The Era of Good Feelings, which is the term used to describe James Monroe’s two terms in office, led to the growth of the United States. Under James Madison’s presidency, the war of 1812 occurred, which led to an era of increased nationalism and progress as seen by many historians, and it was to a large degree. But at the same time, the issues of slavery arose and sectionalism increased, which also played a significant role during the Era of Good Feelings. Both nationalism and sectionalism affected the United States economically, for needs such as internal improvements and politically, for the growth of the democratic-republicans. However, out of the two, nationalism was of greater importance, during this era because it was the growing factor …show more content…
Politically, the power of the Democratic-Republican with support of the people strengthened nationalism by the American Expansion westward. The Westward Expansion was the a major source of nationalism in the Era of Good Feelings because the United States gained more land west that was previously owned by other nations such as France. Also the Monroe Doctrine increased nationalistic pride because it effectively told European powers that they can’t colonize further in the Western Hemisphere without intervention form the United States, which in turn established the power of the United States. Through Economics, Congressman Henry Clay spoke to congress to motivate them for economic improvements within the country, such as levying a protective tariff to protect America’s industries from foreign competition and for internal improvements to be funded by the federal government. These proposed reforms expressed nationalistic pride and motivated Henry Clay to propose the American System to promote growth in all sections of the country with a protective tariff, national bank, and internal improvements. Historically, the reason for Clay’s plan for economic improvements was the War of 1812 because during this time, the war allowed for growth of the American industry due to foreign policies such as the Embargo Act of 1807 and Nonintercourse Act of 1809 (Document 4). …show more content…
The Northern and Southern states began to feel divided because of their regional differences. The main reason for their regional differences was of slavery. When Missouri requested for statehood in 1820 as a slave state, it caused trouble between the north and south because it would it tip the balance of the senate in the South’s favor because there was eleven free states and eleven slave states in the senate. As a compromise, Henry Clay proposed that Missouri enter as a slave state, Maine enters as a free state, and prohibit slavery in the Louisiana Territory above the 36˚30’. The Missouri Compromise greatly increased sectionalism in the South. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams supported the compromise, but he expressed that it only fixed the issue temporarily because slavery isn’t a resolvable issue unless the whole union is free of slavery. Adams implies to himself in his diary that he knows in the future that slavery would further separate the north and south but for now it maintained peace in the union (Document 5). Document 6 agrees with Document 5 because Thomas Jefferson says that increased compromise and putting off the issue of slavery will only increase sectionalism because it will lead to deeper hatred between the North and South. But the document shows bias as well because Jefferson is a slave owner himself and knows slavery is wrong but he
During the early 1800's France and Britain were at war and for many years America remained neutral. But, Great Britain began seizing American ships and impressing the Americans into the British Navy. In addition, Great Britain was supplying the Native Americans in North America with guns and, as a result America declared war on Britain in 1812. The phrase "Era of Good Feelings" was used to describe the administrations of Munroe in 1816 but the validity of this phrase is questioned. Many people might believe that the period after the war of 1812 was an "Era of Good Feelings" because of the nation's gain of nationalism and expansion of the country, but it was not because of growing sectionalism and state issues.
Historians have traditionally labeled the period following the War of 1812 as the “Era of Good Feelings.” Evaluate the accuracy of this label considering the emergence of nationalism and sectionalism.
Historians have traditionally labeled the period after the War of 1812 the "Era of good feelings". Although Nationalism did exist between regions of the United States, this was just a façade. Underneath this so-called nationalism there was a great deal of regionalism also known as sectionalism. Due to this great amount of sectionalism, the different way of living, the beliefs of tariffs and slavery brought the country to divide.
The period after the War of 1812 during the presidency of James Monroe is often referred to as the “era of good feelings” because of a feeling of nationalism, a feeling of pride and national unity. The end of the Federalist Party also provided the nation with a feeling of nationalism, for there was no political opposition toward the Republicans. This title, however, may not be the most accurate label for this particular time period, for this time period marked the beginnings of sectionalism, with heated debates over tariffs, the National Bank, and most importantly, over slavery.
Debates over which powers were rightly the states and rightly the federal governments were already tense and the question of whether slavery should or shouldn’t exist in the new territories of America, added on to the already strained relationship between the two sides. Document A describes this situation as a cup on the edge of the shelf, certain things almost pushing it over the edge such as the addition of new states being free or under a slavery economy. Many compromises were formed to try and keep states’ rights as well as keep power for the government. The south wanted to assert their authority over the federal government so they could abolish federal rights they didn’t support, this was
The period of James Monroe’s presidency has gained the term used worldwide as the “Era of Good Feelings”. It was adopted by this name because of Monroe’s action in visiting the U.S military basis and because of the spirit of nationalism and optimism gained by the people from the War of 1812. Foreign affairs exemplifies why this name is partly fact. However, the perception of unity that this era defines is somewhat misleading. Throughout this period, there were various problems that contradicted the era’s name. Some of the serious issues that divided the nation were economic depression and sectionalism.
