When America gained its independence and finished formulating its government, the nation found itself split into two factions: Democratic-Republicans and Federalists. These two parties battled for control of the country until the dissolution of the Federalist party after the War of 1812. This led to the Era of Good Feelings, in which America’s government operated for the first time under a one-party system, but the Era came to an end with the Election of 1824, where the party split in two in support of two opposing candidates. The new National Republican party, later evolving into the Whig party, formed around Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams, while the Democratic party formed in support of Andrew Jackson. After J.Q.A. won the 1824 election, …show more content…
During his campaign, the “common man” was a poor, uneducated farmer who was disillusioned with the federal government, and Andrew Jackson seemed to personify everything that the previous Presidents were not. Both the second president to be almost completely uneducated as well as the first president from the West, he grew up on the frontier, and his policies reflected that. Aligning himself with the belief that Native American land should be open for settlement, he displayed the mindset of many poor farmers out West. Thus, he passed the Indian Removal Act, which forced the first peoples even farther from their homelands, to the delight of Americans that were looking for new farmland on the frontier. He also hated the national bank, which he viewed as the primary way that rich people in the East were siphoning money from the …show more content…
In addition, despite insisting that he was a champion of the people, he consistently attempted to increase his executive power over the other two branches of the government. He rejected Congress, the direct representation of our citizens, saying that they did not truly represent the people. He imposed unprecedented tariffs and attempted to invade states when they protested, despite previously campaigning for states’ rights. In addition, although the people on his campaign did an amazing job painting him as a simple-minded poor frontiersman, Jackson was actually one of the richest men in America at the
Then came about the Era of Good Feelings which was the period in which the disappearance of the Federalists enabled the Republicans to govern in a spirit of seemingly nonpartisan harmony. The diplomatic achievements of the Era or Good Feelings were due almost entirely to the efforts of John Quincy Adams, Monroe’s secretary of state. During the election of 1824 John Quincy Adams was against Andrew Jackson, Jackson had more electoral and popular votes but Adams won the election. Adams won because neither candidate had an electoral majority, leaving it up to the House of Representatives to decide. Adams only served for one term, there was no question about the fact Jackson was going to win the next election and he did. The election of 1828 was the first to demonstrate the power and effectiveness of the new popular democratic culture and party system. The Democrat party was formed under the leadership of Andrew Jackson; favoring states’ rights and a limited role for the federal government.
Jackson also gave government jobs to regular people. This was called the spoils system. He appointed people to federal jobs depending on whether they had campaigned for the Democratic Party. Anyone currently in office who was not a democratic was replaced with a democrat. This was called the spoils system because it promoted a corrupt government. He also believed in rotation in office. He wanted to make it possible for more democrats to have government jobs, so he limited a person's time in office to one term. The spoils system showed how one man was no better than another and helped build a strong two-party system.
During the early 1800's France and Britain were at war and for many years America remained neutral. But, Great Britain began seizing American ships and impressing the Americans into the British Navy. In addition, Great Britain was supplying the Native Americans in North America with guns and, as a result America declared war on Britain in 1812. The phrase "Era of Good Feelings" was used to describe the administrations of Munroe in 1816 but the validity of this phrase is questioned. Many people might believe that the period after the war of 1812 was an "Era of Good Feelings" because of the nation's gain of nationalism and expansion of the country, but it was not because of growing sectionalism and state issues.
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.
During the presidency of James Monroe, a period known as “The Era of Good Feelings” surfaced among the United States. Monroe, nominated by the Republicans, carried on the Virginia Dynasty by being elected President in 1816. At this point in time, the Federalists were fading out fast. In fact, James Monroe had beat out the last Federalist candidate in this election. The collapse of the Federalist Party is accountable for the rise of a singular political party in the nation - the Democratic-Republicans.
Andrew Jackson appealed to the common man as being a military hero, frontiersman, and a populist. Though Jackson challenged the political, social and economic upper class. Jackson and the democrats reinforced this image because they fought for white individual liberty, equality of economic opportunity, political democracy and he went with his better judgement despite the supreme court's decision.
