UNITY AND SECTIONALISM
After the War of 1812, the Era of Good Feelings saw a period of national unity under President Monroe. However, regional differences emerged, leading to sectionalism and clashes over issues like slavery. Key figures like John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, and Henry Clay played pivotal roles in navigating these tensions, culminating in the Missouri Compromise. Explore the dynamic political landscape of post-war America in this insightful section.
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Presentation Transcript
During the time after the War of 1812, there was a time of national unity. Monroe ran for president with little opposition and won easily. Citizens did not have any political differences. A Boston newspaper called it the Era of Good Feelings. Monroe toured the country after he won to meet with local officials and citizens. Even John Adams welcomed him. He continued this throughout his presidency and won his 2ndterm with only one vote against him.
Regional differences brought an end to the Era of Good Feelings. Americans were feeling a strong allegiance to their region instead of to their country as a whole. This sectionalism grew more intense over national policies. Southerners wanted slavery and that the states had the right to govern themselves. Other regions disagreed on tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements.
John C. Calhoun emerged as a spokesperson for the South. He was a planter in South Carolina. He supported internal developments, a national bank, and the development of industries but his views began to change. He became chief supporter of state sovereignty. He became a strong opponent of national programs such as tariffs. He felt they rose prices on things that they could not make for themselves.
Daniel Webster was a Congressman for both New Hampshire and later Massachusetts. He represented the north. He supported the Tariff of 1816 because it helped the North. Webster gained fame as one of the best speakers of his day. He spoke against sectional interests and in one of his most memorable speeches, he said Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!
Henry Clay, from Kentucky, was a leader of the War Hawks. He became speaker of the House of Representatives in 1811 and represented the interests of the West. Clay became known as a national leader who tried to resolve sectional disputes.
Sectional tension reached new heights when it came to the issue of slavery and whether it should be allowed in the new states. The South wanted Missouri to be a slave state while the North did not. Things got even more complicated when Maine, which was part of Massachusetts, applied for statehood. Henry Clay was able to work out a deal that preserved the balance called the Missouri Compromise.
This compromise provided Missouri to be a slave state while Maine was a free state. Slavery was banned in the rest of the Louisiana Territory north of the 36 30 N parallel. Clay believed that is policies would benefit all sections of the nation. In 1824, he called his program the American System. It included 3 parts: (1) protective tariff, (2) a program of internal improvements, and (3) a national bank. Not everyone liked his ideas and Congress only adopted the internal improvements and a 2nd national bank.
The Supreme Court became involved in sectional and states rights issues. Their decisions would strengthen the national government. McCulloch v. Maryland was Maryland trying to tax the federal Baltimore branch of the National Bank. Marshall, the Chief Justice, claimed that a state government could not interfere with a federal agency. The tax was deemed unconstitutional.
Gibbons v. Ogden established that the states could not enact legislation that would interfere with congressional power over interstate commerce. Nationalists welcomed the rulings support for federal power while supporters of the states felt that it increased federal power at the expense of state power.
The War of 1812 heightened a sense of pride in Americans for their country. It also helped them realize that they need to establish a new relationship with the old world. In 1817, the Rush-Bagot Treaty had the USA and Britain agree to limit the number of ships on the Great Lakes and remove weapons along the border. They also created a secure border without armed forces. The Americans also gained the right to settle in the Oregon Territory.
Spain owned East Florida and also claimed West Florida but the United States said that they bought West Florida in the Louisiana Purchase. In 1810 and 1812, the Americans added parts of West Florida to Louisiana and Mississippi. Spain objected but took no action. Andrew Jackson was ordered to stop Seminole raids on America from Florida but in 1818, he invaded Spanish East Florida and seized 2 Spanish forts. The Secretary of State, Adams, did not authorize these actions but did nothing about it.
In the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819, the United States gained East Florida and Spain abandoned all claims to West Florida. The United States also gave up its claims to Spanish Texas and agreed to border boundaries but the USA did gain territory in the Pacific Northwest. Spain was losing power in its vast empire, especially in Mexico.
Miguel Hidalgo, a priest, led a rebellion in Mexico and called for racial equality and redistribution of land. The Spanish defeated the rebellion and executed Hidalgo. Mexico finally gained their independence in 1821. Simon Bolivar led independence movements for Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Jose de San Martin achieved it for Chile and Peru. Spain lost control over most of South America by 1824.
In 1822, the Quadruple Alliance discussed a plan to help Spain regain its American holdings. This would increase European involvement in North America. This led President Monroe to take action. He issued the statement called the Monroe Doctrine. The USA would not interfere with any existing European colonies but North and South America are not considered as subjects for future colonization. The Monroe Doctrine became an important element in American foreign policy.
