Era of Good feelings

Understanding Compromise

  • Definition: A compromise is an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

  • Importance of Compromise:

    • It is essential for resolving conflicts, especially in politics, where differing viewpoints must be reconciled to achieve progress.

  • Potential Issues with Compromise:

    • Can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes if neither party feels fully accommodated.

    • Might smooth over significant issues rather than addressing them directly.

Learning Objectives

  • By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Explain why the period known as the Era of Good Feelings has its name.

    • Analyze the geographic and political impacts of the Missouri Compromise and predict its future effects on the nation.

Overview of Early U.S. Presidents

  • First four presidents:

    1. George Washington

    2. John Adams

    3. Thomas Jefferson

    4. James Madison

  • Fifth president: James Monroe

    • Term: 1817 - 1825

    • Elected from: Virginia

    • Occupation: Planter, Politician

    • Political Party: Democratic-Republican

The Era of Good Feelings

  • Time Frame: 1816 - 1825

  • Characterization:

    • Marked by optimism and nationalism post-War of 1812.

    • Nationalism defined as pride and loyalty to one’s country overriding historical regional identities.

    • Four forms of Nationalism emerged:

    1. Political

    2. Economic

    3. Judicial

    4. Foreign Affairs

Political Nationalism during Monroe's Presidency

  • James Monroe became the fifth president and was elected in 1816 and 1820.

  • Goals of Monroe's presidency:

    • Promote national unity.

    • Enhance America's power internationally.

    • Establishment of a de facto one-party system (Democratic-Republicans) leading to the decline of the Federalist Party post-War of 1812.

Electoral Votes Overview

  • Representation in electoral votes during 1816 and 1820 showcased different states’ contributions in presidential elections, demonstrating party dominance across Northern and Southern states.

Economic Nationalism: The American System

  • Proposed by Henry Clay, focused on promoting economic unity through three main components:

    1. Establishment of the Second Bank of the United States to stabilize currency and control state banks.

    • The First Bank's charter was allowed to expire in 1811.

    1. Tariff of 1816 aimed at promoting U.S. industry and limiting British goods.

    • This was the first significant protective tariff in U.S. history.

    1. Expansion and enhancement of national transportation infrastructure, including roads and canals.

    • Examples: the Cumberland Road and Erie Canal.

How Tariffs Work

  • Definition of a Tariff: A tariff is a tax on imported goods that raises their price, encouraging consumers to buy domestically produced items.

  • Example:

    • American-made cloth costs $4.00 a roll.

    • British-made cloth costs $5.00 a roll without tariff; with a 25% tariff ($1.00), the cost of British cloth becomes $6.00.

The Erie Canal

  • Construction began in 1817, connecting New York City and the Midwest.

  • Developed a transport route for goods and industrial supplies.

  • Inspired a network of canals across the Northeast enhancing trade and connectivity.

Judicial Nationalism

  • John Marshall’s Supreme Court strengthened the national government’s power, concluding that states cannot limit federal authority.

  • Promoted the doctrine of “implied powers” through the elastic clause in the U.S. Constitution.

Major Supreme Court Cases

  1. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Verified the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States; established implied powers doctrine.

  2. Cohens v. Virginia (1821): Affirmed federal courts' authority over state courts.

  3. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): Supported federal government's right to regulate interstate commerce.

  • Impact: Increased the federal government's power over states significantly.

Nationalist Foreign Policy

  • Monroe and John Quincy Adams’ policies aimed to expand and protect the U.S.

  1. Rush-Bagot Treaty (1817): Prevent conflicts over Great Lakes region.

  2. Convention of 1818: Set the U.S.-Canada border at the 49th parallel.

  3. Adams-Onis Treaty (1819): Acquisition of Florida from Spain.

  4. Monroe Doctrine (1823): Reserved the Western Hemisphere for U.S. interests, asserting non-interference in European affairs.

Sectionalism and the Missouri Compromise

  • Sectionalism defined as loyalty to one’s state or region rather than the whole nation.

  • Key leaders:

    1. Henry Clay (West) - Advocated for western interests and supported the War of 1812.

    2. John C. Calhoun (South) - Supported southern interests, particularly slavery.

    3. Daniel Webster (North) - Opposed the War and advocated for northern economic development.

The Debate over Slavery and Missouri Compromise

  • The Missouri Compromise was necessary due to the debate over whether new states should be admitted as free or slave states.

  • The Louisiana Purchase created new territories to consider.

  • Key Points:

    1. Missouri entered as a slave state.

    2. Slavery prohibited north of the 36°30′ line.

    3. Maine was admitted as a free state to maintain the balance.

    4. Future admissions would alternate between free and slave states.

  • Consequences: Rise of sectionalism in the nation.

Political Dynamics Post-Missouri Compromise

  • 1821 Union Composition:

    • 24 states (11 free, 11 slave) demonstrating the delicate balance between regions.

  • Population:

    • Free states: 5,152,635

    • Slave states: 4,485,818

Future Assignments

  • Mapping westward expansion and the expansion of slavery is vital for understanding future dynamics and conflicts in American history.