There had been a war between Britain and America, it was known as the War of 1812. This war was the turning point of America because it had soon led the nation to an “Era of Good Feelings.” The “Era of Good Feelings” is an ironic name because during this time period (1815-1825), it promoted both sectionalism and nationalism. Although some felt strongly for one way, there were some people who were in the middle and not exactly which sure they agreed with most. Nationalism is the unification of a country, and it shows how the country, and how it shouldn’t be split up.”
The United States after the War of 1812, is often described as very strong, as they had just recovered from conflicts with Britain and, as always, are hopeful for new beginnings. Historians often claim that this stage after the war is called the “Era of Good Feelings”- meaning that during this period the United States only grew stronger. However, the “Era of Good Feelings” does not live up to its name; due to the constant complications in economical (tariffs), political (corrupt bargain), and societal (slavery controversy) issues—nationalism wavers and sectionalism seems to be a reoccurring theme.
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.
The Era of Good Feelings The War of 1812 was between the British and the United States that was influenced by the war hawks in the country and the outrage Great Britain caused in America. Their impressment of sailors, refusal to withdraw soldiers from America and trade with the Native Americans all led to the cry for war from America. After the War of 1812, The United States entered a time that came to be known as the Era of Good Feelings. This era began with the inauguration of James Monroe as the 5th president of the United States. With president Monroe in office, the country entered a time where only one political party existed.
In my opinion, I believe that the “Era of Good Feelings” should not be called that because it was in fact not a good era. There was a lot of slavery and national debt. The “Era of Good Feelings” was not an era of good feelings. The national banks were in national debt, which affected many people. There was a lot of slavery going on, which on its own is awful.
“The Era of Good Feeling” was a time of increased nationalism and prosperity for the nation. This of course is not completely true, debates over many important issues created a crack in the outward appearance of harmony during President Monroe’s two terms. These issues include sectionalism, foreign policy of isolationism and the rights of states vs. the rights of the federal government.
When America entered the time called the “Era of Good Feelings”, there were numerous debates over issues such as congress and policies, and multiple compromises. There were some positive outcomes from this time period, but the negative aspects heavily outweigh the positive ones. Some of the negative aspects during this time period were the sectionalism that began to take place in the country due to controversies like disunion between the people, disagreement in political issues, and finally the rise of the effects of the War of 1812. The Era of Good Feelings” was a drastic step forward in American history and did represent a period in which progress grew and new ideas and compromises happened.
The “Era of Good Feelings” was a traditional name given to the years of James Monroe’s presidency, following the end of the War of 1812. Events such as the Louisiana Purchase, which nearly doubled the size of American land and proved the Federalist party didn’t have much as they opposed the purchase, and fighting against the Barbary Pirates which gained the American navy respect made people in America proud to be there and led up to the “good feelings.” The time was mostly characterized by an increase of nationalistic spirits as the Republican party become the single party in the United States after Monroe won against Rufus King, his Federalist opponent in the 1816 election. Nationalism would have a large influence on many features of American culture and economics; however, there were also many tensions growing during this time as well. There was much discourse over issues such as the national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements. The Republican party was the sole party at the time, it was also dividing, with many supporting what was once Federalist policies. Sectional differences over slavery and states rights would also have a major impact on politics and economics, with greater importance than the results of nationalistic influences.
Andrew Jackson, whose presidential term lasted from 1829-1837, was the first president to ever be chosen by the people to lead. Because he was not born into a rich family, people felt that they could relate to him better. He too preferred supporting the common public over the wealthy aristocrats. During Jackson’s period in office he was able to shift the majority of power in the United States to farmers and small businesses in the western part of the country. Jackson vetoed many bills in order to benefit common people and also created the spoils system to balance out his cabinet. Like Jefferson, Jackson was extremely opposed to the Bank of the U.S., believing that it would only make the wealthy even