HIST 221 Test 2 Day 11

Overview of the Time Period (1815-1824)

• The decade following the War of 1812 is referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings" symbolizing a rise in nationalistic sentiment and the decline of partisan barriers.

First Seminole War (1817-1818)

• Led by Andrew Jackson as authorized by President Monroe.

• Aimed to push Seminoles back from the border and assert U.S. dominance over Florida.

• Historical debate on extent of Jackson’s actions beyond orders, notably the capture of Pensacola and Saint Marks.

• Resulted in Spain acknowledging weak control over Florida and led to negotiations on its acquisition.

Adams-Onís Treaty (1819-1821)

• Negotiated by John Quincy Adams, the U.S. Secretary of State.

• Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. without direct payment, but the U.S. agreed to handle claims against Spain.

• Spain relinquished claims to Oregon, which was significant for U.S. territorial ambitions.

• The treaty also established a definitive border between U.S. and Spanish territories leading to the designation of the treaty as the Transcontinental Treaty.

Implications of the Adams-Onís Treaty

• Strengthened U.S. claims to future territories including Oregon following Spain’s claims withdrawal.

• The U.S. simultaneously abandoned its claim to Texas, illustrating the complex nature of land claims and diplomacy of the time.

Convention of 1818

• With Great Britain, established a border between U.S. and Canada along the 49th parallel.

• Called for joint occupation of the Oregon Territory for 10 years, reflecting a complex territorial dispute.

Rush-Bagot Agreement (1817)

• Agreement post-War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain to demilitarize the Great Lakes; laid foundations for peaceful U.S.-Canada relations.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

• Response to Missouri’s application for statehood as a slave state which threatened a delicate balance of slave and free states (11 each at the time).

• Allowed Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining equilibrium in Congress.

• Established the 36°30' line, limiting expansion of slavery into certain territories north of this line in the Louisiana Purchase.

• Although aiming for balance, the compromise highlighted growing tensions around slavery which would escalate.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

• Formulated under President James Monroe with strong influence from John Quincy Adams.

• Declared that the American continents were closed to further colonization by European powers, asserting U.S. dominance in the region.

• Stated that the U.S. would not interfere in European affairs, establishing a form of isolationism.

Long-term Effects of the Monroe Doctrine

• Though initially welcomed in the Americas, it set a precedent for U.S. interventionism under Teddy Roosevelt in the late 1800s through the Roosevelt Corollary.

Political and Economic Contexts

• Post-war economic recovery led to new policies embraced by the Democratic-Republicans (formerly Jeffersonians) such as the establishment of the Second National Bank (1816) and implementation of a protective tariff in 1816 to stimulate the economy.

• The Panic of 1819 revealed economic vulnerabilities, leading to criticisms of the bank and tariffs.

Conclusion & Continuing Issues

• Important precedents were set in terms of territorial expansion, diplomacy, and the foundational issues regarding slavery that continued to shape U.S. policy and ultimately contributed to the Civil War.

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More detailed below

Overview of the Time Period (1815-1824)

• The decade following the War of 1812, often referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings," symbolizes a significant rise in nationalistic sentiment across the United States. This period was characterized by a general sense of stability and prosperity, where partisan divisions began to wane as the Federalist Party collapsed in the wake of the war. Popular support focused on a united front around innovative domestic policies, economic improvement, and westward expansion.

First Seminole War (1817-1818)

• The First Seminole War was led by Andrew Jackson under the authorization of President Monroe, who was concerned about increasing tensions along the southern border.

• The primary aim was to push the Seminoles back from U.S. territory, reasserting American control and dominance over Florida after years of sporadic clashes and raids that threatened frontier settlements.

• Historical debates revolve around the extent of Jackson’s actions exceeding his orders, particularly his audacious capture of Pensacola and Saint Marks, which demonstrated U.S. military might but also posed diplomatic challenges with Spain.

• The outcome of the war pressured Spain into acknowledging its feeble control over Florida, ultimately laying the groundwork for negotiations regarding the territory's acquisition by the United States.

