Unit Six: Chapter TwelveThe Development of Nationalism

James Monroe (1817-1825), Republican

‘Era of Good Feelings,” which was marked by the domination of the Democratic-Republicans, and the decline of the Federalist Party

Postwar peace and political tranquility > four states added to union

Elizabeth Monroe

National identity grew, most notably through the westward movement of the country and various public works projects

Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina

“American System” = Clay’s planNational Bank (2nd National Bank) Tax on imported goods to protect domestic products National system of roads and canals

By adopting the American System, the government acknowledged the federal government had a role in fostering economic and commercial conditions, in which farmers and merchants could succeed….Market Revolution.

GOAL: American economic self-sufficiency

John Quincy Adams was Monroe’s Secretary of StateJQ Adams negotiated the Adams-Onís or Transcontinental Treaty (aka the Florida Purchase Treaty) in 1819, which helped define the United States-Mexico border

Spanish empire failing in Latin America and EuropeSpain ceded Florida and all previous claims it had to the Louisiana Territory and OregonUS relinquished claims on Texas, and Spain kept California and New Mexico regionUS assumed responsibility for the $5 million in claims US citizens (US merchants) had against Spain

Panic of 1819Brought on by

Over speculation in frontier lands Price of cotton, which had skyrocketed with the worldwide demand for cotton, tumbled when British manufacturers sought cheaper sources…India. Price of tobacco plummeted Wheat fell from $2.41 a bushel to 88 cents a bushelState banks built on inflated and fraudulent credit wavered and then crashedMilitary pensions, which came due to Revolutionary War veterans consumed 16% of the federal budget

Led to DeflationDepressionBankruptcies, Bank failures

Unemployment Soup kitchensImprisonment for debt

There was a call to revoke the charter of Second Bank of the United States. Several states tried to levy heavy taxes on the Bank, however, the Supreme Court ruled in McCulloch v Maryland that the laws of the federal government “form the supreme law of the land”.

Monroe was not blamed for the hard times…won his reelection in 1820.

Missouri Compromise 1820Henry Clay’s solution to the deadlock over the issue of the acceptance of the proposed new state, Missouri

At the time, the Senate was evenly divided between slave and free statesA slave state of Missouri would tip the balance of powerJohn Tallmadge tried to add an antislavery amendment meant to prohibit the growth of slavery into Missouri and to free slaves already in Missouri when they had reach a certain age (25)

The Tallmadge Amendment caused the Senate to block the Missouri Compromise; it sparked heated debate about the future of slavery

To settle the dispute, northern Massachusetts became a new free state – Maine

The legislative section prohibiting slavery in Missouri was replaced by a clause stating that all land of the Louisiana Purchase north of thirty-six-thirty north latitude would prohibit slavery

Many whites in North and South of all political persuasions agreed that as many blacks as possible should be shipped to Africa.

The American Colonization Society founded in 1816-1817 procured Liberia off the west coast of Africa for this purpose. The capital was named Monrovia for President Monroe.

Monroe Doctrine (excerpts from Monroe’s message to Congress, December 2, 1823); written by John Quincy Adams

European powers should not attempt to establish colonial rule over the newly independent states: “The occasion has been judged proper for asserting…that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers…” 

The United States will not interfere in existing European colonies but will oppose interference with the liberated former colonies: “With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power, who have not interfered, and shall not interfere. But with the government who have declared their independence…we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling, in any other manner, their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition towards the United States.”

European powers should not attempt to impose monarchical rule: “We should consider any attempt on their [Europe’s] part to extend their [political] system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety.”

Monroe doctrine was a response to the fear that Russia had designs on Alaska and Oregon The United States was incapable of enforcing the doctrine at the time, should she have been challenged

Monroe doctrine NOT a law…simply the thoughts of the president warning European powers to stay away!