The Era of Good Feelings
A James Monroe Museum
Virtual Exhibit
Introduction
James Monroe was the 5th President of the United
States. After his first inauguration, a Boston
newspaper coined his term the “Era of Good
Feelings.” His presidency is known for a time of
nationalism, growth and political unity.
This exhibit will examine different aspects of
Monroe’s two terms to evaluate whether or not
Monroe’s Presidency should be considered an Era
of Good Feelings.
|The Exhibits|
Politics
People Groups
Click an Object to Enter
Economics
Politics
• During his presidency, Monroe completed a
tour of the states.
• Monroe appointed Cabinet members of
differing views in an attempt to ease tensions.
• The Federalist Party dissolved, marking the end
of the two parties until after Monroe’s
presidency. He ran for re-election unopposed.
James Monroe’s Tour
The setting of this painting
is the north facade of the
President's House. James
Monroe is the tall figure in
the center of the painting
at the base of the steps.
The group of people
around him are "well
wishers" gathered to greet
the president on his return
from his tour of the
northern states in 1817.
“Return of Monroe to Washington from a
Northern Excursion, 1817” by Pietro Bonanni
Interpreting the Primary Source
• What is the mood of this picture?
• What does this picture tell you about the start
of Monroe’s presidency?
• How might the artist’s perspective play a role in
interpreting the painting? What do you think
the artist’s opinion was on the scene?
Expansion and Relations
• The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817 demilitarized
the British and American borders.
• New states were admitted to the Union during
Monroe’s presidency: Mississippi 1817, Illinois
1818, Alabama 1819, Maine 1820, Missouri
1821.
Treaties
http://mrcapwebpage.com/VCSUSHISTORY/eraofgoodfeelings.html
Questions
• How would a one-party system impact the way
the government operates?
• How did America’s border relations influence
American’s view of their country?
Conclusion
• The dissipation of the Federalist party provided
a brief period of relative political unity.
• After the War of 1812, America strengthened
its borders. This ended existing strife with
Spain and England. These resolutions allowed
America to focus on domestic issues.
|The Exhibits|
Politics
People Groups
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Economics
Native American Relations and Slavery
• 1818: Seminole Indians attack American soldiers and their
families in Georgia. In response, Andrew Jackson invades
and captures Pensacola, without presidential authority from
Monroe. Monroe returns Florida to the Spanish, but with a
warning that Spain must control the Indian population there
or cede Florida to the United States.
• 1819: Spain cedes Florida to the United States in the AdamsOtis Treaty.
• 1820: The Missouri Compromise draws a regional line
prohibiting slavery in the North and allowing slavery in the
South. Maine is admitted to the Union as a free state and
Missouri as a slave state.
Round bronze medal with profile of James
Monroe and the words "James Monroe
President of the U.S. A. D. 1817" on the front.
Reverse has two hands clasped with crossed
peace pipe and tomahawk above and words
"Peace and Friendship." Presented to various
Native American leaders.
JM76.325
Hand-beaded pouch-type
bag. Presented to Elizabeth
Monroe at the White House
by Pawnee leaders.
JM76.306
Questions for Discussion
How did the United States view Native Americans
and slaves during Monroe’s presidency?
How do these events involving Native Americans
and slavery impact your interpretation of the
“Era of Good Feelings?”
|The Exhibits|
Politics
People Groups
Click an Object to Enter
Economics
Economics
• The American System
– high tariffs
– Second National Bank
– focus on internal improvements (roads and canals)
• The Panic of 1819
Reading a Primary Source
Second Inaugural Address
Washington, March 5, 1821
"Under the present depression of prices, affecting all the productions of
the country and every branch of industry, proceeding from causes
explained on a former occasion, the revenue has considerably
diminished, the effect of which has been to compel Congress either to
abandon these great measures of defense or to resort to loans or
internal taxes to supply the deficiency. On the presumption that this
depression and the deficiency in the revenue arising from it would be
temporary, loans were authorized for the demands of the last and
present year…
continued on next slide
Reading a Primary Source
“Anxious to relieve my fellow-citizens in 1817 from every
burthen which could be dispensed with, and the State of
the Treasury permitting it, I recommended the repeal of
the internal taxes, knowing that such relief was then
peculiarly necessary in consequence of the great exertions
made in the late war. I made that recommendation under
a pledge that should the public exigencies require a
recurrence to them at any time while I remained in this
trust, I would with equal promptitude perform the duty
which would then be alike incumbent on me…
continued on next slide
Reading a Primary Source
“By the experiment now making it will be seen by the next
session of Congress whether the revenue shall have been so
augmented as to be adequate to all these necessary purposes.
Should the deficiency still continue, and especially should it be
probable that it would be permanent, the course to be
pursued appears to me to be obvious. I am satisfied that under
certain circumstances loans may be resorted to with great
advantage. I am equally well satisfied as a general rule, that the
demands of the current year, especially in time of peace,
should be provided for by the revenue of that year.”
JAMES MONROE
Reading the Primary Source
• What factors does Monroe site for the cause of
the economic crisis?
• What is Monroe’s attitude regarding the
potential for an economic recovery?
• What measures does he recommend to
improve the economy?
Questions for Discussion
What caused did the Panic of 1819?
How might it have altered Americans’ views on
the state of their nation?
Conclusion
• America enjoyed a period of economic
prosperity until the Panic of 1819, the result of
high tariffs and national bank policies.
• Monroe viewed this event as the natural
fluctuation of a growing economy.
Conclusion
You decide: Was James Monroe’s presidency an
Era of Good Feelings?
• What aspects of Monroe’s presidency were
harmonious?
• What factors might make Monroe’s presidency not
an Era of Good Feelings?