citizens to hold office.
D. Federalists lost creditability due to the treaty and their secretive approach.
X. Battle of New Orleans
A. Communication breakdown
B. The only decisive American victory of the war due in large part to he leadership of Andrew
Jackson.
C. Jackson was tough and talented- Old Hickory, Sharp Knife.
D. Jackson was a veteran Indian fighter; he defeating the Creeks at the battle of Alabama and
others at Horseshoe Bend.
E. The British, under Pakenham, attempted to sneak up on New Orleans. Jackson was alerted and
after a few skirmishes Jackson set a trap based on perfect tactics - Results: 2,000 British
causalities, USA: 13 dead, 58 wounded or missing.
F. The battle accelerates Jackson's political career and rising nationalism.
XI. Fruits of Victory
A. Huge increase in popularity for Jackson
B. Indians are the big losers- 23 million acres of land.
C. Federalist did little and the Hartford Convention marked the ending of the party.
D. The Federalist did not want mass democracy, and mass democracy was a victor for
republicans; politicians were forced to take heed of the needs of the masses.
E. Peace will follow with prosperity and good times, similar to those of Jefferson's first term.
F. Sectionalist conflict and foreign entanglements were dangerous concerns.
G. The USA was not involved in European conflict until 1917, and world conflict with
Europeans until 1898.
XII. Anglo-American Rapprochement
A. British viewed the USA as "grimy Republican Thumb Print" but the "twisted the lions tail"
(sparred, but with no real fights) as a strategy.
B. USA and British trade became more dominant by 1815 and peace was profitable.
C. Signing of the Rush-Bagot Treaty demilitarized the Great Lakes, which resulted in the
region having the longest uncontested border on the planet.
D. 1818 Boundary Convention establishes the 49th parallel from lake of the Woods as the
boundary between the USA and Canada.
E. Fisheries convention solved fishing rights conflicts in Newfoundland area.
XIII. Transcontinental Treaty
A. Settlement of Florida by the USA -Indians were attacking from the weak Spanish controlled
area of Florida.
B. New President James Monroe (last of the Virginians and patriots) sent Andrew Jackson to
deal with the problem of Renegade Seminole Indians.
C. Jackson crushed the Seminoles and took two Spanish forts with his army in the Florida area.
D. The Spanish quickly went to the table and the Adams Onis treaty of 1819 . Further
negotiations established the Louisiana line with Spain. The USA dropped claims to the Texas
area but removed Spain from the claim of Oregon. Now only Russia, England, and USA claimed
Oregon; Fur Trade the current issue, later, rich valleys for settlers.
E. Russo-American Treaty 1824- Russians dropped claim to Oregon and claimed to 54° 40°.
XIV. The Monroe Doctrine
A. Two issues of encroachment in the Western Hemisphere
1. Russian Encroachment on fishing, shipping, and Oregon
2. French and Spain indicated they wanted to garrison forces in Latin America to
reentrench mercantilistic control on new nations gaining freedom.
B. The Monroe Doctrine did not receive its formal title for decades.
C. The British attempted to work the USA into a joint agreement of overseeing the western
Hemisphere with Britain kept rival European powers out.
D. JQ Adams convinced Monroe to act alone rather than being a puppet of the British Crown
E. In Monroe's 1823 address to Congress he made his proposal.
F. Represented an expansion of American Independence
1. Declaration of Independence
2.1783 Treaty of Paris
3. Washington's Neutrality Proclamation 1793
4. Jay's Treaty removing British troops from USA
5. Louisiana Purchase
6. War of 1812 and treaty of Ghent
7. Monroe Doctrine -Cites the USA's complete independence from Europe
G. John O'Sullivan will capture this spirit in 1845 with Manifest Destiny.
XV. The Era of Good Feelings
A. Monroe was of high moral character and had a long distinguished career as a patriot, governor
of Virginia, senator and president.
B. The Monroe Presidency enjoyed good times and had little conflict to deal with. He is not
classified as a particularly strong president because he did not initiate any major programs,
reforms or deal with crisis (except Monroe Doctrine, but that was Adams' work).
C. Monroe was a two-term president with no real opposition for his second term. He rode the
tide of the "Era Good Feelings", term described by old Federalist in Boston- Monroe trip led to
healing.
D. Monroe did not deal with rising sectionalism- his laissez-faire Jeffersonian view was
unrealistic. For this reason, some historians classify Monroe as a second-rate president.
E. Less tensions existed between Hamiltonians and Madison due to Madison's charter of the
1816 2nd National Bank. Other Hamiltonian economic policies also remained intact, such as
Tariff of 1816 for industry.
F. Also Federal aid for canals and other transportation improvements like the National Road
began in 1811 and finished in 1818.
G. The Era of Good Feelings lasted until the Panic of 1819, along with the continued rise of
sectionalism and new party divisions.
H. Common Question: Evaluate the validity of the Era of Monroe (1816-1824) as the era of
good feelings.
