The Era of Good Feelings

Republicans took firm control of the government. The presidential election of 1816 resulted in a landslide victory for Republican candidate James Monroe of Virginia. He defeated Rufus King, the Federalist candidate, by 183 to 34 electoral votes.  He was warmly greeted in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the only states that had not voted for him in 1816. The old arguments over the War of 1812 seemed to have faded away.

Building the National Economy

After 1815, many Americans believed the federal government should take action to increase economic prosperity in all regions of the country. Even the Republicans began to see merit in certain federal programs. Republicans had been known for stressing states´ rights.Those who favored federal action were Henry Clay of Kentucky, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, and Daniel Webster of Massachusetts.

Mexico Breaks Away

Father Miguel Hidalgo organized an army of Native Americans that freed several Mexican provinces. In 1811, Hidalgo was captured and executed by troops loyal to Spain.

Another Revolution broke out in 1820. Spain finally agreed to Mexico´s independence.

They patterned after the United States Constitution.

The Second Bank of the United States

Congress passed a law in 1791 creating the first Bank of the United States. In 1811, the Bank ceased to exist. Its charter a legal document giving certain rights to a person or company had run out. State banks made too many loans and issued too much money.To cure these problems, Congress established the second Bank of the United States in 1816.

The Tariff of 1816

Another problem the nation faced after the War of 1812 was foreign competition. Most British goods had been kept out of the United States by the Embargo Act and the War of 1812. This helped American industry grow rapidly. New American factories made textiles, smelted iron, and produced many other products.

Clay´s American System

As the debate over tariffs raged, Henry Clay came up with a plan that he believed would help the economy of each section of the country. He called his plan the American System. It proposed high tariffs and a federal program of public works. Clay believed that high tariffs helped all regions of the country, not just the North. 

Three Important Supreme Court Rulings

The Supreme Court also promoted national economic growth and the power of the federal government during this era. Led by Chief Justice John Marshall the Court issued a series of important rulings between 1819 and 1824. In McCulloch v. Maryland the Court protected the second Bank of the United States.

Dealing with Other Nations

Relations With Spain

At the time of the War of 1812, the United States and Haiti were the only parts of the Americas not under European control. Spain controlled more territory in the Americas than any other European country. However, Spain’s power had steadily weakened over several hundred years. Spain’s control was especially weak in Florida. Spain could not stop enslaved African Americans who escaped from plantations in Georgia and Alabama from crossing into Florida. 

Spanish Colonies Win Independence

By 1810, opposition to Spanish rule ran strong in Spain´s American colonies. The French and American revolutions had inspired Latin Americans to want to control their own affairs.

Independence for South and Central America

South America was affected by revolutionary change. Here, the best known leader of the struggle for independence from Spain was Simón Bolívar.

The Monroe Doctrine

 France and Russia indicated that they might help Spain regain its colonies. This worried President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams. It also worried the British. Both nations wanted to protect trade with Latin America. In 1823, Britain suggested that the two countries issue a joint statement. The statement would announce their determination to protect the freedom of the new nations of Latin America

Relations with Canada

Canada remained a British colony after the American Revolution. In 1791, the country was divided into two parts. Upper Canada was mainly English, and Lower Canada was mainly French. In 1837, there were rebellions against British rule in both parts of Canada. Although the British put down the rebellions, they learned a lesson. They could no longer deny rights to Canadians. Britain would have to give Canadians more powers of self-government.

Democracy in the Age of Jackson

Extending the right to vote was part of a larger spread of democratic ideas. Supporters of Andrew Jackson believed that ordinary people should vote in elections, hold public office, and do anything else they had the ability to do. Jackson’s supporters strongly opposed special privileges for those of high social status.

The age of Jackson

Adams and Jackson in Conflict

Andrew Jackson served two terms as President, from 1829 to 1837. His presidency marked the opening of a new and more democratic era in American political life.Jackson stood for the idea that ordinary people should participate in American political life. As a general and later as President, Andrew Jackson was deeply loved by millions of ordinary Americans.

The Election of 1824

Jackson first ran for President in 1824. His opponents were John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford of Georgia. Jackson received the most electoral votes, but not a majority.Jackson reacted with fury. He had won the most popular votes and the most electoral votes, but still had lost the election. When Adams appointed Clay secretary of state, Jackson’s supporters claimed the two men had made a “corrupt bargain.”

The Presidency of John Quincy Adams 

 He accomplished little, even though he had ambitious plans for the nation. He supported Clay’s American System and wanted the federal government to play a larger role in supporting the American economy.

A New Era in Politics

The election of 1824 disappointed Andrew Jackson and his followers. Still the election began a new era in American politics. Back in the 1790s, states had begun extending suffrage Many states dropped the requirement that men had to own property to be able to participate in voting. 

New Political Parties

The Age of Jackson brought back the two-party system which had briefly ended during the Era of Good Feelings. During the 1824 election, the Republican Party split. Supporters of Adams called themselves National Republicans. Jackson’s supporters used the name Democrats. In 1831, the National Republicans nominated Henry Clay to run against Jackson.

Jackson Becomes President

3 times as many people voted in the election of 1828 as had voted in 1824. Most of these new voters supported Jackson, who easily defeated Adams.

Conflict Over Land

To government leaders, the presence of Native Americans in the Southeast stood in the way of westward expansion of the United States. Furthermore, the Native Americans lived on fertile land. White farmers wanted that land for growing cotton.

Jackson’s Inauguration

Jackson’s supporters called the election a victory for the “common man.” His inauguration in March 1829 showed what they meant. Thousands of ordinary working people went to Washington for the event.  One member of the Supreme Court complained about the “reign of King Mob.” A Jackson supporter saw things more positively: “It was the People’s day, and the People’s President, and the People would rule.”

The Spoils of Victory

Jackson began his term by replacing some government officials with his supporters. Previous Presidents had done the same thing. In fact, during his two terms Jackson replaced only about 20 percent of federal officeholders.

Indian Removal

Native Americans of the Southeast

When Andrew Jackson became President, more than 100,000 Native Americans still lived east of the Mississippi River. Many were farmers or lived in towns. In 1827, the Cherokees established a government based on a written constitution. They claimed status as a separate nation.

Forced Movement

Policies to move Native Americans from their lands dated from the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson hoped the movement would be voluntary. . In 1825, President James Monroe suggested a plan to move all Native Americans living east of the Mississippi to land west of the river. However, nothing came of the plan. Yet, year by year, the pressure on the Native Americans of the Southeast grew.

Forced Movement pt. 2

In 1825 and 1827, the state of Georgia passed a law forcing the Creeks to give up most of their land. In 1828, Georgia tried to get the Cherokees to do the same. The state said the Cherokees were not a separate nation and they had to move off their land.