s Era of Good Feelings s Why was it called this? s For such an era to exist, what would have to be NOT present in other words what stressful issues would have to be reslved in order to have an Era of Good Feelings?
Era of Good Feelings s Begins circa 1815with James Madison s second term after Treaty of Ghent ends war of 1812 s No wars, little political unrest (one party!), national unity, and new international prowess s James Monroe (Democratic-Republican) easily elected President in 1816 and totally unopposed for re-election in 1820 s Monroe toured nation, increasing national pride s Andrew Jackson s popular presidency viewed as triumph for the common man first populist president?
President Monroe s Jefferson reportedly said Monroe was so honest that if you turned his soul inside out there would not be a spot on it. s US Senator from Virginia and devotee of Jefferson and his policies (like Madison had been) another TJ clone s Served as ambassador to France and helped negotiate Louisiana purchase s Balanced Cabinet Southerner John C. Calhoun-Secretary of War; Northerner John Quincy Adams-Secretary of State. Only Henry Clay's refusal kept Monroe from adding an outstanding Westerner this balance kept the peace
Cracks in the era s Beginning of sectionalism: Clay in the west, Calhoun in the south, and Daniel Webster in the north all loudly pushed for policies favoring their regions s Missouri Compromise and the debate over slavery (but we ll hold off on this for now) s Debate over the how involved the government should be in the economy
National Bank s The original bank of 1791 (Alexander Hamilton s idea if you remember) charter expired in 1811 leaving State banks to their own devices s Overextended banks led to inflation many realized a new National Bank was needed for stability s 1816 Second National Bank established by Congress s New Bank, chartered for 20 years, was successful and boosted American economy
Tariffs s Embargo Act had resulted in many new American goods being produced s These goods now had to compete with European exports since war ended s British goods had price advantage due to larger and more established factories many dumped here below market prices for US goods s Protective Tariffs passed in 1816, 1818, and 1824 made US goods competitive, but drove prices up overall. Tariffs were Resented by the South loved by the North (sectionalism again)
The American System s Westerner (Kentucky) Henry Clay thought he had a compromise s Use profits from the tariffs to build infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, canals, etc) in the south and the west thus all regions would benefit from the tariffs s Never fully caught on, but had some effect
Supreme Court s Strengthened power of federal government with two decisions under Chief Justice John Marshall (a Federalist) s McCulloch v. Maryland : Federal organizations not subject to state regulations (no state law can violate a federal law) s Gibbons v. Ogden Congressional power over interstate commerce (would be a dramatic new power for Congress as economy evolved very applicable today) s Boosted federal power over the states... Supporters of strong federal gov t liked these rulings, but supporters of states rights did not particularly slave states in the South.
Philosophical Chairs s There has been some talk about the US Congress regulating your Internet in the name of commerce (Gibbons v Ogden gives them this power). s Do you think this is right? Brainstorm your reasons for support. s Now choose window side of the the room, for yes, Congress can and should do this opposite side of the room for no, Congress cannot and/or should not do this.
Two Land Deals s Convention of 1818 w/britain (Red River Basin) s Adams-Onis Treaty with Spain (Florida)
Geographical Growth of US
Convention of 1818 s Agreement between Britain and US s It resolved standing boundary issues between the two nations s Settled Northern US border at 49 th parallel s Allowed for joint occupation and settlement of the Oregon Country
Spain s Weakening of Spanish power (yet Spain still owned most of South and Central America) s 1817 General Andrew Jackson sent with ambiguous orders into Spanish Florida to capture escaped slaves who had joined Seminoles so he attacked and burned some Spanish forts s Jackson s raids proved US had the power to take Florida if it so desired s So Spain finally gives up Florida in 1819
Adams-Onis Treaty, 1819 s Without Presidential authorization, General Andrew Jackson (later Prezzie #7 in 1828) raided Spanish East Florida in 1818 s Was supposed to halt raiding Seminoles, but took over two Spanish forts s Adams-Onis treaty negotiated by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams (later Prezzie #6 in 1824) s Treaty gave East and West Florida to the US - in exchange US gave up claims to Spanish Texas s US paid 5 million in damages to those forts s Spain also pulled out of the Oregon Territory
Latin American Revolutions/Independence s Mexican Revolution leads to independence from Spain in 1821 (monarchy overthrown in 1823) s Simon Bolivar defeats Spanish in South America creating the massive Republic of Colombia (modern day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela s Central America gains independence from Spain in 1821 (today s Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua)
s You can see that most of Latin America gained independence from Europe in the early 19 th century. s In what ways might this be advantageous to the United States? How might we benefit in other words? s What dangers might exist due to these new independent nations?
Monroe Doctrine s President Monroe feared that European powers (France and Russia) might help Spain regain these lost countries s Britain, also worried, proposes a joint statement of warning s Monroe chose to do this independently (advised by John Q. Adams) so he issues the Monroe Doctrine in a message to Congress in 1823 s The US would not interfere with any current European colonies in the Americas, but would allow no European nations to colonize ANY of North or South America or interfere with the new free nations it contained (even though we didn t have the power to actually enforce this) J
Table Talk: What s the problem here? What happens next according to the Constitution?
