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