Era of Good feelings and the Monroe doctrine

Mr. Fredrickson

Era of Good Feelings

• After the war of 1812 a wave of nationalism swept the country

• James Monroe became president in 1816• Monroe attempted to create national unity;

this time became known as the “Era of Good Feelings”

Sectionalism

• Loyalty to ones state or section rather than the country

• North, South, West

Calhoun of the South

• Leader: John C. Calhoun• War hawk• Defended slavery• Opposed strengthening the federal

government

Webster of the North

• Leader: Daniel Webster• Opposed war of 1812• Opposed slavery• Wanted strong national government

Clay of the West

• Leader: Henry Clay• War hawk (leader)• Supported strong federal government

Protective Tariff

• English merchants were selling goods for les than the production cost in the hopes of driving American rivals out of business

• The protective tariff was a tax on all goods imported from Europe

• Protected the countries industries from foreign competition

Clay’s American System

• Called for tariffs on imported goods benefiting northern factories

• With the money from industry northerners would buy farm products from the West and South

• Hoping to reduce American dependence on foreign goods

American System Continued

• Congress was supposed to use money from tariffs to build roads, bridges, and canals

• This would make it easier and cheaper for farmers in the south and west to move goods to city markets

• Congress spent very little on these internal improvements

Adams-Onis Treaty

• 1821• Spain Ceded Florida to the U.S. for $5 million• U.S. gave up claims to land in what is now

Texas

The Monroe Doctrine

• Part of a message to congress in 1832• President Monroe declares:– U.S. will not interfere with affairs in European

Nations or existing colonies of European Nations– European nations were to not attempt to regain

control of newly independent nations of Latin America

Monroe Doctrine continued

• U.S. would oppose any attempts to build new colonies in Americas

• Britain supported the doctrine and helped enforce it with their navy

• The Monroe Doctrine was American foreign policy until W W I

South American Republi

cs

Uncle – “the bars will stand as long as you are good”