Election of 1824 s 4 candidates split electoral vote: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawford s Jackson won popular vote and electoral votes, but not over 50% so vote went to the House of Representatives to choose between two highest (Jackson and Adams) s Led to split of the Democratic-Republican Party (National Republicans behind Adams and Clay and the Democrats behind Jackson beginnings of the modern Democratic Party) s Henry Clay threw his support behind Adams who won. Many cried foul ( CORRUPT BARGAIN since Clay became Adams s Secretary of State) and Adams served one weak term before being defeated (again) by Andrew Jackson.
Andrew Jackson s Old Hickory or Sharp Knife or King Andrew s Born 1767 in Carolina later to help found Tennessee s Distinguished military career: tough and brave captured and scarred at 13! Dueling and fighting bullets in body s Humble beginnings led to belief that ordinary men should participate in politics (populism). Ex: Inaugural ball, electoral college abolition, term limits s Well loved particularly in South and West s Easily won 2 terms 1828 (running against Adams) and 1832 (Running against Clay)
Growth of Electorate s More people could vote: Most states had dropped the Property owner requirement s More stuff to vote for: States began choosing electors by popular vote instead of via legislatures power to the people s More people wanted to vote: Populist candidate Jackson seen as a man of the people motivating more common people to vote and even to seek office s New people in office: Jacksons new appointees (spoils system) putting new people into office furthers democracy
Indian Removal s Jackson moved moving the 100,000 Native Americans still living East of the Mississippi: Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole to Oklahoma s Supreme Court: Worcester v. Georgia 1832 ruled Georgia law had no bearing on Cherokee nation therefore the Cherokees should not be moved! s Jackson: John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it (Jackson had already pushed the Indian Removal Act through Congress)
Indian Removal Act - 1830 s Gave Jackson authority to offer land west of Mississippi in exchange for Indian homelands s Most tribes felt they had no choice but lack of resources made journeys harsh nearly 1/3 died during journeys thus The Trail of Tears
The Bank (again) s Positives: - Created stable paper currency Kept federal funds safe s Negatives: s Competed with state banks s Viewed by Jackson and as a way for the wealthy elite to make $ at the expense of ordinary people s Jackson vetoes the renewal of the bank in 1832, expires by 1836 (20 year charter). He moved federal money into state banks. Unfortunately they overextended them selves and failed - AGAIN
States Rights/Nullification Crisis s Divided President Jackson and his VP John C. Calhoun (who would eventually resign) s State s Rights Issue: Can a state nullify federal? s South Carolina attempted to nullify US Congressional tariff of 1832 threatening to secede s Jackson charged treason and threatened military force to collect tariffs "The Constitution... forms a government not a league... To say that any State may at pleasure secede from the Union is to say that the United States is not a nation." s But he also wisely endorsed a compromise bill that lowered tariffs so South Carolina backed down (for now) s Check this quote out: The tariff was only the pretext, and disunion and southern confederacy the real object. The next pretext will be the negro, or slavery question. Mic drop!
Ready for some political cartoons? s This one from 1837 says a lot about the public s perception of Andrew Jackson and gave the Democrats their mascot
Henry H.R. Robinson, 1837
Henry H.R. Robinson, 1837 Thomas Nast
Also by Thomas Nast 1874
Election of 1836 s Jackson steps down after two terms s Jackson advisor and VP Martin Van Buren runs (Jacksonian Democrat) Little Magician s Whigs run three candidates from different regions to divide vote and sent election to House of Reps s Did not work Van Buren won both popular and electoral vote
Panic of 1837 s Began during Van Buren presidency subsequent depression lasted 4 years s Economic slowdown in Britain sharply reduced cotton exports and less investment in US s Banks could not collect loans they made to bankrupted cotton growers hundreds of banks failed due to weak loans s Blamed on Democrats veto of National Bank Van Buren not reelected Rise of the Whigs
Election of 1840 s William Henry Harrison Tippecanoe runs against Van Buren an s End of the Jackson Era and the Democratic dominance rise of the Whigs (opposing King Andrew ) s Start of modern day Presidential campaigning: Log Cabin Campaign, entertainment, spinning the candidate
The Log Cabin campaign Campaign slogan Campaign song
And how about that campaign song? s Oh who has heard the great commotion, motion, motion All the country through? It is the ball a-rolling on For Tippecanoe and Tyler too And with him we'll beat Little Van, Van Van is a used-up man And with him we'll beat Little Van s Sure, let 'em talk about hard cider (cider, cider) And log cabins too 'T'will only help to speed the ball For Tippecanoe and Tyler too And with him we'll beat Little Van, Van Van is a used-up man And with him we'll beat Little Van s Like the rush of mighty waters (waters, waters) Onward it will go And of course we'll bring you through For Tippecanoe and Tyler too And with him we'll beat Little Van, Van Van is a usedup man And with him we'll beat Little Van A slightly more modern version thanks, They Might Be Giants