James Monroe and the “Era of Good Feelings”

APUSH • Dem-Rep Elected in 1816- Served 1817-25 • Presidency had no real opposition • Accomplishments: Florida, MO Comp and Era of Good Feelings 1816-20 • Characterized by- • Nationalism – both cultural and economic • Optimism – American Ideals and Patriotism • Political Good Will- One party, Rep. dominates politics Cultural Nationalism • Voters were now younger, first generation Americans. • Different ideas from the “Founding Fathers”

Sit Down John! There is a new sheriff in town. • People believed that the U.S. was entering into a period of unparalleled prosperity • The future of the country was west, no longer Europe • Nationalist and Patriotic themes dominated literature and art Economic Nationalism • Economic policy was directed towards: • Supporting U.S. Industry • Internal Improvements • Protective Tariffs • • First real protective tariff, raised for the sole purpose of protecting U.S. Industry • Specifically the new industry created during the ’s American System • H.C. rep. from Kentucky – Leader of the House • American System: • Protective Tariffs (of 1816) • National Bank – (2nd National Bank – 1816) • Internal Improvements – (Vetoed by Monroe) • First Major Economic crisis in U.S. History • State Banks closed • Deflation • Bankruptcies • Unemployment and Debtors Prison • West was effected most because of land speculation Problems in the Rep. Party • Jeffersonian Ideals vs. Clay’s Am. System • Prewar of 1812 vs. Postwar of 1812: • Many of Rep. leaders changed opinions on Major issues • of MA, opposed Tariffs then raised them in Tariff of 1828 • John C. Calhoun of SC, Nationalist in 1812 – States Rights by 1828 » Webster • Political Factions and Regional differences (sectionalism) led to the Rep. nominating 4 candidates for Pres. In 1824. This split the votes, allowed J.Q. Adams to win with the support of Clay (corrupt bargain) Western Movement • Western settlement expanded under Madison and Monroe • Cleared Native Am. off of lands • William Harrison (IN) and (Fl and south) opened land to settlement • Economic Pressure • Industrial slowing in New England and need for more and bigger plantations had people looking West • Internal Improvements • Roads over the Appalachians, canals, steamboats, and early RR made for easier access to Western Lands • Immigration • Land speculation and the West attracted Europeans looking for a new start Western States and Territories • Territorial and State Gov wanted : • “cheap money” from state banks • Gov selling land at low prices • Internal improvements • The slavery question was always prevalent in Western Politics Foreign Relations • Rush Bagot Agreement of 1817 • U.S. and GB agreed to disarmament of the Great Lake Region • • U.S. and GB settled the Louisiana Border at 49th Parallel • Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819 • Andrew Jackson had gone into Florida to fight the Seminole Indians • Against orders from President he also fought the Spanish Gov’t • In 1819, Spain settled on 5$mil payment rather than face war The Monroe Doctrine - 1823 • Britain and U.S. had a common interest in protecting North and South America • Russian threatened Alaska • France, Austria and Prussia were looking to colonize • Spain was trying to get back land lost because of all the Revolutions in Latin Am • J.Q. Adams, Sec. of State decided it would be in U.S. best interests to act alone • Doctrine issued in 1823 State of Union • NO PART OF AMERICAS OPEN TO EUROPEAN COLONIZATION • NO EUROPEAN COUNTRY CAN MEDDLE IN AMERICAN COUNTRIES POLITICS