Adams-Onís Treaty (1819-1821)

• The Adams-Onís Treaty, negotiated by John Quincy Adams, the U.S. Secretary of State, was a pivotal agreement that expanded U.S. territories.

• Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. without direct payment, but in return, the U.S. agreed to assume claims against Spain totaling around $5 million, settling longstanding disputes.

• As part of this treaty, Spain relinquished its claims to the vast territory of Oregon, which proved significant for U.S. territorial ambitions and aspirations for expansion westward, leading to optimism over manifest destiny.

• Additionally, the treaty established a definitive border between U.S. and Spanish territories, often referred to as the Transcontinental Treaty, which stabilized relations and territorial boundaries.

Implications of the Adams-Onís Treaty

• The treaty notably strengthened U.S. claims to future territories, including Oregon, following the withdrawal of Spanish claims, allowing for more focused American territorial policies.

• Conversely, the U.S. abandoned its claim to Texas, illustrating the complexities and negotiations encapsulated in American diplomacy at the time, which often involved the balancing act between aggressive territorial expansion and the practicalities of international relations.

Convention of 1818

• The Convention of 1818 established a border between the U.S. and Canada along the 49th parallel, a significant diplomatic achievement with Great Britain reflecting a shift towards cooperative relations post-war.

• The agreement also called for joint occupation of the Oregon Territory for a decade, which hinted at future tensions and conflicts regarding territorial claims amidst growing American interest in this promising region.

Rush-Bagot Agreement (1817)

• The Rush-Bagot Agreement was a landmark agreement post-War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain, which effectively demilitarized the Great Lakes, reducing tensions and laying the foundation for peaceful U.S.-Canada relations.

• This agreement was notable for fostering long-lasting stability in the border regions and establishing mutual naval limits, reflecting a practical approach to resolving post-war conflicts.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

• The Missouri Compromise arose in response to Missouri’s application for statehood as a slave state, which threatened the fragile balance of slave and free states in Congress, with eleven of each already established.

• The compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while admitting Maine as a free state, thereby maintaining the existing equilibrium in Congress and preventing the immediate escalation of the slavery debate.

• Furthermore, the establishment of the 36°30' line was crucial, as it limited the expansion of slavery into territories north of this demarcation within the Louisiana Purchase, highlighting the intensifying sectional conflict regarding slavery and its implications for future states.

• Although the compromise aimed to inject balance, it ultimately underscored and exacerbated the growing tensions surrounding the institution of slavery in America, laying groundwork for future conflicts.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

• The Monroe Doctrine, formulated under President James Monroe with significant influence from John Quincy Adams, was a pivotal U.S. foreign policy declaration.

• It asserted that the American continents were closed to further colonization by European powers, marking a bold statement of U.S. sovereignty and influence in the Western Hemisphere while establishing a clear delineation of spheres of interest.

• The doctrine emphasized that the U.S. would not interfere in European affairs, advocating a form of isolationism and setting the stage for future American stances that would evolve into more interventionist policies.

Long-term Effects of the Monroe Doctrine

• Initially welcomed in the Americas, the Monroe Doctrine set a precedent for U.S. interventionism in later years, notably under Teddy Roosevelt during the late 1800s with the Roosevelt Corollary, which revised the doctrine to justify interventions in Latin America for stability and to protect U.S. interests.

Political and Economic Contexts

• The post-war economic recovery period fostered new policies embraced by the Democratic-Republicans (formerly Jeffersonians), such as the establishment of the Second National Bank in 1816, which aimed to stabilize the currency and foster economic growth.

• Implementation of a protective tariff in 1816 also aimed to stimulate the economy and protect American industries, which reflected an increasingly nationalistic approach to economic policy.

• However, the subsequent Panic of 1819 unveiled significant economic vulnerabilities, leading to widespread criticism of the bank's role and the impact of tariffs, illustrating the inherent conflicts between federal economic policies and individual financial realities.

Conclusion & Continuing Issues

• This period set significant precedents in terms of territorial expansion, diplomatic relations, and the foundational issues regarding slavery that would continue to shape U.S. policy, culture, and identity, ultimately contributing to the onset of the Civil War and transformation of the nation into a continental power.