The Era of Good Feelings Growth of Sectionalism and Nationalism

The Era of Good FeelingsThe Era of Good Feelings

Growth of Sectionalism and Growth of Sectionalism and NationalismNationalism

Era of Good FeelingsEra of Good Feelings• Nearly a decade-long period of relative

political harmony (1817-1825)

• Dissolution of Federalist party meant country unified behind strong Republican party.

• Peaceful time with other nations

Industrialization of the NortheastIndustrialization of the Northeast

• Factory system expanded quickly after Embargo Act and War of 1812 cut off competition from England.

• New England became center of textile mills, while Pennsylvania led in production of iron. – Oliver Evans completely mechanized a flour mill

Plantation agriculture of SouthPlantation agriculture of South • Cotton gin's invention increased productivity (in 10 years

production increased 800%) • Removal of Indians from Southeastern US allowed expansion • Success of cotton led to one-crop economy

– Eli Whitney – Cotton gin to remove seeds from fiber – WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Diversified farming in the WestDiversified farming in the West • Small farms slowly gave way to specialized farms:

– Wheat in northern plains

– Corn and livestock in Ohio Valley

– Tobacco in Kentucky

• Improved transportation allowed for marketing of surpluses

Improvements in TransportationImprovements in Transportation • Better roads and canals

– Many turnpikes (toll roads) built by private companies from 1800-1825.

• Most famous: Cumberland Road which allowed wagon traffic from the seaboard and the Ohio River.

– Numerous canals were constructed by private companies

• Erie Canal and the Morris Canal

– Steamboat traffic replaced sail

The American SystemThe American System

• President Madison’s plan, promoted by Henry Clay who felt the nation desperately needed a plan that would unify the nation

• Goal: Unite sections, create strong self-sufficient economy

• Plan:1. Establish protective tariff2. Resurrect the National Bank (recharter did not pass in 1811)3. Sponsor development of transportation systems

Missouri Compromise (1820) Missouri Compromise (1820) • Missouri, populated mainly by Southerners, applied for

statehood in 1819.

• Northern states opposed adding a new slave state to the Union, which would upset the balance of 11 free and 11 slaves in the Senate

• Compromise reached which stated – Missouri would enter Union as slave state

– Maine would enter as free state

– Line drawn at 36 º30' with slavery banned in the portion of the Louisiana Purchase north of that line

Monroe Doctrine (1823) Monroe Doctrine (1823) • Statement of foreign policy, not a treaty or law

• Problems leading to development of doctrine – Recognition of Latin American republics

– European interference (Metternich's principle of intervention

• Elements of doctrine – Western hemisphere not open to colonization by any European power

– U.S. would not intervene in European wars

• Impact of doctrine not immediate, but it signaled America's emergence as a power strong enough to prevent European meddling in western hemisphere's affairs