The era commonly referred to as the “era of good feelings” took place following the War of 1812 and was marked by a notable surge in nationalistic sentiment within the United States. It commenced in 1816, shortly before Monroe assumed the presidency, and continued until his term concluded in 1824. Prior to this time frame, a series of occurrences paved the way for its emergence, including the acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase from France that effectively doubled the nation’s size.
Through the acquisition, the US gained independence and kept its distance from other nations, further dividing the country. Additionally, the implementation of the Embargo Act of 1807 halted trade with Britain to demonstrate self-sufficiency. Despite the negative consequences, this decision fostered patriotism among many citizens. Overall, the War of 1812 played a crucial role in leading up to the Era of Good Feelings.
The British intercepting American ships and the subsequent war declaration by the Americans caused a surge of nationalism in the United States. This was the second time the United States resisted Britain, and this victory further strengthened nationalist sentiments. Consequently, advancements arose within the country. With the start of the Era of Good Feelings, nationalism started to gain traction nationwide, although sectionalism continued as a contrasting viewpoint.
Nationalism served as the beginning of the era, laying the foundation for new developments which were influenced by its perspectives and ideologies. These developments gradually became more akin to sectionalism. Nonetheless, it was sectionalism that significantly impacted the economy and politics of the period. Notably, factors like slavery and the Missouri Compromise, Monroe Doctrine, foreign policy, Panic of 1819, the emergence of national banks, and tariffs form the sectionalistic viewpoints that ultimately shape the economic and political landscape of the time.
Despite sectionalism being a significant influence on the United States, it is essential to acknowledge the presence of nationalism during this period. The Federalist Party, which strongly opposed the War of 1812, faced instability as a result. Consequently, the Democratic-Republican Party experienced significant growth and ultimately overtook the Federalist Party, becoming the sole party during the Era of Good Feelings. The Democratic-Republican Party prioritized the rights of the people and successfully fostered a stronger sense of national unity.
An instance of this directly results in the sudden emergence of a stronger desire for gender equality among women. Women like Emma Hart Willard sought to leverage this newfound opportunity to advocate for increased rights for women. They upheld the belief that, during this era, women should possess equivalent rights to men and have the ability to actively defend their rights (Document c). The colonists appear to display an excessive level of confidence in their country, asserting that the United States, regardless of the circumstances, is always in the right (Document A). As a consequence, nationalism began to ignite the minds of numerous citizens.
Nationalistic poetry is one example of the emerging patriotism that is being developed, with many authors writing about our country’s flag and its symbolism (Document B). As nationalism grows throughout the nation, sectionalism also begins to rise. The North and South regions of the U.S. start to recognize and emphasize their distinct differences in terms of economy and structure. This becomes especially evident with the introduction of the Missouri Compromise, as pointed out by Jefferson (Document G). Particularly in relation to slavery, sectionalism becomes more concentrated in the South. The economic growth of the South relies heavily on agriculture, with slavery becoming a natural necessity. Cash crops like cotton flourish in the South and require a large workforce to sustain its production.
During the late 1700’s, slavery was in decline and the cotton industry was struggling. But with the introduction of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, slavery became a pressing issue again, fueling the resurgence of the cotton industry. In 1820, Missouri sought to join as a slave state, creating tension and division across the nation. This was due to an existing equilibrium between free states and slave states that would be disrupted by Missouri’s addition. To resolve this conflict, a compromise called the Missouri Compromise was ultimately agreed upon.
The Missouri Compromise led to the acceptance of Missouri as a state that allows slavery and Maine as a state that does not. It established a separation between states permitting slavery and those prohibiting it, with the dividing line located below Missouri for slave states and above for free states. John Quincy Adams endorsed this compromise, aiding in the advancement of sectionalism. In document F, he expressed his perspective on completely eliminating slavery, recognizing its moral righteousness but also acknowledging its contribution to widening the divide between the Northern and Southern regions.
He believed that instead of allowing Missouri to join the Union, amendments should be made to abolish slavery. Despite knowing that this would upset other states, he believed that secession would ultimately be the solution. This marked the beginning of political sectionalism. Another significant division between the North and South was economic in nature. The predominantly agricultural South opposed taxation and tariffs. The American System, championed by Henry Clay, implemented tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing and stimulate economic growth. (Document E) The South opposed these tariffs as they were thriving economically with their cotton production and viewed the tariffs as an added tax burden on shipping. They saw the tariff as an assault on their way of life rather than a benefit to the entire nation, which led to its greater support in the middle and northern states rather than the South. (Document H) The American System also gave rise to a new national bank due to the expiration of the previous bank’s charter.
The new nation bank had a goal to reduce the debt caused by the Louisiana Purchase. However, in the case of Maryland v. McCulloch, Marshall’s Court made decisions that negatively impacted the national bank’s reputation and popularity. This led to a decrease in the economy by 1818, causing panic to arise. To combat this, the bank increased interest rates and reduced available funds. As a result, there was deflation in the U.S. currency which triggered the Panic of 1819. The National Bank was held responsible for these actions, further dividing the country. Additionally, the implementation of new tariffs sparked a need for self-improvement, particularly in transportation. The North recognized the benefits of these internal improvements for their growing manufacturing sector. The American system aimed to generate revenue specifically for investing in these internal improvements.
During the Era of Good Feelings, sectionalism became apparent in discussions about funding for new improvements. Some argued that the states should be responsible for providing funds (Document D), while others believed it was a task too big for them and should be handled by the national government. Despite sectionalism’s increasing influence on the economy and politics, there were still signs of nationalism, especially in matters related to foreign policy.
In 1823, during the Era of Good Feelings, James Monroe released the Monroe Doctrine as a communication to European nations. It conveyed that the United States would no longer meddle in their matters and prohibited any future colonization attempts in America. In return, the United States promised to refrain from involvement in European affairs. This statement fostered a feeling of American nationalism, as they began seeing themselves as a dominant power in the western hemisphere.
During the lead-up to the 1824 election in America, sectionalism was increasingly causing damage. The shortcomings of James Monroe’s presidency had become apparent, giving rise to a new party system where four candidates competed for office. However, as no candidate achieved a majority vote, it fell upon the House of Representatives to decide. This decision angered Andrew Jackson and his followers because Henry Clay, who was Speaker of the House, supported Adams becoming president. As a result, Adams assuming office in 1824 led to unresolved problems from the Era of Good Feelings greatly impacting the nation.
Nationalism had a significant impact on society during this time, which resulted in the dissolution of the Federalist Party and influenced foreign policy through the Monroe Doctrine. Additionally, it inspired nationalistic arts and concepts. However, it is important to acknowledge that nationalism alone does not fully explain the era’s economy and politics. Sectionalism also played a major role in these aspects, as seen in events like the Missouri Compromise, debates over slavery, the invention of the cotton gin, and tariffs being implemented. Ultimately, these contrasting sectional perspectives and actions will contribute to internal conflict within America.
