Era of Good Feelings
1817 – 1825 James Monroe’s Presidency Title given by journalist observing
popularity of Monroe in New England Misleading title
Missouri Crisis
1819 – MO applied for statehood as a slave state
Disturbs balance of slave/free states (11 – 11)
Moves slavery farther north
The compromise worked out by House Speaker Henry Clay established a formula that avoided debate over whether new states would allow or prohibit slavery. In the process, it divided the United States into northern and southern regions.
Missouri Crisis
Proposal: gradually emancipate slaves in MO
Sectional lines are drawn in Congress N supports S oppose
Both sides accuse each other of leading country into civil war
Compromise drafted by Speaker of the House Henry Clay
The Missouri Compromise
1. MO enters Union as a slave state S happy
2. Maine enters as a free state Maintains balance
Mason – Dixon Line – dividing line that separates Union into free/slave; runs course of Ohio River
Missouri Compromise
3. In the future, slavery prohibited by Congress in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36°30’
Allowed for slavery South of 36°30’ line
Missouri Compromise
Many believed the South “won” the conflict
Land north of line deemed unsuitable for slave labor
Southerners agree that Congress could prohibit slavery in some American territories
Foreshadowed future conflicts between two regions
Foreign Affairs
John Quincy Adams – Monroe’s Secretary of State
Negotiated many agreements that impacted the US
John Q. Adams
1. Oregon Territory – American access to OR GB and US have claim to territory Joint occupation for minimum of 10 years Opened OR to US settlement
John Quincy Adams
2. Spain and control of Florida Conflict emerges after Andrew Jackson led
US forces into FL Protecting Americans from hostile Indians
crossing border Jackson occupied two Spanish forts Hangs two British citizens
Spain and Florida
Adams/Onis Treaty 1819 Adams argues that Spain can not control
residents in FL Spain ceded FL to US US renounced claims to TX Spain abandons claim to OR
Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. Monroe Doctrine Early 1800s Spanish colonies gain
independence Include modern day countries of Mexico,
Colombia, Peru Concern over whether or not other
European powers will move in to replace Spain
Monroe Doctrine - Background 2. Russia
Fur traders explored along Pacific Coast through OR Territory
AK a Russian Territory in early 1800s Russia establishes posts and US fears
Russian interference to US claim in OR
Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. GB proposed a joint resolution
Each would oppose European interference with newly independent nations
Renounce own interest in establishing new colonies in region
If US agrees, hurt US expansion and make Us subservient to GB (because US seen as junior partner in agreement)
Monroe Doctrine
Quincy Adams proposes US declaration of independence
1823 – Doctrine emerges from Monroe’s annual message to Congress
Monroe Doctrine
1. European powers cannot interfere with independent nations in the western hemisphere
2. US would not allow creation of new colonies in the Americas Aimed at protecting newly independent
nations and stopping Russian expansion 3. US pledges to stay out of European
affairs Greeks fighting against Turkish Empire
Elections
Monroe serves 2 terms (easy victories) Election of 1824
Candidates describe themselves as members of the same party
Election of 1824 - Candidates Andrew Jackson (TN) – hero of the Battle
of New Orleans John Quincy Adams (MA) – Secretary of
State William Crawford (GA) – Secretary of the
Treasury Henry Clay (KY) – Speaker of the House
of Representatives
Election of 1824
131 Votes = Majority Needed All have support in their respective regions
Popular Vote ◊ Electoral Vote
Jackson 43.1% 99 Adams 30.5% 84 Crawford 13.1% 41 Clay 13.2% 37
Votes spread out because too many candidates
Who Wins?
No majority of electoral votes Constitution states House of Reps chooses
next President from top three finishers Comes down to Jackson v. Adams
Clay was fourth Crawford had a stroke
Clay couldn’t win but could influence decision as Speaker of the House
Corrupt Bargain
Clay and Adams in agreement on various issues
HoR select Adams Jackson and supporters angered because
Adams selects Clay as Sec. of State Looked as if a “corrupt bargain” took place
between the two
Corrupt Bargain
No evidence exists but the appearance still hurts Adams’ Presidency
Adams was a very experienced politician Diplomat, Senator, Sec. of State
Administration met with opposition on issues including proposals for internal improvement, Second Bank of the US, funding for the arts
Election of 1828
Following Adams win Jackson’s supporters began calling themselves “Democrats” Called for return to the ideals of T. Jefferson
Mud Slinging Adams accused of gambling for buying a
pool table; accused of promoting prostitution
Jackson accused of being an illiterate backwoodsman and his wife called an adulterer and bigamist
Election of 1828
Jackson wins End of the “Era of Good Feelings” Rise of Jackson seen as spread of
Democracy
Jackson and Democracy
Jackson advocates elimination of property qualifications to vote – widely accomplished by 1840
Inauguration attended by large numbers of people “Old Hickory” has popular support
Supported will of the American people to govern Voters should directly elect President and
Senators
Tariffs and Banks
Tariff of Abominations Congress passed a protective tariff in 1828
on imported items to encourage American manufacturers Unpopular in South
Raised cost of manufactured items Other nations established tariffs hurting American
exports
Tariff of Abominations
Anonymous author of “South Carolina Exposition and Protest” responds Calls Tariff unconstitutional Says states have to nullify Eventually revealed that author was John C.
