The Era of Good Feelings U S Nationalism

The Era of Good Feelings. U. S. Nationalism Sasso US I

Nationalism � The latter stages of the War of 1812 will produce an intense feeling of nationalism � Nationalism- Loyalty and devotion to the country � US citizens and the government will go to work strengthening both the govt. and the country � This all kicks off with the election of James Monroe in 1816

The Election of 1816 �The Presidency has already developed some significant trends, some of which are troubling to Northerners �Secretary of State has become a springboard to the Presidency, starting with TJ �TJ served 2 terms, then secured the Republican nomination for his Sec. of State (Madison) �Madison served 2 terms then secured the Republican nomination for his Sec. of State (Monroe) �Monroe (VA)will face no serious opposition from the Federalist Party; he easily defeats Rufus King (NY) �Another trend- 4 out of the first 5 Presidents came

Monroe �Monroe was 61 when he became President �Very long and distinguished career- he’s kind of a mixture of the previous four Presidents (but didn’t have the greatest track record outside of the LA Purchase) �Entered office under extremely favorable circumstances �NO real Federalist opposition (party was dying) �With the end of the War of 1812, NO major international threats �This is the exact scenario the founding fathers had envisioned- it just took 30 years to get there

Monroe �For his cabinet, Monroe truly tries to keep everything balanced both politically and regionally �That being said- it’s loaded with War Hawks �Appoints John Quincy Adams (MA) as Sec. of State �Offers the Sec. of War position to Henry Clay (KY), who declines �Ends up going to John C. Calhoun (SC) �Andrew Jackson (TN) and William Henry Harrison (VA/OH) also move up in national prominence

The Era of Good Feelings �Monroe goes on a good-will tour through the country �Greeted with much enthusiasm, even in New England �A Boston newspaper writer termed it “the era of good feelings” �Meant to be derisive, but it sticks

The American System � Before moving on to his Cabinet position, Calhoun will team up with Clay for immensely important legislative package � Clay calls it the “American System” � System is essentially based on tax/industrial protection and internal improvements (ii) � High protective tariffs, the building of roads/bridges/canals, and reinstitution of the National Bank

Internal Improvements � Internal improvements became a huge concern at the start of the War of 1812 � Our inability to effectively move our troops was a big reason why we struggled in Canada � Starting in 1806, Congress had authorized the building of a “National Road” � Road would stretch from Maryland to Illinois � Individual states and businesses will also look to improve transportation � Pay for these improvements with tax money, turnpikes, and tolls

Internal Improvements � With roads in the process of being constructed, the internal waterways become extremely important � The introduction of the steamboat is revolutionary � Very quick moving for the time period, and very efficient � Water current is no longer a factor in trade � There are many dangers to steamboat travel � Canals also become big and necessary projects � They will allow us to connect inland waterways � Huge jobs requiring a ton of labor

Internal Improvements �Railroads are also introduced �Limitless potential, but pretty dangerous �Collisions are frequent �A lot of $ tied up in roads and canals, so railroad development is a little slow

John Quincy Adams �JQA is the star of Monroe’s administration �Very strong bloodlines �Spent much of his life in diplomatic service (like dad) �One of our most successful ambassadors �Big-time nationalist �His main concern is to expand US borders

Florida � Florida is the first goal � Starting in 1817, JQA opens up talks with Spain’s Luis Onis regarding Florida � At the same time, Calhoun stationed military along the border under the command of Andrew Jackson � Jackson takes this as a green light to invade the territory and attack Native Americans � Jackson blasts into Florida, burns villages, seizes Spanish forts and hangs 2 British subjects

Florida � Spanish govt. demands that Jackson be punished � JQA will refuse to have Jackson punished; declares that the US has a right to defend itself and its borders and that Spain is at fault � If Spain is unwilling to discipline its citizens, the US would be willing to do it � Jackson proves that the US could easily take Florida by force, JQA implies that it just might do it � Onis is in a bad spot- can’t defend Florida militarily, can’t control it politically � Adams-Onis Treaty 1819 - we take control of all of Florida, Spain gives up a strong claim to the Pacific Northwest, we give up a weak claim on Texas

The Monroe Doctrine �JQA also has a big influence on foreign affairs � 1820 s sees a spike in democratic rebellions throughout Central and South America (mostly Spanish-controlled) �Europe’s absolute monarchies plan to reclaim those territories for Spain �JQA and Monroe form the Monroe Doctrine �North and South America should no longer be thought of as areas for Europe to colonize �America does not interfere with European affairs; Europe should not interfere with any nations in the Western Hemisphere

The Monroe Doctrine � America essentially claims that it will defend any nation in the West that chooses to be independent � Can we back this up? Absolutely not! � We are learning how to play the game- bluffing can be effective PLUS we may gain some favor from the newly independent nations � This becomes U. S. foreign policy for the better part of a century

The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine

The Monroe Doctrine