19th Century American History: America's Second War of Independence

In the 1800’s following the war of 1812, the term commonly applied to that era in the United States was known as the “era of good feelings”. While the United States was growing in several different aspects, such as politically, socially and economically, and changing as a country, there are several key factors that denote this term, and nullify its meaning. While the changes were significant, and the United States evolved at an exponential rate after the war of 1812, the accuracy of the term “era of good feelings” is way off, and the United States was anything but experiencing an “era of good feelings”.

The U.S. government encouraged westward expansion through the Louisiana Purchase and the Homestead Act. President Thomas Jefferson acted on the Louisiana Purchase, after buying the land from France for millions of dollars, he also believed in the idea of moving west and thought of it as a

The period after the War of 1812 during the presidency of James Monroe is often referred to as the “era of good feelings” because of a feeling of nationalism, a feeling of pride and national unity. The end of the Federalist Party also provided the nation with a feeling of nationalism, for there was no political opposition toward the Republicans. This title, however, may not be the most accurate label for this particular time period, for this time period marked the beginnings of sectionalism, with heated debates over tariffs, the National Bank, and most importantly, over slavery.

Since the turn of the nineteenth century, Western territorial expansion started to increase a sense of sectionalism throughout America. President Jefferson obtained the Louisiana purchase from Napoleon in 1803, gaining unfamiliar territory West of the Mississippi

The Westward Expansion started prior to The Revolutionary War, settlers were migrating westward to what states are now modern day Kentucky and Tennessee in hopes for a fruitful life and larger job opportunity. This Westward Expansion was aided through the Louisiana purchase in 1803, in which the United States purchased territory from France, resulting in doubling in size of the country. This Louisiana purchase was stretched from the Mississippi River to the eastern Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Gulf of Mexico all the way to the south of the Canadian border in the north. In result of the Westward Expansion , families would pick up and walk as far west as

By any criteria the years following the War of 1812, otherwise known as the “Era of Good Feelings,” must be considered a time of exceptional growth and development in the United States, but above all, it may be considered a time of evolution and ripening of American nationalism, unification, and economic prowess. The war of 1812 was a very problematic war. States did not fulfill their duties, while commanders and leaders were not informed or supplied enough to keep up the war. But what awakened during this time and afterwards is something much greater then victory. The war wasn’t just about Britain holding land and impressing American sailors into their navy; it was a second war of independence. It was the first war as a united country,

The period after the war of 1812 was labeled “The Era of Good Feeling” by historians. Some people believe that this is an accurate label of this time period, but others disagree. Due to the emergence of sectionalism- concern with local interests, and nationalism- patriotic feelings and self pride, people had mixed feelings about this time period. Many people felt that times were high, and that nationalism and sectionalism could only bolster the union, while others thought that it was sectionalism and nationalism that caused disunion. Some of the documents used in this essay support the claim that the period after 1812 was an era of good feelings. Other documents will oppose this claim with proof from their own perspectives.

The years 1815 to 1825 are incorrectly titled the “Era of Good Feelings.” Though many consider this time period to be one of unity and nationalism, the occurrences of this age indicate otherwise. Though there were a small amount of beneficial happenings in this era, the bad greatly outweighs the good. Perhaps America prospered economically toward the end of the era with industrialism thriving, but slavery, taxation, and the expansion of the country beckons the question of how this time in America’s history could have ever been called the Era of Good Feelings. This era included much conflict and shaped the future events to come.

In the years following the War of 1812, the “Era of Good Feelings” evolved between the years 1815 and 1825. In the first half of this period, there was a strong sense of nationalism throughout the United States. However, political changes and economic differences between the states warped this nationalism into the sectionalism that divided the country into north, south and west regions. Celebrations of unity within the United States soon turned into disagreements concerning representation within the government and the differences within the national government caused by the emergence of different Republican factions. States distanced themselves from working collectively in a united economy. They were largely concerned with

Since the creation of the United States Constitution, the many leaders of our nation took different roles in trying to attain perfectionism for their country. From the federalist views of John Adams to the democratic views of Jefferson, America was experiencing the endeavor that was being a young nation in the midst of the 19th century. The emergence of John Quincy Adams in 1820 started an “Era of Good Feelings” with exceptional political advancements and economic achievements. While Jackson’s democratic views were not always what were expected, during his presidency, the country grew national and world attraction. Through periods of boom and bust, political and economic changes in America undeniably helped reshape society between the years 1820 and 1848 with the emergence of new and innovative advancements.

As the War of 1812 came to a close, feelings of intense nationalism rose within the United States. This sudden uproar of pride was known as “The Era of Good Feelings”. Eventually, this term became known as the time of James Monroe’s presidency. While, Monroe’s presidency brought about feelings of optimism and patriotism, they did not last long. These harmonious feelings of nationalism were overcome by heated debates over the imposition of tariffs, and disagreements over the national bank, internal improvements and public land sales.

After the War of 1812 much of America's attention turned to exploration and settlement of its territory to the West, which had been greatly enlarged by the Louisiana Purchase.

The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of U.S in 1803. But it is not enough for ambitious Americans, we are not satisfied, we wanted more territory. So western expansion did not end, it actually keep moved. Westward Expansion is a very significant part in U.S history. It operated perfectly based on the ideology called manifest destiny. However, the creation of this theory is on purpose. It was used to push U.S territory to further west.

The Seven Years War in 1763 was an instrumental turning point for the American Colonies. Shortly after the initial excitement of winning the Seven Years War ended, tensions between the American colonies and the British Empire rose. These tensions were largely due to the financial mess that was created by the war, miscommunication, and a struggle for power. The British Empire’s need to regain power over the American colonies and organize the new territories gained by the war served to intensify the tension. These tensions set the stage for the beginning of a new era in the Americas, which led to the Declaration of Independence. Overall, the American Colonies declaring independence from Britain was inevitable and a very logical thing to do.

America, the land of the free, gained its original independence by fighting off the British in the Revolutionary War. With the British infringing on their unalienable rights, the American colonist knew they needed to take action to stop the overpowering British monarchy to preserve their freedom. The same situation arose in 1803 when the British started seizing American ships and stealing their goods. By 1812 the United States was fed up with Great Britain and their rebellious acts towards them. The United States declared war on June 18, 1812. Why is it that the American people consider the War of 1812 to be the second war of independence?