Post-Ghent Nationalism

1. Post-Ghent Nationalism

2. “Era of Good Feelings” • One view of this period (1815-1824…or 1828) was that in the post war years, there was an increased feeling of strong Nationalism / Patriotism: people had a new found pride in America: people put the national interest ahead of their own local / sectional interests: people saw themselves as American for the first time, rather than Virginians / Southerners / Northerners..

3. Success over the British in the War of 1812, the “Second War of Independence,” esp. the victories at Baltimore and at the Battle of New Orleans, seemed to unify the country and generate strong feelings of Nationalism and Patriotism • Less Sectionalism…More Nationalism

4. “Era of Good Feelings” • 1. Culture • 2. Military • 3. Economy • 4. Politics • 5. Social • 6. Judicial Decisions • 7. Foreign Policy

5. 1. Cultural Nationalism • Writing: • influenced by American themes, events, culture, places: a new pride in things American: no longer dependent on England / things English for their inspiration • James Fenimore Cooper and Washington Irving (Rip Van Winkle, Legend of Sleepy Hollow)

6. 1. Cultural Nationalism contd… • Art: • American themes and landscapes; • Hudson River School of Art (US landscape painting) founded by Thomas Cole • Textbooks and Magazines • (The North American Review): no longer imported from Britain but written by Americans for Americans about America

7. 1. Cultural Nationalism contd… • Music; • a new kind of music emerged, with songs about American themes / places / events Star Spangled Banner became popular, celebrating the victory at Baltimore • Architecture: • new style of building emerged, fusing rustic, rural architecture, with classical styles

8. 2. Military • Great pride in navy for victories on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, and in the army for victories at Baltimore and New Orleans • New found credibility, also from victories over Barbary Pirates in the aftermath of the War of 1812 • Nationalism / pride shown in expansion of standing army to 10,000, regardless of cost, and expansion of navy.

9. 3. Economic Nationalism • Bank of the US (BUS): • charter had ended in 1811 – was re-chartered in 1816: capital of $35m, Govt. again one-fifth shareowners: realized during the War how unstable the economy was without the Bank • Universally accepted that the BUS was valuable: expression of Nationalism, Nation before States

10. 3. Economic Nationalism • Tariffs: • Congress passed a protective Tariff in 1816, increasing the rate from 20% to 25%: to protect manufacturing industries that emerged during the Embargos and the War of 1812; British were trying to regain lost markets: • Even the South and John C. Calhoun of S.C, supported the new Tariff, after first expressing reservations…..it was in the interests of the whole nation

11. 3. Economic Nationalism • Transportation and Communication: • Individual states build better roads, canals (NY’s Erie Canal was started), railroads to facilitate transportation and communication within the states and with neighboring states: feeling that there was a need for states to be closer: brought people and states and nation closer together

12. 4. Political Unity • Only One Party Remained (Democratic-Republicans): Federalists were few and insignificant (discredited by Essex Junto, Hartford Convention): more unity, less criticism, dissension in Politics • President Monroe, 1817: • unified nation by: • Touring the entire country, not just the South, to emphasize that he was “everyone’s president” • Included Federalists, Northerners in his Cabinet

13. 4. Political Unity • Appointing Federalist J.Q. Adams as his Sec. of State, heir-apparent to the Presidency (would put an end to Virginia monopoly: Jefferson, Madison, Monroe) • Generous gestures • After Monroe’s visit to Boston, where he was received enthusiastically, the local Columbian Sentinel described the political atmosphere of the nation as an “Era of Good Feelings.”

14. 5. Social Advancement • Vast Migration West after 1815 (land sold at $2 an acre for 160 acres): now that Indian threat was removed by Harrison’s victory at Tippecanoe, the withdrawal of British support for tribes, and the Treaty of 1818 (coming in later slide) • Western settlers were grateful to the government for making this opportunity possible: they were Americans in the new territories before they became inhabitants of a State: their first allegiance was to the Federal Government

15. 6. Judicial Decisions • McCulloch v Maryland: • to prevent Maryland destroying a branch of the BUS by heavily taxing it: States could not tax Bank to destroy it, the BUS was constitutional under elastic clause and could not be destroyed by states: • “the power to tax is the power to destroy…” • a Nationalistic decision, favoring power of Federal Government, a Federal Govt. institution

