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European powers considered retaking control
of the former colonies in the Americas
American lawmakers wanted to deter foreign
countries from taking lands that U.S may
someday claim
Example: Pacific Northwest
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Stated U.S would view any attempts to
further colonize the Americas as “dangerous
to our peace and safety”.
December 2, 1823
Also said U.S would not “interfere in the
internal concerns” of Europe
What does this mean?
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Americans were slowly developing their own
unique culture
What can we define as part of culture?
Does the culture developed then still
influence the way Americans live today?
French philosopher
“America is a land of
wonders, in which
everything is in
constant motion and
every change seems an
improvement”
 Americans no longer
imitating European
cultures like before
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Before 1800 American artists and writers
were paid little respect
Why was this true?
1825 Thomas Cole helped establish Hudson
River school
A group of artists whose landscapes both
depicted and celebrated the American
countryside
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American authors gained respect in early
1800s
Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper
and William Cullen Bryant
Proved Americans could create literature and
that people on both sides of the Atlantic
would respect American works
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Americans had unique version of the English
language
1828 new American English was published by
Noah Webster in Dictionary
It defined thousands of words that have never
been included in dictionary before
Why is this important?
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The belief that the interests of the nation as a
whole are more important than regional
interests or the interests of other countries
This spirit replaced the tendency toward
Sectionalism- the belief that one’s own
region of the country is more important than
the whole
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At what times in our history have we been
more inclined to be more nationalistic or lean
more towards sectionalism?
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Which one is “better” for our country?
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Pros/Cons for each?
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Chief Justice of Supreme Court from 18011835
Firm believer in strong national gov.
His court made two key rulings that reflected
growing feelings of nationalism and
promoted it by strengthening the national
government
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McCulloch v. Maryland
1819 pitted the state of
Maryland against the
national government
John Marshall sided with
national gov.
National Interests to be put
above states
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1824- case involved cutting-edge
transportation technology: steamboats
Rival steamboat companies operating in New
York
Aaron Ogden got permission from N.Y to run
his business. Thomas Gibbons had license
from national gov. to run his
Who do you think Marshall ruled with?
UNIFY YOUNG NATION
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Tariff to protect American
industries
Sale of gov. lands to raise
money for national gov.
Maintenance of national
bank
Government funding of
internal improvements or
public projects like roads
and canals
HENRY CLAY
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It was never implemented as a unified policy
However government did establish tariffs and
a bank
Shows how nationalist feelings and desire to
bring country together were on minds of
Americans at this time
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Americans were proud of their victory in War
of 1812
Beginning of so called “Era of good feelings”
James Monroe- Elected president in 1816
Served 2 terms (1817-1825)
Under Monroe, economy grew rapidly and
feeling of nationalism and optimism prevailed
JAMES MONROE
RUSH-BAGOT TREATY
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In 1818, signed with Britain
Provided for near complete
disarmament of eastern
part of border between U.S
and British-Canada
Convinced Britain to draw
western part of border
between U.S and Canada
along 49th parallel
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1819 Secretary of State John Quincy Adams
reached agreement with Spain
U.S acquired Florida and established
boundary between Louisiana territory and
Spanish territory to the west
Adams even convinced Spain and Russia to
give up their claims to disputed Oregon
Country and allow settlers to travel to Oregon
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Nationalism also inspired by rapid growth of
American settlement
By 1818 settlers spread beyond Mississippi
River into Missouri, most from South
1 in 6 settlers were enslaved AfricanAmericans
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When they applied to join the Union, it
caused an uproar
1819 there were 22 states in Union
Slavery was legal in half, illegal in other half
Equal balance gave equal representation in
U.S Senate
What would happen if a slave state was
admitted?
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1820 Missouri was admitted as a slave state
Maine was admitted as a free state
Thus the balance was preserved
Agreement also banned slavery in northern
part of Louisiana Territory.
Kept the balance of slave and free states
However feelings of sectionalism in North
and South were beginning to emerge