1. The Role of Politics in Sectionalism
James Monroe and The Era of Good Feelings
The Role of Politics in Sectionalism

2. James Monroe 1758 – 1831 Dem.-Republican 5th President (1817-25)
Last President to have participated in the Revolution
Former Gov. of VA, Secretary of State, and Secretary of War
Southerner, slave owner

3. “The Era of Good Feelings”
Term used to describe Monroe’s presidency
Right after War of 1812, Nationalism surged and Americans thought of themselves as Americans first, rather than of their region of the country
Collapse of Federalist Party left only 1 major political party, so little political disagreement

4. Tariff of 1816
British goods had been cut off during War of 1812, but once war was over US market was flooded with cheap British goods
US industry had begun to grow during the war, but now was at risk with return of foreign goods
Tariff was championed by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun (West & South!)

5. Death of the First National Bank
Had been established as part of Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Congress did not renew its charter when it expired in 1811
State and private banks took over, issuing their own currency and over-lending, leading to high inflation
US government had to borrow money from these state and private banks to pay for the War of 1812, leaving it deeply in debt after the war

6. Second National Bank of the US
Not overly popular with small farmers because it was aimed at helping Eastern industrialists
Despite this, the need for federal regulation of currency prompted Calhoun, Webster, and Clay to force through a bill creating a Second National Bank in 1816

8. McCulloch v. Maryland
1819
Maryland attempted to tax the Second National Bank
Supreme Court ruled that:
“necessary and proper” clause allows US gov’t to create a National Bank;
the federal government stands above the states and
the states can not interfere with federal agencies

9. Panic of 1819
National Bank offered easy credit, overextended itself by giving more loans than it had money
When British banks called in their loans to US banks, The National Bank had to call in its loans, triggering US’s first economic depression

10. The Missouri Compromise
Missouri admitted as a slave state, but balanced by admission of Maine as a free state
No new slave states allowed north of Missouri’s southern border
Ends “Era of Good Feelings”

11. The Monroe Doctrine
US concerned that Spain would try to retake the newly independent nations in Latin America; also worried about Russian expansion in Alaska
1823: Pres. Monroe issued a formal statement of US policy
Europe would not be allowed to interfere in the affairs of countries in the Americas
No new European colonization would be allowed in Americas
US would not interfere in the affairs of countries in the Americas or in Europe

12. Gibbons v. Ogden
1824
New York had granted a monopoly over all steam boat traffic
Supreme Court ruled that Congress alone has the right to regulate interstate and foreign commerce

13. Election of 1824 4 candidates for president, all were Dem.-Republicans
New England supported John Quincy Adams
South supported William Crawford
West supported Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay
Election was so close, it went to the House of Representatives to decide the winner

14. “The Corrupt Bargain”
Henry Clay (who was Speaker of the House and hated Jackson) threw his support to John Quincy Adams in return for being named Secretary of State
Adams became president; Andrew Jackson denounced Clay’s deal as a “corrupt bargain”

15. Democratic-Republican Party splits
Andrew Jackson’s supporters became the Democratic Party
John Quincy Adams’ supporters became the National Republican Party
End of political unity, return of the two-party system

16. John Quincy Adams 1767 – 1848 National Republican
6th President ( )
Son of John Adams
Adams objectives:
Stronger federal government;
Federal construction of transportation infrastructure;
Found a national university;
Create high tariffs to protect US industry

17. “The American System”
John Quincy Adams’ & Henry Clay’s plan to tie the nation together
Protective tariffs
Internal improvements to increase interstate commerce
A strong National Bank
strongly opposed by the South

18. South hated the idea of the “American System”
Southerners tended to be strict-constructionists, support states rights over strong central government
Saw no Constitutional support for a National Bank or federal construction of infrastructure
Tariffs hurt farmers
Believed in doctrine of nullification – states don’t have to enforce laws they interpret as unconstitutional or harmful to the state

19. “Tariff of Abominations”
Highest tariff in US history
Designed to protect US industries from cheaper English imports
Badly hurt South by raising prices of manufactured goods and by causing British to have less capital with which to buy Southern cotton