16. 6. Judicial Decisions • Cohens v Virginia: • Cohens family found guilty in Va. of illegally selling lottery tickets: appealed case to Supreme Court: found in favor of Va.: exercising right of Federal Govt. / Judicial Branch to review decisions of states (even though supporting state decision) • Va. happy with decision but not with being second-guessed • Regarded as a case supporting Federalism

17. 6. Judicial Decisions • Gibbons v Ogden • State of NY wanted to give monopoly of water transportation on the Hudson – between NY and NJ - to a single company; Supreme Court reminded NY that interstate commerce was a Federal Govt. issue: • another nationalistic decision, emphasizing the authority of the Federal Govt. • Another case supporting Federalism

18. 6. Judicial Decisions • Supreme Court had emphasized Fed Govt. / Nation’s authority, over states: evidence of new strong nationalism…three states put in their place • Md • Va • NY

19. 7. Foreign Policy • US negotiated favorable / advantageous treaties with Foreign Countries, signifying new-found confidence, improved international status (nationalism contributed to and was enhanced by) • Rush-Bagot Treaty, 1817: with Br: to limit naval armament on the Great Lakes • Treaty of 1818: with Br: • allowed the US to share with Canada the fishing rights to Newfoundland • Fixed boundary between US Louisiana and Br Canada • Provided for a 10 yr joint occupation of Oregon

20. 7. Foreign Policy contd… • Florida-Purchase Treaty / Adams-Onis Treaty, with Spain, 1819: • Spanish had to send troops from Florida to suppress rebellion in Latin Am • Indians and slaves attacked US border settlers • Jackson drove them back and pursued deep into Florida (to St. Marks and Pensacola forts) • From censure to praise: J.Q. Adams • Sp realized that they could not defend Florida and could lost it any time to the US could; preferred to sell it and get credit / favor and money while they could, before US took it

21. Gave Florida to the US • Set out the boundary between the US and New Spain (now Mexico) • Settled another dispute along the Texas border and firmly established the boundary of U.S. territory and claims through the Rocky Mts. and west to the Pacific Ocean, in exchange for the U.S. paying residents' claims against the Spanish government up to a total of $5,000,000 and relinquishing its own claims on parts of Texas west of the Sabine River and other Spanish areas under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase

23. 7. Foreign Policy contd… • Monroe Doctrine, 1823. • "The American continents are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers….Furthermore, we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety." • The US had issued a “hands off” warning to Europe – stay away from the Western Hemisphere: it is off limits to any more European Imperialism (in return the US would not interfere in Europe)

24. 7. Foreign Policy contd… • Latin American countries had declared independence, taking advantage of the Napoleonic Wars • Now that Europe was at peace (Congress of Vienna etc) the US was anxious that they would not return • This was a bold and arrogant demand: the US had no jurisdiction and didn’t have the means to enforce it (only issued it because the British supported the idea – Europeans didn’t take it seriously)

25. Why did Monroe issue his declaration? • 1. Political Idealism - the US empathized with any country trying to maintain independence (had just won its own Second War of Independence) • 2. Economic motives – the US had been developing extensive trade with the newly independent Latin American which would be lost if the European Imperial powers returned

26. 3. Monroe saw this as an opportunity to arouse and unite the American people with an appeal to national pride… • the Doctrine was in one sense a culmination of the growing spirit of unity and nationalism that had been emerging in the US for over a decade • Knew British would support it… • It was an expression of post-Ghent nationalism: it was well received and widely supported • It also contributed to post-Ghent Nationalism

27. But was it more an “Era of Bad Feelings”? • Some historians argue that it was only an “Era of Good Feelings” on the surface….that deep down it was really an “Era of Bad Feelings,” a troubled period, with simmering tensions and rivalry which would later surface • People ignored the “bad feelings” – they badly wanted it to be an era of “good feelings”, but the negative issues would not go away

28. “Era of Bad (Inflamed) Feelings” • 1. Economy: The American System of Clay and Economic Crisis in 1819 • 2. Judicial Decisions: Supreme Court • 3. Re-emergence of the Issue of Slavery • 4. Revival of Party Strife

29. 1. Economy: The American System of Clay • Henry Clay, of Kentucky (War Hawk) put forward a plan called the American System which involved: • More Tariffs to protect industry • Use of this money to improve the system of transportation and communication, esp. roads and canals….build national roads….by the Federal Govt. (separate from state projects) • These improvements would benefit the entire nation: assisting with the flow of manufactured goods from North and East to the South and West, and of raw materials and food in the opposite direction.

