The Era of Good Feelings SOL 6b & c The Presidency of James Monroe

The Era of Good Feelings Following the outcomes of the War of 1812, the Federalists were viewed as unpatriotic and treasonous, which ultimately led to the demise of the political party. With the Federalist party dead there is again only one political party. James Monroe was elected in 1816 as the 5th president. The War of 1812, inflated American feelings of nationalism during his presidency.

Economic impact of the War of 1812 Henry Clay creates the idea of the American System to integrate regional economies in order to better compete with the Europeans. Transportation National Bank Protective tariff

The Market Revolution A market revolution emerged following the War of 1812, which transformed the American economy through transportation improvements in canals and railroads Many of these internal improvements were funded by tariffs through the American System. agricultural improvements such as the: cotton gin mechanical reaper Steel plow industrial innovations, including textile mills communication improvements, including the telegraph.

Sectional tensions caused by competing economic interests The industrial North favored high protective tariffs to protect Northern manufactured goods from foreign competition. The agricultural South opposed high tariffs that made the price of imports more expensive.

Foreign Policy in the Era of Good Feelings (during Monroe’s Presidency) Following the War of 1812, the United States and Britain agreed, through treaty, to establish the 49th parallel as the boundary between the United States and Canada along the Louisiana Territory. It was later extended to the Pacific following the acquisition of the Oregon Territory from Britain in 1846. Florida was acquired by the United States through a treaty with Spain in 1819.

The Monroe Doctrine To protect America’s interests in the Western Hemisphere, the Monroe Doctrine was issued. The Monroe Doctrine (1823) stated the following: The American continents should not be considered for future colonization by any European powers. Nations in the Western Hemisphere were inherently different from those of Europe (i.e., they were republics by nature rather than monarchies). The United States would regard as a threat to its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere. The United States would not interfere in European affairs.

Sectional tensions caused by westward expansion (during Monroe) As new states entered the Union, compromises were reached that maintained the balance of power in Congress between “free states” and “slave states.” The Missouri Compromise (1820) drew an east-west line through the Louisiana Purchase, with slavery prohibited above the line and allowed below, except that slavery was allowed in Missouri, north of the line.