Era of Good Feelings
Essential Question: What did it mean to be American in the early 1800s? Star Spangled banner 1812gave Americans a national identity Alexis de Tocqueville “I do not know a country where the love of money holds a larger place in the heart of man” There was a surge of patriotism Americans felt the brightest days for America were ahead. Uncle Sam: Symbol born during this period. Legend has it that the name came from Sam Wilson, a New Your Butcher who provided the army with meat during the War of 1812. Initials were made up to match the U.S. Became a popular nickname for the federal government.
Developing a Nation in a Land of Differences Surge of patriotism after the War of 1812 US in the early1800s Very different from today! 2/3 lived w/in 50 miles of the Atlantic, fewer than 1/10 lived west of the Appalachians Travel was difficult and slow nothing moved faster than a horse could run, news took weeks to be delivered B/C of geographical differences distinct regional lifestyles developed led to stereotypes Symbols and Values-Needed to feel American! Meant Americans needed to share values, felt they were better than Europeans Economic Nationalism -Based on Capitalism-an economic system based on private ownership of farms and businesses Judicial Nationalism- Strengthened the role of the Supreme Court and federal power over the states. Encouraged the growth of capitalism—McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Yankees “Enterprising, thrifty, quick to chase a dollar” Growing Cities/Lots of trade
Kentucky Henry Clay: Believed in capitalism, high tariffs & federal spending on transportation American system-a proposal to the government that called for taxes on imports, federally funded transportation project, and a new national bank Projects War Hawk
Rich Plantation Owners Gracious, Cultured and Lazy
South Carolina John C. Calhoun: Resisted federal power Big supporter of states rights Wanted to protect slavery in the south
Frontiersmen Rugged, Hardy and Crude In the west
Massachusetts Daniel Webster: Opposed war of 1812 Served in both House and Senate “24 states are one country”
Art: Folk Art Made by ordinary people Carvings, quilts Thomas Cole (landscaping) James Audubon (Birds) Catlin (the west, Native Americas)
Early American Art Thomas Cole-1829 James Audubon-Birds of America
Music: Early church National Identity was expressed through music 1800s: Classical dance in the south Spirituals, square dancing Minstrel songs what are they?? Honored black music by mimicking it. Samuel Francis Smith 1832- “My Country, ‘tis of thee”
Literature Washington Irving, “Rip Van Winkle” James Fennimore Cooper, “The Last of the Mohicans” Davy Crockett Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Paul Revere's Ride” Patriotic Themes: Uncle Sam