30. But Clay's plans for federal funding, though supported by the Republican Congress, were opposed by Presidents Madison and Monroe (later Jackson) on the grounds that: • Fed govt. money should not be used for the benefit of a few states. • Using Fed funds for such projects was unconstitutional / loose Construction; these projects were the responsibility of each state.

31. Pres. Madison vetoed Calhoun's Bonus Bill of 1817 / Internal Improvements Bill which Congress had passed, which would have set aside $1.5m for internal improvements • The American System became a divisive Issue in Politics, among supporters and opponents within the same party and region • Those Against: it would drain people from the east: a few states would only benefit from money that was for the whole nation; it was unconstitutional (Democ-Reps) • Those For: it would improve transportation / communication….trade… and facilitate migration West….most supported by the West

32. 1. Economy: Economic Crisis in 1819 • Caused by: • 1. Decrease in demand from Europe for US goods / food now that Europe was at peace • 2. Over-speculation in Western Land at exorbitant prices due to “easy credit” from the various banks (wildcat / private banks, state banks), and the BUS (President Jones)

33. New BUS president Cheves, began to cut back on credit and to call in loans (would take only “specie” / hard money/ coins only) from banks and individuals • Creditors could not sell the overpriced land or sold below cost, to pay back their loans: Private and state Western banks began to go bankrupt and collapse • The BUS survived: “He saved the BUS but the people were ruined.” Many people were angry with the BUS for the closure of the state and wildcat banks (lost their shares, no source for loans): began to see it as an “evil Institution”, as “pro Eastern”, “anti-Western”, as a regional, biased institution

34. The West suffered most from the Crisis of 1819: deflation, depression, bankruptcies, bank failures, unemployment, soup kitchens, overcrowded debtors prisons. • Andrew Jackson, who himself lost a lot of money in land speculation, spoke out against the corruption of the BUS as the main cause of the Crisis – on behalf of Western settlers he demanded “cheaper land and cheaper money”: he became a spokesperson for those affected – the West, western farmers…

35. These events gave impetus once again tp SECTIONALISM and helped create political divisions within the dominant / main party, the Democ-Rep party.

36. 2. Judicial Decisions: Supreme Court • Two Supreme Court decisions in particular seemed to show that it favored the elite or upper classes as the Federalists had done. • These decisions appeared to advance the interests of the propertied classes - Federalist supporters - esp. those engaged in commerce, at the expense of the less privileged classes.

37. Fletcher v Peck - 1810 • Constitution stated that no state shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts. (Art. 1, Sec. 10) • Issue: Yazoo River Company land frauds • The Court had to decide whether the Georgia legislature of 1796 could rightfully repeal the act of the previous legislature granting 35m acres to this company under shady circumstances – bribes etc. • Marshall held that a land grant was a contract and therefore, regardless of any corruption involved, the repeal was invalid, because states could not overturn contracts. • Seen as a decision on behalf of the propertied class over the people

38. Dartmouth College vs Woodward – 1819 • Again about “the sanctity of contracts” – contract clause of Constitution • College had been granted a charter by King George III in 1769, making it an independent college • New Hampshire wanted to put the College under state control • College appealed to State Supreme Ct, found in favor of the State: then appealed to Supreme Ct, found in favor of the College • Marshall declared that the original charter was a contract which must stand: created or affirmed protection for corporations and other private institutions from local govt. interference • Seemed like a decision in favor of elitism / private school etc…

39. 3. Re-emergence of the Issue of Slavery • North opposed, South in favor of slavery • Debate about slavery had been put aside during the Constitutional Convention, in the interests of Unity • Agreed not to tamper with the Slave Trade for at least 20 yrs – 1807: (abolished in that year) • Issue became really divisive in 1819: Missouri applied for statehood (had 60,000 people) as a slave state

40. Balance was at 11 free and 11 slaves states in the Senate (105 to 81 in Hse of Reps in favor of Nth): Missouri would give the slave states a majority in the Senate…power of veto over Hse • Led to upsurge in antislavery agitation in the North • Tallmadge Amendment was proposed as a requirement to the acceptance of Missouri’s application.

