The Era of Good Feelings
Introduction: Following the War of 1812 and the end of the Federalist Party, the
Democratic-Republican party was the sole political party in the US and very popular for
having “won” the war of 1812. As a result, this time period of national unity came to be
known as the Era of Good feelings. This nationalism was short lived and soon gave way to
sectionalism.
The government looked at the US as a land ready to expand economically and socially.
Therefore, Henry Clay put forth what became known as the American system. By combining
a variety of national level plans, Clay and the American government sought to unite the
country even further. The North would be given a tariff to protect their businesses and
make them able to sell their goods to North & South. A renewed National Bank would
provide economic stability for the country, making a national currency that made it slightly
more expensive for Western settlers to borrow money, but also provided a secure way to
invest in the North & South. Finally, a nationally funded program to build roads, canals and
railroads would unite the ever expanding West to the rest of the country, making it possible
for them to transport and sell their goods. However, when President Monroe vetoed the
Bonus Bill that would have funded this program, the American System fell apart and
resulted in an increase in sectionalism where each region only worried about their own
interests.
Likewise on the government side, the Supreme Court under John Marshall continued to
expand the Federal government at the expense of individual state power. In Cohen v.
Virginia, Marshall ruled that the Supreme Court can overturn any state law that violates the
Constitution. In McCulloch v. Maryland, Marshall overturned a state courts ruling, saying
the Federal Supreme Court had the final say in any court rulings that they disagreed with.
The government was also able to deal temporarily with the issue of slavery. When the state
of Missouri applied to become a state, the balance of the senate was in danger. If it was a
slave state, the slave states would gain two more senators; if it entered as a free state, the
senate would be unequal in favor of the North. Ultimately the Missouri Compromise brought
Missouri in as a slave state and Maine in as a free state and the southern border of
Missouri was established as a boundary for slavery.
The Era of Good Feelings begins to end with a stronger Federal Government, expanding
country and growing sectionalism. As we will see in the coming units, political parties begin
to form to support or oppose new ideas, policies and issues as the country continues to grow.
Key Terms/Key Figures
You should be able to define, explain, and apply the following terms as necessary:
American
System
Henry Clay
James
Monroe
Era of Good
Feelings
Marbury v.
Madison
American
System
Tariff of
1816
National Bank
Cohens v.
Virginia
McCulloch v.
Maryland
Monroe
Doctrine
Missouri
Compromise
36-30 Line
Key Facts
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Era of Good feelings is due to the idea that only one political party (DemocraticRepublicans) and would avoid political fights
The American System will unite the country economically, socially and politically but
fails to organize support of the President
Sectionalism starts to divide the West, North and South
Missouri applies for state hood and displays more sectionalism in a pending fight to
win the Senate
Missouri Compromise provides solution that preserves the balance in the Senate and
attempts to stop the spread of slavery
Monroe Doctrine tells Europe to stay out of the Western hemisphere and asserts
American power…hidden behind the shield of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
The Supreme Court continues to expand power in variety of decisions that reduces
the power of the States
Key Themes
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What was the American System? How would it unite the country? How did it fail?
Explain the Missouri Compromise and why this was a temporary solution
Explain the Monroe Doctrine and the audience it was intended for