1819-1848 (Missouri compromise- treaty of guadalupe hidalgo)

The Missouri Compromise of 1820

was a legislative agreement that aimed to maintain the balance between free and slave states in the United States. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36° 30' latitude line, with the exception of Missouri.

Why was there a Missouri Compromise?

In 1819 Missouri applied to join the Union as a slave state which would tilt the balance of states. Northern states opposed this. To balance this state, Maine, a free state was created. The Missouri Compromise helped decrease the sectional conflict between the North and South over the expansion of slavery into new territories. Aimed to preserve the Union by maintaining a balance of power between free and slave states.

The Era of Good Feelings 1815 - 1825

• It marked a period in which many Americans shared a sense of unity and national purpose after the tribulations of the War of 1812.

• War of 1812— America’s first military win which made people feel more at ease, nationalistic ,victory in the Second Barbary War (1815)

• The patriotic poem, Star Spangled Banner (1814), by Francis Scott Key written in this period

• This era was characterized by the decline of the Federalist Party and the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party, leading to a lack of partisan conflict.

• Economically, it was a time of rapid growth, with a focus on infrastructure improvements, westward expansion, and industrialization.

• Additionally, issues related to the Bank of the United States and tariffs emerged as debates sparked over national economic policies.

War of 1812

A military conflict between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815, primarily over maritime rights and issues related to trade and expansion.

President James Monroe (1817-25)

• The fifth President of the United States, he is known for the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European nations against further colonization in the Americas and highlighted a period of national unity and territorial expansion.

• He served two terms during the Era of Good Feelings, focusing on national unity and economic growth.

• Democratic-Republican

• Ultimate goal of national unity and eliminating political parties altogether from national politics.

Monroe doctrine (1823)

A policy articulated by President James Monroe that opposed European colonialism in the Americas, asserting that any intervention by external powers would be viewed as a threat to the U.S. and its interests.

Federalists

• Support for the Constitution: Federalists advocated for a strong central government and supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing it was necessary to maintain order and preserve the union.

• Key Figures: Prominent Federalists included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They wrote the Federalist Papers to argue for the Constitution's adoption.

• Beliefs: They believed that a centralized government could provide for a more effective defense, regulate commerce, and maintain stability.

• Concerns: Federalists were worried about the potential for chaos and disorder under the Articles of Confederation, which they viewed as too weak.

Anti-Federalists

• Opposition to the Constitution: Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing that it would create a government that was too powerful and would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty.

• Key Figures: Notable Anti-Federalists included Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Richard Henry Lee. They argued for amendments to protect individual rights.

• Beliefs: They emphasized the importance of local governance and feared that a strong federal government would lead to tyranny.

• Concerns: Anti-Federalists were particularly concerned about the lack of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution, which they believed was essential to protect citizens' freedoms.

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is comprised of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, primarily drafted by James Madison. These amendments guarantee essential rights and liberties, such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Sectional Interests (1820-1850)

Sectional Interests (1820-1850)

Definition: Varying economic, social, and political goals between distinct regions of a nation.

North:

• Economy: Developed a mixed economy, including manufacturing and industry alongside agriculture.

• Social: More urbanized and saw an influx of immigrants. By 1850, six out of the nine million immigrants to the USA resided in the North.

• Slavery: By 1820, all Northern states had abolished slavery. Many in the North increasingly viewed slavery as morally wrong and incompatible with the values of the United States.

• Political: Generally favored tariffs, internal improvements, and government intervention in the economy.

• Key Figures: Leading Whigs like Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

South:

• Economy: Primarily agrarian, heavily reliant on slave labor for large-scale cultivation of cash crops like cotton and tobacco.

• Social: More rural and less industrialized than the North. Southern culture emphasized values like honor and tradition, often leading to a more defensive reaction to perceived insults.

• Slavery: Viewed as economically essential and defended using constitutional rights. Saw the expansion of slavery into new territories as crucial for maintaining their way of life and political power.

• Political: Generally opposed tariffs and government intervention in the economy. Supported states' rights and the ability of individual states to determine their own laws regarding slavery.

• Key Figures: Leading Democrats like Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun.

Key Points of Contention:

• Expansion of Slavery: The question of whether slavery should be allowed in new territories acquired through westward expansion became a major source of conflict.

• Tariffs: Southerners viewed tariffs as harmful to their agricultural economy, as they increased the cost of imported goods. Northerners, on the other hand, supported tariffs as a way to protect their growing industries from foreign competition.

• States' Rights: Southerners argued for the right of individual states to govern themselves and make their own laws, particularly regarding slavery. Northerners, while acknowledging states' rights, believed in the supremacy of the federal government on certain issues, particularly those that impacted the nation as a whole.

National Interests (1820-1850)

National Interests (1820-1850)

• Preserving the Union: Despite the growing sectional divisions, there was a strong desire among many Americans to maintain the unity of the country. Politicians sought compromises to balance the interests of different sections and avoid disunion.

• Westward Expansion: The acquisition of vast new territories fueled national ambition and a sense of Manifest Destiny, but also raised the contentious issue of how to govern these territories and whether to permit slavery within them.

• Economic Growth: The nation experienced significant economic growth during this period, driven by factors like westward expansion, industrial development in the North, and the booming cotton industry in the South. However, differing economic interests and policies, such as tariffs, contributed to sectional tensions.

• Political Stability: The two-party system, with the Democrats and Whigs as the dominant political forces, provided a framework for national politics. However, as sectional interests intensified, maintaining political stability and finding common ground became increasingly challenging.

