The Era of Good Feelings1817-1825

Election of James Monroe

Election of 1817- James Monroe elected as 5th President

Symbol of the era Fought in the revolution- wintered at Valley Forge

Served as a minister to both France and Britain

Served as both Secretary of State and War during the War of 1812

His presidency is known as a time of political peace Monroe hoped for a country without political parties

Collapse of the Federalist party

Political Values and Changes

Despite rivalry, Republican party adopted many Federalist policies during this time. Second National Banks- stabilize currency, protective tariff,

Internal improvements- transportation(roads, canals, etc.)

Standing army- 20,000 men.

Trying to fix the problems that almost allowed the British to win the War of 1812

Henry Clay- Kentucky War Hawk

“American System”- economic plan for the federal government to protect American industry

Finances…again

Inflation- more money in circulation, less precious metal backing up each note. More money is needed to represent the same value. To Finance the War of 1812, private banks issued notes and

loans for more than they had in gold and silver

Ex. One Rhode Island Bank issued $580,000, but only had $86.40 in gold and silver to back it up.

Temporary default and bankruptcy during the War, led to the creation of the 2nd National bank, hoping to lend stability

American Industry

War of 1812 pushed Americans to manufacture more here, instead of importing from other nations

However, at the end of the War, English goods flooded the market, selling goods below their actual value as a way to damage American industry

Protective Tariff instituted to allow young American industry to compete

In the Supreme Court

John Marshall (ambassador under John Adams to France)- Chief Justice

Important Decisions Marbury v. Madison- (1803) established right of the court to

declare acts of Congress unconstitutional

McCullough v. Maryland-(1819)- established the constitutionality of the National Bank

Established that the Supreme Court had authority over the federal and state governments to declare actions and laws unconstitutional.

Expansion

After the War of 1812, explosion of expansion- 5 states are admitted to Union Louisiana- 1812

Indiana- 1816

Mississippi- 1817

Illinois- 1818

Alabama- 1819

Improvements in transportation became necessary- roads and canals

Much argument over where would get the improvements and the Constitutionality

Foreign Affairs

1815- Ended raids by the Barbary pirates of American shipping in the Mediterranean

1817- Resolve unfinished issues with Britain- boundary with Canada, ships on the Great Lakes, Oregon territory

1817- Concern over Florida- still under Spanish control Pirates, slaves, and native Americans would use Florida as a

base for raiding Georgia

Andrew Jackson- sent to punish Indians, instead, destroyed villages, overthrew governor

Uproar in Washington- John Quincy Adams (secretary of state) told Spain they needed to police Florida better or give it to the United States

Decided it was inevitable, sold Florida for $5 million in damages

The Monroe Doctrine

Worried that European powers (Spain, Russia) would attempt to retake old colonies

Monroe issues a statement, saying that the Western Hemisphere is closed to further European colonization, and that the US would oppose any action to establish colonies- became known as the Monroe Doctrine

Exit Ticket- answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper

The Monroe Doctrine- Good or bad? Did we have the right to make this statement?

What would the consequences be if we hadn’t?

What would you have done?