Calhoun, Jackson’s VP
Arguments similar to political theories of Madison and Jefferson in VA and KY Resolutions What were the VA/KY Resolutions responding to?
Questions for Discussion
What was significant about the strong spirit of nationalism that appeared in America from 1815 to 1824? What were its accomplishments?
To what extent did the Missouri Compromise effectively deal with the sectional conflict over slavery? Or did it merely shove it out of view?
Nullification Crisis
Jackson was not a big supporter of high tariffs
But totally rejected idea of nullification Caused split between Jackson and VP
Calhoun Calhoun resigned
Compromise
1833- new tariff that gradually lowered tariff rates
Force Bill – allowed President the use of force to collect tariff revenue
Authored by Henry Clay (The Great Compromiser)
Bank Crisis
Jackson distrusted Bank of the US Believed its policies had influenced the
Panic of 1819 1832 – Congress passes a renewal of
Bank’s charter Jackson vetoed legislation
Unconstitutional Harmful to the nation because it only
served the wealthy members of society
Bank Crisis
Jackson defeats Henry Clay in the Election of 1832
Continues assault on Bank of US Jackson withdraws federal money from
Bank of the US and deposited funds into “pet banks” in the states
Short term impact – facilitates loans for farmers
Long term impact – lead to economic downturn in 1837; many state banks were unregulated at the time
1836 – Bank’s charter expired
Published in 1833, this political cartoon entitled "The Diplomatic Hercules [Andrew Jackson] Attacking the Political Hydra [The Second Bank of the United States]" illustrates why the Bank War enhanced rather than hurt Jackson at the polls. Many voters saw the bank as a monster that used its tentacles of complicated financial policy to choke common people while enriching the speculators and merchants who supported it.
Andrew Jackson, aided by Martin Van Buren (center), attacks the Bank of the United States, which, like the many-headed serpent Hydra of Greek mythology, keeps sprouting new heads. The largest head belongs to Nicholas Biddle, the bank’s president.
Jackson’s Opponents
Whigs – party opposed to Jackson Called Jackson “King Andrew I) Whig was name given to opponents of King
George III in Parliament Emergence of Democrats as well as the
second party system
Limits to Democracy
Jackson linked to ideals of democracy throughout presidency
1. Jackson was a slave holder By 1840, about 140 slaves living on
Jackson’s plantation (the Hermitage) in TN 2. Did not support equality for women
Against women’s suffrage 3. Indian Removal
Political Cartoon This cartoon, which depicts
Native Americans as children or dolls subject to father Andrew Jackson, was intended as a satire on Jackson’s policy of forcibly removing the Indians to reservations. The painting in the upper right corner pointedly depicts the goddess Liberty trampling a tyrant.
Andrew Jackson imposed the Treaty of Fort Jackson on the Creek nation, ending the campaign against the Red Sticks. The treaty required the Creeks to pay the costs of the war, which Jackson estimated as the equivalent of 20 million acres. In moving the Creeks out of what is now central Alabama, Jackson initiated the Indians' forced removal from the south. Ironically, of the thirty-five chiefs who made their mark on the treaty, part of which is shown here, only one was a member of the Creek nation.
Removal of Native Americans from the South, 1820–1840Over a twenty-year period, the federal government and southern states forced Native Americans to exchange their traditional homes for western land. Some tribal groups remained in the South, but most settled in the alien western environment.
Indian Removal
Natives seen as a barrier to American expansion and economic advancement
Jackson supports removal to “Great American Desert”
Cherokee
Cherokee told to assimilate into US society following American Revolution Adopted a written constitution Grew cotton Some owned slaves
Georgia tried to assert authority over Cherokee land after finding gold
Indian Removal
Marshall argues Cherokees should not be forced to move
Jackson ignores Supreme Court ruling and pushes for removal
Minor Cherokee leaders agree to give up land for money
1838 – Trail of Tears: forced removal 15,000- 18,000 ¼ die Move from GA to OK