Era of Good Feelings

• I. The election of 1816 (Madison wins 183-34) gives the appearance of national unity– A. James Monroe wins after Madison– B. The Federalist Party breaks up

• II. The Monroe Doctrine– A. European powers are planning moves to gain or

regain territory in the Western Hemisphere– B. Monroe with his Secretary of State John Quincy

Adams issues the Monroe Doctrine• 1. The American continent is no longer open to

colonization• 2. The US would not interfere in Europe• 3. European intervention in the Western Hemisphere

would be considered an act against the USA

• III. Sectionalism– A. There begin to be cracks in national unity– B. Sectional differences grow as the nation grows• 1. North, South and West all want different things• 2. Land sales, tariffs, improvements in infrastructure

and eventually slavery

– C. Interposition ( States can object to Federal law)– D. Nullification (States could refuse to follow a

law)– E. Secession (States could leave the Union)• 1. Henry Clay (Kentucky) becomes known as the “Great

Compromiser”• 2. Daniel Webster (Mass.) speaks for preserving the

Union and Federal supremacy • 3. John C. Calhoun (South Carolina) spoke for State’s

Rights