XVI. New Sectional Issues: Protection, Western Lands, Banking, Slavery
A. Tariff and the Panic of 1819 led to sharp sectional differences.
B. Infant industries accelerated in growth as a result of the protections provided by the Embargo
of 1807, War of 1812, and the Tariff of 1816.
C. The British were dumping cloth, frustrating American textile interest.
D. Tariffs generated huge revenues and sectional tension - graph p. 205.
E. South disliked the tariff that favored the Northeast yet punished the cotton producers. The
westerners were split on tariff issue- they favored protection of hemp industry but suffered in
other areas.
F. The 2nd National Bank was tolerated by the Republicans (the first national banks charter was
allowed to expire in 1811).
G. Both banks constitutionality were in question until John Marshall decided in favor of the
bank in 1819.
H. Most National Bank stock was held by British investors, causing alarm in America. State
banks also wanted to take over this profitable business.
I. The 2nd National Bank had weak leadership. This policy of lack of credit and heavy use of soft
money was followed by state banks. When the Panic of 1819 hit, the Second National bank
lacked both collateral and hard money to support the economy- State banks issued inflated
currency to inflate property value purchased in the west.
Result: speculators deepened the depression.
J. Langdon Cheves, a hard money advocate, suceeded the 2nd National Bank's presidency. He
tightened credit and actually added to the panic's wrath on the USA. (Loose money and credit
used judiciously would have aided recovery.)
K. This led to westerners developing a strong bias against the bank.
L. Western Land was a divisive issue as well- the westerners wanted land cheap and easy, but the
North and South saw the western land as an asset for revenue.
M. Lowering of the land minimum purchase from 320 acres to 80 acres was popular and kept the
price at $2 per acre.
N. Internal improvements of lands were also sectionally divisive - National Road
(Cumberland) v. Harbors.
O. Slavery was the most divisive issue of the time, but little controversy existed due to a
balance of slave and free states being added through 1820. The constitutional compromise of
the "peculiar institution" worked for decades.
P. South-pro slavery North-anti-slavery West-generally pro slavery, for now.
XVII. Northern Leaders
A. New leadership arose to fill the void left by aging patriots.
B. JQ Adams the best known for his treaty work. The former Federalist shifted Republican in the
1807 Embargo Act and Louisiana Purchase.
C. Adams was far-sighted, intelligent, and hardworking, partly from his father's expectations.
D. Adams set high standards that few, including himself, could reach.
E. He was open minded on tariffs being high, opposed slavery, and supported national projects
like roads and canals.
F. Adams was driven to become president and will make compromises that later plague him.
G. Daniel Webster was a presidential candidate in 1824, but dropped out so Adams could gain a
New England majority.
H. He debated Robert Hayen in Hayen-Webster debate (Boston Based) on State's Rights and
Federalism.
I. Webster opposed the Tariff of 1816.
J. Webster was bright and motivated, a great speaker that held a strong bias toward the needs of
business and the wealthy.
K. Webster was against cheap federal loans and internal improvements; he voted against the
bank due to partisan voting and had opposed the Embargo of 1807- merchant bias.
L. Martin Van Buren from New York
1. He was bright and able, all respected his political ability
2. Never cornered himself on politics-"The Little Magician".
3. All understood that Van Buren was going places politically, but where and on what
issues were often unclear by design.
XVIII. Southern Leaders
Crawford
Georgian Secretary of Treasury under Monroe, represented the Yeoman farmers.
Was an effective Secretary of Treasury by limiting the impact of the 1819 depression on farmers
- many politicians did not like Crawford, due to his abilities.
J.C. Calhoun
Monroe's Secretary of War
From a planter class in South Carolina; a sectionalist of the highest ability, even Adams
acknowledges this- p. 210.
Calhoun was brilliant in debate, an intellectual and a formidable man in politics.
XIX. Western Leaders
A. Henry Clay(THE GREAT COMPROMISER)-Kentucky, War Hawk (pro War of 1812expansionists)
1. One of the most able politicians, bright (not as bright as Calhoun or Adams) , charismatic,
great speaker and compromiser.
2. Supported the high Tariff that would pay for roads and canals and wanted to build the
Maysville road between Virginia and Kentucky.
3. Will develop the American System using tariff for western improvement leading to America
self sufficiency. Clay felt sections benefiting from a favorable balance of trade within the nation.
4. Great political vision, able to motivate the people and meet their needs.
5. Was a slave owner but opposed slavery and wanted to return slaves to Africa slowly. He felt
the institution was evil.
B. Thomas Benton
1. Missouri senator and strong expansionist
2. Advocated for the small farmer homesteads and free land for western farmers.
C. Henry Harrison
1. Military leader- forceful personality but he had great appeal.
2. Will be elected president
3. His views were not particularly clear. He was anti-Indians and pro-west.
XX. Missouri Compromise
A. 36° 30' line, Congressman Jessie Thomas wrote it and Henry Clay (THE GREAT
COMPROMISER) presented it.
Issue: Balance of free and slave states in the senate. One of many compromises regarding the
peculiar institution.