41. Tallmadge Amendment: • 1. no more slaves to be admitted to Missouri • 2. children of slaves to be gradually given Emancipation • This would make Missouri a Free State eventually • South was outraged by the Amendment. Slavery was not illegal: (Constitution makes two other references (other than Slave Trade continuing for 20 years minimum) • 1. Three Fifths Compromise • 2. Article IV Sec. 2 all states must return runaway slaves). • Since not forbidden it was a States Right…Felt that this was a dangerous precedent, allowing restrictions to be imposed on slavery…a threat to States Rights?

42. Tallmadge Amendment was rejected by Senate (tied 11-11: not a two-thirds majority)...stalemate… .revival of Sectionalism • Eventually Compromised…with the help of Henry Clay - after Maine (part of Mass) also applied to become a state • Congress agreed to the Missouri Compromise

43. 1. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state - a victory for South • 2. The free state of Maine would also be admitted - a victory for North : balance stayed at 12 each in the Senate (24-24) which made both happy • 3. Slavery to be prohibited in all the rest of the Louisiana Territory north of the southern boundary of Missouri - latitude 36' 30'. • Regarded as a victory for the North, since this inc. all the remaining unsettled land. Sth not too concerned at this time- because they did not feel the land here was suitable for plantations and so slaves wd not be needed.

44. The Missouri Compromise, like the Constitution, only settled the issue temporarily, - really “ducked” the question, it did not resolve it. • Yet, the Compromise held for 34 yrs before breaking down….helped delay the Civil War for 42 yrs more years • The whole episode revealed a strong undercurrent of sectionalism that competed with the powerful tide of nationalism. Represented a setback for Nationalism. • Jefferson’s comments at this time were ominous – he said that: “This momentous question, like a fire-bell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror.”

45. John Q Adams, Sec. of state, said that it was only a matter of time before the South seceded and Civil War was fought. • The Missouri Compromise by delaying the Civil War enabled the North to win in 1861 – in the meantime the Nth became more industrialized, modernized, and populated – it might not have won in 1820 if the South had tried to secede then

46. 4. Revival of Party Strife • This time it was internal to the Democratic-Rep Party. • Strong differences of opinion within the party were emerging – American System, Depression of 1819, Supreme Court decisions, Slavery - began to divide Democratic-Reps internally.

47. 4 candidates ran for the Presidential Election of 1824 • Crawford – Sec. of the Treasury, the candidate chosen by Party Caucus. Candidate selected by caucus had never been opposed before. • but 3 others were put forward by their states, ignoring the choice of the caucus • Jackson of Tennessee, hero of New Orleans • Henry Clay of Kentucky, Speaker of the House (American System) • J.Q. Adams of Mass, Sec. of State to Monroe.

48. In the Popular Vote only 25% of voters turned out to vote (total vote of 356,038) • Jackson came in first, with 153,544: • Adams got 40,000 less with 108,740 votes • Jackson also had most Electoral College votes - but not a majority: • Jackson 99 • Adams 84 • Crawford 41 • Clay 37

49. Since no one had a majority of Electoral Votes, which acc. to 12th Amend was necessary to win, the election was to be decided by the House of Reps, voting as states, from among the top three candidates • Clay was out of the running (Crawford pulled out too – ill) – Choice between Jackson and Adams • Jackson’s followers insisted that he should be elected - he was really the people's choice. • But Clay, as Speaker of the House and with 37 electors could sway the issue. He could be the broker. And he wanted to benefit from it.

50. Jackson and Clay were political adversaries: rivals for support in the West, and they disagreed over the American System, • Supposedly, Clay made contact with Jackson, suggesting that they make a deal, but Jackson dismissed any such suggestion saying that if he went to the White House he would go there with “clean hands.” • Clay then may have made a deal with Adams (they had not been close, but at least agreed on the American System). (no hard evidence of a formal bargain). • Jackson claimed there was a “Corrupt Bargain” (bribe – a bargain, maybe, but “corrupt’?) between them – Clay got his supporters in the Hse. to vote for Adams, he won – he appointed Clay as his Sec. of State, which would put him in a strong position to be the next president