US History
Fort Burrows
11.3 – Unity and Division
READ pgs 342-347
Main Idea:
Despite some tensions between different sections, the nation enjoyed an “era of
good feelings” after the War of 1812.
Vocabulary:
Era of Good Feelings - the eight years of James Monroe’s presidency, 1817 to
1825, when the democratic republicans dominated the
nation’s politics
sectionalism - loyalty to a state or section rather than to the whole country
American System - program for economic growth promoted by Henry Clay in the
early 1800s; called for high tariffs on imports and federal
funds to improve transportation
internal improvements - improvements to roads, bridges, and canals
McCulloch v. Maryland - 1819 Supreme Court case which ruled that states had no
right to interfere with federal institutions within their borders
Gibbons v. Ogden - 1824 Supreme Court case which upheld the power of the
federal government to regulate interstate commerce
interstate commerce - trade between different states
Setting the Scene:
In Charleston, a cook named Abigail Jones put her advertisement in the news
paper early. Turtle meat would be available for sale on July 4 only. When Americans
celebrated the Fourth of July in the early 1800’s, turtle soup was one of the two most
popular holiday foods.
What was the other? For a hot summer holiday like the Fourth, Americans
loved the rare treat of ice cream. In Boston, a Mr. Shindles advertised “ice creams, of
the best quality” in four flavors. At Vauxhall gardens in Charleston, sellers warned
people to come early, before all of the ice cream was eaten.
After the War of 1812, Fourth of July celebrations became more popular than
ever. Americans were proud of their country. They were especially proud that the
nation was growing rapidly. Improved transportation allowed the opening of new
lands to settlers. New industries were appearing. In Congress, a new generation of
political leaders sought to direct this expansion.
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US History
Fort Burrows
An Era of Good Feelings
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In 1816, Republican James Monroe easily defeated the Federalist, Rufus King
Election confirmed how seriously the Federalist party had declined in popularity
Monroe was the last Revolutionary War officer to become President
Monroe was 60 years old, wore dated clothes and a powdered wig
Americans like his ‘old-fashioned’ ways
He made a goodwill tour of the country and created a new sense of national unity
This time period was called the “Era of Good Feelings”
Monroe ran for a second term in 1820 and no candidate opposed him – Federalist
party had disappeared
Three Sectional Leaders
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Conflicts between political parties declined but disputes between sections of the
nations increased
3 ambitious men took center stage in Congress
Each represented a different section of the country and played key roles for 30 yrs
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Calhoun of the South
 John C. Calhoun, from South Carolina, spoke for SOUTH
 Calhoun had immense energy and was nicknamed “young Hercules”
 He was slim and handsome, had deep set eyes and a high forehead
 Supported the War of 1812
 Defended of SLAVERY
 Opposed policies that would strengthen the power of the federal gov’t
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Webster of the North
 Daniel Webster, of New Hampshire, spoke for the NORTH
 Webster was the most skillful public speaker of his time
 He was an impressive sight – a “great cannon loaded to the lips”
 Opposed the War of 1812
 Felt slavery was EVIL
 Wanted gov’t to take a larger role in building the nation’s economy
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Clay of the West
 Henry Clay, from Kentucky, spoke for the WEST
 He charmed both friends and rivals – “Gallant Harry of the West”
 Clay was leader of the War Hawks
 Pushed for the War of 1812
 Favored a more active role for the central government
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US History
Fort Burrows
During his long service to his country, Henry Clay was a firm defender of the Union.
Clay helped guide his country through some of its most difficult crises. Three times he
helped resolve bitter disputes that threatened to tear the nation apart. One office that
eluded him was the presidency. He was defeated three times in efforts to become
President. Yet, he was proud that he had held to his principles. Once, when asked if
he was bitter about his failure to become President, he responded: “No, I had rather
be right than President.”
¿¿ What was Calhoun’s (SOUTH) view ?
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What was Webster’s (NORTH) view ?
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What was Clay’s view (WEST) ?
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Helping American Businesses Grow
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After the War of 1812, Calhoun, Webster and Clay had to deal with serious
economic issues
The US economy faced severe problems due to the lack of a national bank
The charter for the Bank of the US ran out in 1811
The economy suffered without the Bank to lend money and regulate the nation’s
money supply
Republicans like TJ and Madison opposed a national bank but many believed it
was needed by 1816
They supported a law to charter the second Bank of the US
By lending money and restoring order to nation’s money supply, the Bank helped
American businesses grow
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Protection From Foreign Competition
 Another problem facing the US was foreign competition – Britain!
 Embargo Act and War of 1812 kept British goods out of the US
 In response, the US established their own mills and factories and the
industry grew until 1815
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A Flood of British Goods
 With the end of the War of 1812, British goods flooded the US
 British could make and sell goods more cheaply
 British manufacturers sold cloth in the US for less than it cost to make it
hoping to hook Americans and put rivals out of business
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US History
Fort Burrows
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Congress Passes a Protective Tariff
 The British plan caused dozens of New England businesses to fail
 Angry owners asked Congress to place a protective tariff on all goods
imported from Europe
 Congress passed the tariff of 1816 which greatly raised taxes on imports
 The increase made imported goods far more expensive than US goods
 Higher tariffs led to angry protests from southerners who had few factories
 They did not benefit from the tariff and bought many British goods
 Southerners felt the tariff made northerners rich at the expense of the South
¿¿ How did the Tariff of 1816 affect…
the North ? ______________________________________________________________
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the South ? ______________________________________________________________
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Clay’s American System
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The bitter dispute over tariffs reflected the growth of sectionalism
Sectionalism is loyalty to one’s state or section rather than to the whole nation
Americans identified themselves as southerners, northerners and westerners
Henry Clay wanted to promote economic growth for ALL sections
His program was called the American System
-supported effort to charter a new bank
-called for high tariffs on imports
-urged Congress to use money from tariffs to build roads, bridges, canals
American System never fully went into effect so tariffs remained high and little
money was spent on internal improvements
The Supreme Court Expands Federal Power
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After Congress chartered the second Bank of the US, Maryland tried to tax the
bank to drive it out of the state
James McCulloch, the Bank cashier, refused to pay the tax
In the case McCulloch vs. Maryland in 1819, the Court ruled that the states had
NO right to interfere with federal institutions within their borders
The ruling strengthened the federal power and allowed the Bank of the US to
continue, which helped the economy expand
In Gibbons vs. Ogden in 1824, the Court upheld the power of the federal gov’t to
regulate trade between states
Court struck down a NY law that tried to control steamboat travel to NJ
Only the federal gov’t had the power to regulate interstate commerce
This decision helped the economy by making it easier for gov’t to regulate trade
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US History
Fort Burrows
1. What role did sectionalism play in the nation during the Era of Good Feelings ?
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2. How did Congress help American industry after the War of 1812 ?
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3. What was Henry Clay’s American System ?
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4. How did the Supreme Court give more power to the federal government ?
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