The period after the war of 1812 was labeled “The Era of Good Feeling” by historians. Some people believe that this is an accurate label of this time period, but others disagree. Due to the emergence of sectionalism- concern with local interests, and nationalism- patriotic feelings and self pride, people had mixed feelings about this time period. Many people felt that times were high, and that nationalism and sectionalism could only bolster the union, while others thought that it was sectionalism and nationalism that caused disunion. Some of the documents used in this essay support the claim that the period after 1812 was an era of good feelings. Other documents will oppose this claim with proof from their own perspectives.
The “Era of Good Feelings” was a time period that lasted from about 1815-1824, and in this era there was increased nationalism and prosperity for the country. Still though, there were very crucial issues being argued over in that very time period. During President James Monroe’s two terms as president, the country’s patriotism was at a very high level and on the outside it seemed as though all were going extremely well. However there were problems within the country which were soon to be lifted to the
While some historians have dubbed the period after the War of 1812, an “Era of Good Feelings”, the continuous increase of events such as the Missouri Compromise, strengthened the sectionalism in the country and led to a contradiction in the title given to that time period. Politically, America grew more divided as more parties arose, separating the people by their different opinions on how the government should be run and ultimately, who should become our next president. Economically, there was tension between agriculturalists who continued to sink deeper and deeper in poverty as manufacturers continued to grow affluent, due to economic laws passed by the government which favored their growth. Therefore, while the period was labeled an “Era
An increase in nationalism after the War of 1812 reduced sectionalism and helped to further unite the nation. However, divisions over slavery, culture and lifestyles and economic structures caused a dramatic increase in sectionalism. These regional difference primarily formed between the northern and southern regions of the country. Therefore, regional differences significantly increased in the United States between 1800 and 1848.
“The Era of Good Feeling” was a time of increased nationalism and prosperity for the nation. This of course is not completely true, debates over many important issues created a crack in the outward appearance of harmony during President Monroe’s two terms. These issues include sectionalism, foreign policy of isolationism and the rights of states vs. the rights of the federal government.
a. Increased security and self-confidence after the war produced a heightened sense of “nationalism” people associating themselves with the nation first and their respective states second. A national literature developed in the works of Washington Irving and James Fennimore Cooper and in the construction of a new capitol building in Washington A revived Second Bank of the United States was established in 1816 this time with the (support or opposition) of the Jeffersonian Republicans. (Note: Modern students can be excused for finding a discussion about tariff policy a bit boring. This section covers the first of many tariff battles throughout the 1800s. Tariffs today are not a big deal because there is a worldwide trend to reduce duties on imports and because the government gets most of its revenue through income taxes. However, there was no income taxation until 1913 and the government therefore depended almost exclusively on tariff duties for its revenue. So it’s important to have a general understanding.)
The years following the War of 1812 became known as the “era of good feelings”. During this time you see the expansion of nationalism within the United States. It started mainly in the 1816 shortly before Monroe took office, and lasted until the end of his Presidency in the year of 1824. Before the “era of good feelings” there were certain events taking place that will lead up to this era. The first of these is the acquired land of the Louisiana Purchase from the French. Through this the United States was able to double its land. The gained independence from this purchase was able to keep other countries father away from the US’s boundaries and was able to separate the
During the Era of Good Feeling, while westward expansion was booming, a sense of unity and nationalism emerged as a result of the post-war reconstruction period as well as the decline of the federalist party; however, the Panic of 1819 caused a severe economic depression making this period not an Era of Good Feelings. Although the one party system was somewhat beneficial during the Era of Good Feelings, creating a false sense of political unity between the people, poor economic decisions lead to a depression. Sectionalism also increased between the northern and southern states over slavery, adding to political tensions between states and the federal government.
In the years following the War of 1812, the “Era of Good Feelings” evolved between the years 1815 and 1825. In the first half of this period, there was a strong sense of nationalism throughout the United States. However, political changes and economic differences between the states warped this nationalism into the sectionalism that divided the country into north, south and west regions. Celebrations of unity within the United States soon turned into disagreements concerning representation within the government and the differences within the national government caused by the emergence of different Republican factions. States distanced themselves from working collectively in a united economy. They were largely concerned with