Challenges to National Interests:

• Compromises on Slavery: Attempts to resolve the issue of slavery expansion through compromises, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, ultimately failed to bridge the growing divide between North and South.

• Rise of Sectionalism: As differences over slavery and other issues deepened, sectional identities and loyalties intensified, challenging the idea of a unified nation.

• Growing Abolitionist Movement: The increasingly vocal abolitionist movement in the North further heightened tensions with the South and contributed to the polarization of public opinion on the issue of slavery.

Southern Whigs

Southern Whigs

Key Beliefs:

• Support for states' rights and limited federal interference in Southern affairs.

• Protection of Southern economic interests, particularly related to agriculture and slavery.

• Unease with the growing abolitionist movement in the North and its potential to disrupt the Southern way of life.

Key Issues:

• Preservation of slavery: Southern Whigs viewed slavery as an essential institution for their economy and society. They defended it as a necessary evil and resisted any attempts to restrict its expansion.

• Maintaining political power within the Union: Southern Whigs sought to balance their loyalty to the Union with their commitment to protecting Southern interests. They often clashed with Northern Whigs on issues related to slavery and economic policy.

Key Leaders:

• Henry Clay (Kentucky), who tried to bridge the divide between North and South through compromise but ultimately failed.

• John Tyler (Virginia)

Economic Focus: Agricultural interests, particularly plantation agriculture. The South was characterized by large-scale farming of crops like cotton and tobacco, which required a considerable amount of unskilled labor – thus the reliance on slaves6.

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Policy Positions:

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Favored lower tariffs to avoid government intervention in the economy and protect their agricultural exports3.

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Supported states' rights, believing that individual states should have autonomy over issues like slavery3.

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Social Views:

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Generally more conservative compared to Northern Whigs4.

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Supported slavery as it was essential to their agrarian economy, but views on its expansion varied6.

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Note: Southern Whigs faced a dilemma as their national party's stance on slavery increasingly conflicted with the interests of their region, contributing to the party's eventual demise. The issue of Texas was one example of this conflict. When President Tyler, who was not affiliated with a political party at the time, pursued the annexation of Texas, the Whigs, who held a majority in the Senate, rejected the treaty7. Some Southern Whigs, however, supported annexation, highlighting the division within the party on the issue of slavery and expansion

Difference between Northern & Southern Whigs

Northern Whigs became increasingly opposed to slavery and its expansion, while Southern Whigs fiercely defended the institution as essential to their economy and way of life. The following key issues fueled the rift between the two factions:

● Slavery: The expansion of slavery into new territories became a major point of contention, as Northern Whigs sought to limit its spread, while Southern Whigs fought to preserve its existence and expansion.

●Economic Policy: Northern Whigs favored policies like protective tariffs and internal improvements that benefited their industrial interests, while Southern Whigs often saw these policies as detrimental to their agricultural economy.

● States' Rights: Southern Whigs were strong advocates for states' rights and limited federal government intervention in their affairs, a stance that put them at odds with Northern Whigs who believed in a stronger national government to guide economic development and promote national unity.

Northern Whigs

While Northern Whigs generally agreed on using the federal government to support economic development and modernization, there were internal disagreements, especially regarding slavery.

Think of it this way:

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Economic Issues: Northern Whigs were largely united in their support for policies like high tariffs to protect their industries from foreign competition and federal funding for infrastructure projects like railroads and canals. They believed these policies would help create a strong national economy that would benefit the North in particular.

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Social Issues (Slavery): This is where divisions emerged. While many Northern Whigs opposed the expansion of slavery on moral and political grounds, others were more concerned with preserving national unity and avoiding conflict with the South. Some adopted a more gradualist approach, hoping to see slavery slowly fade away over time, while others actively supported the abolitionist movement, advocating for the immediate end of slavery.

Northern Democrats

Term: Northern Democrats

Definition: A faction within the Democratic Party in the mid-19th century. They were distinct from Southern Democrats, who were more pro-slavery.

Key Beliefs:

●Supported westward expansion.

●Advocated for popular sovereignty (allowing residents of territories to decide whether to allow slavery).

●Supported the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to address the issue of slavery in new territories.

Key Figures:

●Stephen Douglas (Illinois Senator and champion of popular sovereignty)

●Lewis Cass (Michigan Senator)

Significance:

Northern Democrats played a crucial role in the escalating tensions over slavery. Their advocacy for popular sovereignty contributed to the political divide that ultimately led to the Civil War.

Southern Democrats

Term: Southern Democrats

Definition: A powerful faction within the Democratic Party in the mid-19th century, representing voters primarily from the Southern states. They were staunch defenders of slavery and states' rights.

Key Beliefs:

●Believed in the preservation of slavery as an economic and social institution.

●Championed states' rights, arguing that individual states should have autonomy in deciding matters related to slavery.

●Opposed federal interference in the affairs of Southern states, particularly on the issue of slavery.

●Supported westward expansion with the intention of extending slavery into new territories.

Key Figures:

● John C. Calhoun (South Carolina Senator and leading voice for states' rights and slavery)

● Jefferson Davis (Mississippi Senator who became the President of the Confederate States of America)

Significance:

Southern Democrats played a crucial role in the escalating tensions over slavery and the secession of Southern states, ultimately leading to the Civil War. Their unwavering commitment to slavery and states' rights made compromise difficult and contributed significantly to the nation's division.