1. A Nation Grows Day 3 Era of Good Feelings
American History I
SRMHS
Mr. Hensley

2. James Monroe
President from 1816 to 1824 (two terms) – a time known as the “Era of Good Feelings”
Last Founding Father to hold high office
From Virginia, he is a Democratic-Republican
Because of Federalist collapse, he runs unopposed in 1820

3. Foreign Policy Challenges
Between 1810 and 1825, Spanish colonies revolt against Spanish control
New nations need loans, supplies – Britain and the U.S. benefit the most
“Holy Alliance” established in Europe – goal is to end all democracies
Russia claims Pacific Northwest

4. The Monroe Doctrine
Proclaimed by Monroe in 1823 but enforced by Britain’s navy
Europe stays out of North and South America
The U.S. will stay out of European affairs
Designed to keep Spain from trying to retake her former colonies – and to stop any future attempts at colonization

5. Nationalism vs. Sectionalism
Nationalists believe in a strong federal government
They think of themselves as Americans first
Sectionalists care more for their state than they do for the United States
They put their state’s interests above those of the national government

6. The American System Proposed by Henry Clay
Protective tariff to help Northern industry (1816)
Second BUS chartered to help with loans and reliability of currency (1816)
Increased federal funding for roads and canals
Erie Canal: 1825
Cumberland Road: 1820’s

7. The Marshall Court
Decisions increase the power of the federal government over states
McCullough v. Maryland (1819): states can’t block federal laws
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): only federal government can control interstate commerce
Worcester v. Georgia (1832): only federal government can make treaties with Natives

8. Nationalism in Art
“Hudson River School” refers to a group of American artists in the 1820’s and 1830’s
Specialized in landscapes with themes of exploration and settlement
Humans and nature coexist peacefully
First truly American art

9. “Gridlock” on Slavery
Senate is split between slave states and free states
3/5’s Compromise gives slave states disproportionate power in the House
Attempts to alter slavery never reach the floor of Congress
Gridlock –but new states are coming in!

10. The Missouri Compromise
11 slave and 11 free – balance in the Senate
1820: Missouri wants to come in as a slave state
1820: Maine comes in as free state to balance
36’30 line created – free in future if above, slave in future if below
Next states: Arkansas and Michigan in 1836

11. Missouri Compromise Map

12. Voting Begins to Change
Universal (male) suffrage movement begins after War of 1812
States drop property or religion requirements
Number of people voting grows ten-fold between 1820 and 1840
Politics becomes popular
Politicians are the “rock stars” of their day

13. Election of 1824 No political parties but a three-way race
John Quincy Adams (North) versus Andrew Jackson (South) versus Henry Clay (West)
Jackson gets the most popular votes … but no one gets a majority
Election goes to House of Representatives…

14. The Corrupt Bargain? In the House, Clay throws his support to Adams
Adams wins
Adams then makes Clay his Secretary of State
Jackson accuses Adams and Clay of bargaining for the Presidency
The Corrupt Bargain
Jackson vows to run again

15. Review: Era of Good Feelings
Describe Monroe’s major accomplishments as President and explain the difference between nationalism and sectionalism.
Monroe served as President during an era without competing political parties – the “Era of Good Feelings”. He is remembered for his foreign policy initiative, the Monroe Doctrine, that put the Western hemisphere under U.S. protection. Clay’s “American Plan” helped bring the country closer together and the Marshall Court made decisions that strengthened the power of the federal government. However, slavery remained an area of disagreement between the North and South, as we saw in the Missouri Compromise.