James Monroe and the “Era of Good Feelings”
APUSH
James Monroe • Dem-Rep Elected in 1816- Served
1817-25 • Presidency had no real opposition • Accomplishments: Florida, MO Comp and
Monroe Doctrine
Era of Good Feelings 1816-20 • Characterized by- • Nationalism – both cultural and economic • Optimism – American Ideals and
Patriotism • Political Good Will- One party, Rep.
dominates politics
Cultural Nationalism • Voters were now younger, first generation
Americans. • Different ideas from the “Founding
Fathers” Sit Down John! There is
a new sheriff in town.
• People believed that the U.S. was entering into a period of unparalleled prosperity
• The future of the country was west, no longer Europe
• Nationalist and Patriotic themes dominated literature and art
Economic Nationalism • Economic policy was directed towards: • Supporting U.S. Industry • Internal Improvements • Protective Tariffs
• Tariff of 1816 • First real protective tariff, raised for the
sole purpose of protecting U.S. Industry • Specifically the new industry created
during the War of 1812
Henry Clay’s American System • H.C. rep. from Kentucky – Leader of the
House
• American System: • Protective Tariffs (of 1816) • National Bank – (2nd National Bank –
1816) • Internal Improvements – (Vetoed by
Monroe)
Panic of 1819 • First Major Economic crisis in U.S. History
• State Banks closed • Deflation • Bankruptcies • Unemployment and Debtors Prison • West was effected most because of land
speculation
Problems in the Rep. Party • Jeffersonian Ideals vs. Clay’s Am. System • Prewar of 1812 vs. Postwar of 1812: • Many of Rep. leaders changed opinions
on Major issues
• Daniel Webster of MA, opposed Tariffs then raised them in Tariff of 1828
• John C. Calhoun of SC, Nationalist in 1812 – States Rights by 1828
» Webster
• Political Factions and Regional differences (sectionalism) led to the Rep. nominating 4 candidates for Pres. In 1824. This split the votes, allowed J.Q. Adams to win with the support of Clay (corrupt bargain)
Western Movement • Western settlement expanded under
Madison and Monroe • Cleared Native Am. off of lands • William Harrison (IN) and Andrew Jackson
(Fl and south) opened land to settlement
• Economic Pressure • Industrial slowing in New England and
need for more and bigger plantations had people looking West
• Internal Improvements • Roads over the Appalachians, canals,
steamboats, and early RR made for easier access to Western Lands
• Immigration • Land speculation and the West attracted
Europeans looking for a new start
Western States and Territories • Territorial and State Gov wanted : • “cheap money” from state banks • Gov selling land at low prices • Internal improvements • The slavery question was always
prevalent in Western Politics
Foreign Relations • Rush Bagot Agreement of 1817 • U.S. and GB agreed to disarmament of the
Great Lake Region
• Treaty of 1818 • U.S. and GB settled the Louisiana Border
at 49th Parallel
• Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819 • Andrew Jackson had gone into Florida to
fight the Seminole Indians • Against orders from President he also
fought the Spanish Gov’t • In 1819, Spain settled on 5$mil payment
rather than face war
The Monroe Doctrine - 1823 • Britain and U.S. had a common interest in
protecting North and South America • Russian threatened Alaska
• France, Austria and Prussia were looking to colonize
• Spain was trying to get back land lost because of all the Revolutions in Latin Am
• J.Q. Adams, Sec. of State decided it would be in U.S. best interests to act alone
• Doctrine issued in 1823 State of Union • NO PART OF AMERICAS OPEN TO
EUROPEAN COLONIZATION • NO EUROPEAN COUNTRY CAN
MEDDLE IN AMERICAN COUNTRIES POLITICS