With the end of the War of 1812, the Democratic Republicans took firm control of the government. The presidential election of 1816 resulted in a landslide victory for Democratic Republican candidate James Monroe of Virginia. Stung by this defeat, the Federalist Party began to lose power. Within a few years, the party had disappeared.

President Monroe wanted to promote national unity. President Monroe wanted to promote national unity. A newspaper described the new sense of national unity as the “Era of Good Feelings.” A newspaper described the new sense of national unity as the “Era of Good Feelings.” The name stuck and it was used to describe Monroe’s two terms in office. The name stuck and it was used to describe Monroe’s two terms in office.

The Monroe Doctrine By 1810, opposition to Spanish rule ran strong in Spain’s American colonies. By 1810, opposition to Spanish rule ran strong in Spain’s American colonies. The American and French revolutions had inspired Latin Americans to want to control their own affairs. The American and French revolutions had inspired Latin Americans to want to control their own affairs. Revolutionary movements were growing in almost all of the Spanish colonies. Revolutionary movements were growing in almost all of the Spanish colonies. After Mexico and South and Central America countries achieved their independence their future was uncertain. After Mexico and South and Central America countries achieved their independence their future was uncertain. Several European powers, including France and Russia, indicated they might help Spain regain its colonies. Several European powers, including France and Russia, indicated they might help Spain regain its colonies.

The Monroe Doctrine This worried President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and the British. This worried President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and the British. Both nations wanted to protect trade with Latin America. Both nations wanted to protect trade with Latin America. In a message to Congress in December 1823, President Monroe stated what is known as the Monroe Doctrine. In a message to Congress in December 1823, President Monroe stated what is known as the Monroe Doctrine.

The Monroe Doctrine The United States would not allow European nations to create American colonies or interfere with the free nations of Latin America. The United States would consider any attempt to do so “dangerous to our peace and safety.” At the time, the United States was not strong enough to block European action. Only the British navy could do that. As U.S. power grew, however, the Monroe Doctrine boosted the influence of the United States in the region.