Growing Sectionalism

1. Growing Sectionalism Chapter 3, Section 3

2. An ‘Era of Good Feelings’ • This era has been nicknamed the ‘Era of Good Feelings’ because of the surge in nationalism– glorification of one’s country– that occurred following the War of 1812. • The Democratic-Republicans were not challenged politically, as James Monroe easily won re-election.

3. Domestic Policies • Henry Clay pushed his economic policy (called the American System), which would stabilize the U.S. economy and yield internal improvements. • John Marshall’s Supreme Court’s encouraged nationwide trade with the following court cases: • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)– Congress has the power to charter a national bank; • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)– steamboat traffic is ‘commerce’ and interstate commerce is regulated by the federal gov. • Art and literature reflected nationalism American Renaissance. • Hudson River School= landscape paintings

4. Foreign Policies • John Quincy Adams, Monroe’s Secretary of State, used the sense of nationalism to expand the nation. • In 1819, the Spanish agreed to sell Florida to the United States. The terms of the Adams-Onis Treaty also ended claims to the Pacific Territory of Oregon. • In order to prevent future conflicts with European nations, Adams formulated the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that Europeans would stay out of American affairs.

5. The Missouri Compromise- Background • Growing tensions between the regions (sectionalism) still lingered, mainly over the issue of slavery. • Missouri wanted to be admitted to the U.S. • The balance of an equal # of free and slave states would be upset. • Missouri wanted to enter as a slave state. • Henry Clay (the Great Compromiser) created the Missouri Compromise to appease both the slave-holding South and the North.

6. Missouri Compromise- Stipulations • Clay proposed that Missouri would be admitted as a slave state, but the northern district of Mass. (i.e. Maine) would enter as a free state. • This would maintain the numbers balance. • To eliminate further debate, a line was drawn at the 36°30’ parallel. • This line exemplified the regional split– slavery in the South, no slavery in the North.

7. Jacksonian Democracy Chapter 3, Section 4

8. The Election of 1824 • The election of 1824 pitted four candidates for the presidency. • John Quincy Adams (Monroe’s Sec of State) • Andrew Jackson (war hero from TN) • Henry Clay (Kentucky) • William Crawford (GA) • Jackson won the popular vote, but did not have a majority of the electoral votes. • The decision went to the House of Reps • Henry Clay threw his support to Adams. When Adams won the election, Clay was named his Secretary of State. • Jackson accused the two men of a “corrupt bargain”.

9. Jackson’s Response • Jackson began working towards the 1828 election. • He did something new to the presidency– he went across the country campaigning for himself. • This coincided with a change in the election process for many states. • Electors would be chosen based on the popular vote; • Many states eliminated the property requirement to vote to accommodate the low wages of industrial workers. • Free blacks and women were still restricted from voting.

10. Jackson Emerges • Jackson was seen as the embodiment of democratic principles. • He promoted majority rule and the power of the common man. • Jackson’s supporters called themselves Democrats. • Jackson easily won the election with 56% of the popular vote and 2/3 of the electoral vote. • Jackson’s campaign (led by his manager Martin Van Buren) promised a return to Jeffersonian principles. • Jackson also promised not to interfere with the issue of slavery.

11. The Spoils System • The Democrats transformed party structure. Everyone in the party, no matter their political level, had to obey democratic principles or else be cast out. • Elections became more business-like with ‘professional politicians’ and campaign managers. • Those loyal to the party were rewarded with government jobs. • When Jackson became president, Martin Van Buren became Secretary of State. (Sound familiar?) • The practice of rewarding followers with government jobs became known as the spoils system.

12. Native Americans • Much of Jackson’s support came from the South. • When Southerners asked that 60,000 Native Americans be removed from land viable for cotton, Jackson obliged. • Jackson had already petitioned Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act. • This would negotiate a land tradeoff– give up southern lands for land in he Indian Territory (Oklahoma)

13. Native Americans • In Worchester v Georgia (1832), the Native Americans took their case to the Supreme Court. • John Marshall ruled in favor of the Native Americans keeping their land. • Jackson’s response “John Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it.” • Jackson required Native Americans to walk from Georgia to Oklahoma on what would become known as the Trail of Tears.

14. Review Questions • How did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) demonstrate nationalism? • The cases demonstrated a push for states’ rights. • The cases further established powers of the federal government. • The cases promoted the rights of immigrants. • The cases stopped immigration. • What territory did the United States NOT acquire during the Era of Good Feelings? • Florida • Present-day Oregon • Texas • Present-day Washington

15. Review Questions • Why did Jackson lose the election of 1824? • He did not receive a majority of the popular vote • Clay dropped from the race and pledged his support to Adams if he was named Secretary of State • He did not have any notoriety • Jackson did not run in 1824. • Why were Native Americans forced off of their land? • White settlers wanted the resources • They had signed a treaty to give up the land, but then changed their mind. • The land was not habitable any longer • They preferred to live in Oklahoma

16. Ticket-Out-the-Door • What was the experience like of the Native Americans who were on the Trail of Tears?