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DBQ Nationalism And Sectionalism

Decent Essays

Nicole Vindollo Mrs. Segal US History I/Pd. 9 23 March 2015 The Era of Good Feeling: The Effects and Consequences of Nationalism and Sectionalism In 1815, shortly before the start of James Monroe’s presidency and after the War of 1812, a historical period known as the “Era of Good Feeling” commenced in America. However, though the name of this age alone insinuated a time of unity and prosperity within the nation, sectionalism became an unequivocal dilemma that seeped through the government’s attempts in promoting nationalism, and ultimately divided the country. The Era of Good Feeling was a time where only one political party reigned, sense of unity prevailed, and …show more content…

These developments in transportation allowed for easier distribution of goods, thus benefitting them as well. However, the protective tariff prevented the South’s economy from growing, thus leading to an evident economic gap between the North and the South, as the former’s economy started to boom due to the increase in manufacturing. John Randolph argued, “The agriculturalists bear the whole brunt of the war and taxation, and remain poor, while the others run in the ring of pleasure and fatten upon them” (Document 1). The transportation on the other hand, was unwanted by the South due to the vast plantations that the road and canal systems would interrupt. As economic, social, and political differences between the country began to be more evident, the government struggled even more to keep the country as one. In late 1819, Missouri requested for admission into the union as a slave state. However, the issue between factions of proslavery and antislavery already created high tension within the Congress, and would worsen if Missouri was accepted as a slave state. Congress found solution in admitting Maine as a free state in order to prevent the delicate balance between the two sections from being destroyed.The Missouri Compromise also created an imaginary line across the Louisiana Territory as

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