SSUSH7 Students will explain the process of
economic growth, its regional and national
impact in the first half of the 19th century,
and the different responses to it.
e. Explain Jacksonian Democracy, expanding suffrage, the rise of popular
political culture, and the development of American nationalism.
The development of American nationalism
After the War of 1812, the United States entered a period of introspection. America’s
leaders were determined never to be dragged into another international crisis that also,
through partisan political politics, nearly split the Union. The period became known as the “Era
of Good Feelings” and was dominated by one political party, the Democratic Republicans. The
critical feeling of the period was to promote and strengthen the United States by focusing on
internal improvements.
• After the first bank charter lapsed, regional banks printed their own currency without
the backing of specie. The War of 1812 exposed these weak currencies and many
investors and depositors were left without recourse when local banks failed.
Furthermore, local banks had refused to honor federal bank notes making it difficult for
the federal government to pay the army and purchase supplies. During this period of
growing nationalism, national finances were strengthened through the creation of a
new national bank that served as a depository for federal funds and stable source of
currency.
• A new tariff was passed in order to protect American industry from what was seen as
unfair trade practices by British manufacturers who had a reputation of dumping
cheaply produced goods on American markets to the detriment of American
manufacturers.
• The Supreme Court strengthened the federal government’s power through a series of
critical court decisions that backed the power of the new national bank to regulate
finances.
• The expansion of the nation westward was eased through new federal land purchasing
policies that made purchasing a homestead easier. New roads, canals, and river
improvements were made so that western farmers could market products in the
growing eastern cities.
The rise of popular political culture
During the “Era of Good Feelings”, campaigning was generally a tepid affair with
regional candidates promoting regional issues. The inconclusive “favorite son” election of 1824
and resultant “corrupt bargain” gave rise, once again, to a two-party system—the Jacksonian
Democrats and the National Republicans (led by John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay). Jackson’s
presidential campaigns caused an increase in public participation in politics, and things got
rough. Jackson’s side accused his opponent of flattering European royalty and of misusing
public funds. The opponent accused Jackson of unfaithfulness in his marriage, of massacring
Native Americans, of illegally executing convicted soldiers, and of dueling. These accusations
were publicized in songs, pamphlets, posters, and lapel buttons. A voter could find all these at
the first-ever campaign rallies and barbecues.
Jacksonian Democracy
President Andrew Jackson and his supporters shared a political philosophy later referred
to as “Jacksonian Democracy.” It sought a stronger presidency and executive branch, and a
weaker Congress. Out of respect for the common man, it also sought to broaden public
participation in government, so it expanded voting rights to include all adult white males, not
just landowners. Another principle of Jacksonian democracy was that politicians should be
allowed to appoint their followers to government jobs (Spoils System) as a way of limiting the
power of elite groups. Jacksonians also favored Manifest Destiny and greater westward
expansion of the United States.