B. The Compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state if Maine came in as a free state to
keep a balance of states free and slave. Established 36° 30' line as north south boundary.
In the long run: the boundary is nullified by the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
C. One of many compromises-putting off the inevitable conflict.
D. Tallmadge Amendment from New York opposed the addition of slavery in new territoriesslavery became the hot sectional issue. This passed in the house but was defeated in the senate.
Sets precedent for sectional voting
E. Three Main Positions Regarding Slavery:
1)Popular Sovereignty (Stephen Douglas)- designed to please both the North and South. It
allowed the people of the territory to decide whether or not to legalize slavery.
2)Free Soil (Davis Wilmot)- belief that slavery shall not exist in the territories.
3) Pro-Slavery ( John Calhoun)- belief that slavery shall be able to exist in the new territories.
F. Northerners were not interested in the rights of blacks of the evils of slavery they were
motivated by their own political needs and feared the new states with the 3/5ths compromise
would shift political power.
G. The Missouri Compromise challenged the constitution and the nation-it was so divisive that
many feared the future - Clay struck the compromise and secured relative peace until 1850.
Remember: Clay's compromise only prolonged the inevitable civil war for ten years.
XXI. The Election of 1824
A. Other points of division
1. 1816 internal improvement bill for roads and canals
2. 1822 bill for upkeep on the National Road-sectional issue -Randolph opposed from New
England
3. 1824 a new and higher tariff was put into law -Webster was opposed and spoke against the bill
but it passed.
B. Calhoun did not press the tariff issue due to an upcoming presidential election not wanting to
appear extreme.
C. Due to the collapse of the Federalist party the Republican nominating machine had fallen
apart due a lack of opposition and internal factions.
D. Election of 1824
1. Jackson, Crawford, Adams, Clay, Calhoun.
2. A split vote of amazing proportion.
3. Jackson had the most votes 99 to Adams 84, Crawford's 39 and Clays 37.
4. The decision was thrown to the House of Representatives.
E. Clay swung support in the House to Adams and JQ Adams became president.
F. Jackson was irate and claimed this action to be a "Corrupt Bargain". Clay was given the
Sec. of State position.
G. The party split between Jackson's Democrats and Adams National Republicans.
XXII. John Quincy Adams as President
A. Errored almost immediately as a president-his use of patronage was small but the Corrupt
Bargain of Clay and other appointments made him vulnerable to public attack.
B. His hard line on credit, support for the National Bank and aggressive foreclosure polices
played poorly in the west and south.
C. He appeared to insensitive and aloof of the needs of America-Still holding on to Federalist
baggage.
D. He promoted the building of observatories, fine arts buildings, National University - reeking
of elitism and royalism?
E. He did propose huge building programs for internal improvements that were larger than Clay's
dreams could conceive.
F. A clear departure from Jeffersonian politics by the son of the last Federalist who conspired the
Alien and Sedition acts.
G. Arguably, Adams was politically inept as president.
XXIII. Calhoun's Exposition and Protest-more sectionalism
A. Tariff Abominations of 1828- the federal government reduced the Tariff of 1816 but South
Carolina wanted the tariff to be reduce further and almost lead to Civil War. Western products
had high duties on them (lead, hemp)
B. The alliance of the Northeast and West lead to "log rolling" in congress and the south seemed
to be on the short end of the law.
C. South Carolina Exposition and Protest written by Calhoun and adopted by the South Carolina
legislature.- This document ground in Locke's theories and brilliant political logic, proposed the
nullification of the tariff of 1828 due to states rights.
D. Calhoun had accepted the VP position under Jackson and was hopeful that nullification would
not be necessary due to executive action.
XXIV. The Meaning of Sectionalism
A. Powerful force consuming the nation
B. Western Section was growing and the American System of Clay was leading to polarization.
The South and North East were developing distinct biases and fears.
C. These fears would be exploited later.
D. Although prosperity and patriotism were also strong and most Americans wanted to pursue
their dreams of opportunity-that existed within all sections of the nation.
Key Terms
-Berlin Decree of 1806
-Judiciary Act of 1801
-Non-Intercourse Act of 1809
-Chesepeake-Leopard Affair
-Battle Of New Orleans
-Treaty of Ghent
-2nd U.S. Bank
-Missouri Compromise
-Monroe Doctrine
-Tariff of Abominations
-The Foote Resolution
-Popular Sovereignty
-Sectionalism
-Era of Good Feelings
-Hartford Convention
-Transcontinental Treaty
-National Road
-Election of 1824
-Kansas-Nebraska Act Key People
Key People
-Andrew Jackson
-Henry Clay
-John C. Calhoun
-David Wilmot
-James Monroe
-John Quincy Adams
-John Adams
-General Henry Harrison
-Thomas Jefferson
-Stephen Douglas
-Josiah Quincy
-Tecumseh
-Oliver Perry
-Napoleon
-Langdon Cheves
-John Marshall
-Daniel Webster
-Martin VanBuren
-Thomas Benton