Unity and Sectionalism Section Three

A) National Unity

President James Monroe In 1816, James Monroe becomes President with almost no opposition. There was no political arguing or conflicts with other nations. This time is nicknamed the Era of Good Feeling.

Elections of 1816/1820 Monroe became one of the first presidents to tour the U.S. He was treated like a celebrity from New England to Savannah. With this attitude, Monroe easily one re-election in 1820.

Sectionalism In the U.S., the idea of sectionalism grew and caused some problems over issues like slavery, tariffs, the Bank, and internal improvements. Sectionalism is loyalty your region of the country. In the South, slave owners fought to keep slavery for their economy while many Northerners wanted to abolish it. (Think 10th Amendment.)

John C. Calhoun The most powerful speakers at the time were John Calhoun from South Carolina who represented the South,

Daniel Webster (NH) Daniel Webster from New Hampshire representing the North, and

Henry Clay (KY) Henry Clay from Kentucky representing the West.

Slavery & the West? In 1820, the Missouri Compromise dealt with the issue of slavery in the newly formed states and territories. The South wanted Missouri to be a slave state while the North wanted it to be a free state.

Maine & Missouri To solve the problem, the new state of Maine would be free and Missouri would be slave to keep the balance of power in Congress. It also banned slavery north of the 36 30 N parallel.

Missouri Compromise This became known as the Missouri Compromise.

American System In 1824, Clay talked of the American System to keep the U.S. strong. It would improve road systems, control the economy, and the National Bank. Many in the South thought that this favored the North because little of this plan would help them. In the end, the plan did not go into effect.

McCulloch vs. Maryland In McCulloch vs. Maryland, the state of Maryland tried to tax the Baltimore branch of the Bank of the United States. Chief Justice John Marshall said a state cannot tax the federal government.

Gibbons VS. Ogden In Gibbons vs. Ogden, the Supreme Court said that states could not make laws that interfered with laws Congress made dealing with trade. This angered many people who believed in state’s rights.

b) Foreign Affairs

Rush-Bagot Treaty They didn’t want them to RUSH into another war!! After the War of 1812, the U.S. wanted to create a better relationship with the old powers in Europe, mainly Britain and Spain. In 1817, the U.S. and Britain signed the Rush-Bagot Treaty to limit warships on the Great Lakes. This led to disarmament along the border. They didn’t want them to RUSH into another war!!

Convention of 1818 The Convention of 1818 set the U.S. and Canada border, which was demilitarized, and gave the U.S. the right to settle the Oregon Territory.

West Florida The U.S. also looked at West Florida as part of the Louisiana Purchase and slowly created American settlements in the area. General Andrew Jackson moved into East Florida to stop the raids by Seminole Tribes, but also took over Spanish settlements and forts.

Jackson Invades Florida Jackson invades Florida, a Spanish possession, without permission from the War Department.

Adams-Onis Treaty Spanish minister Luis de Onis protested and wanted Jackson arrested and court-martialed. Calhoun agreed but Adams did not.

Transfer of Florida (1821) In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty granted all of Florida to the U.S.. The United States had to promise not to take Spanish Texas and pay $5 million.

Monroe Doctrine In 1822, Spain asked other European powers to help fight rebellions in the Americas. James Monroe didn’t want any other European countries in the Americas. In 1823, the Monroe Doctrine was created. It stated that no European powers could come to the Western Hemisphere to take any more colonies or the U.S. would respond. It has stood strong for over 194 years!