Dbq #3

Moses
Ms. Densley
DBQ#3
12/14/12 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 through the practice of impressments made the Americans join the British Navy. Great Britain was also starting to supply the Native Americans in North America with guns and, in response America finally declared war on Britain in 1812. The title "Era of Good Feelings" was used to describe the presidency of James Monroe in 1816 but the truth of this phrase is questioned. Many believe that the period after the war of 1812 was an "Era of Good Feelings" due to the nation's gain of nationalism and expansion of the country, but it was also due to the growing sense of sectionalism and state issues. Following the War of 1812, the American people achieved an after-effect of winning a war called nationalism. With this new American pride they felt somewhat inferior or less than other, older countries such as that of Great Britain. This is shown in Document H, when Adams says that Monroe was not willing to be subordinated by Great Britain. This is also supported by the Monroe Doctrine, written as a warning to the European countries to stay put where they were if they had territories in/on the American continents already but, restricted them from expanding their American “empires” without having to deal with an interception made by the U.S. Moreover, Document C gives an impression of the country celebrating the Fourth of July in a happy spirit. During the War of 1812, Americans defeated many Native Americans in the west opening up the land for the Americans to claim as part of the Westward Expansion as seen in Document E. This expansion was essential because southern farmers needed more land to grow cotton and expand their idea of “King Cotton” and it also helped the people with economic difficulties put on them by the Embargo Act that put a tax on goods from Great Britain before the war. Furthermore, when Henry Clay created the American System, revenues from the tariffs went towards building roads and canals that were needed by the country as stated by John Calhoun in Document B.
On the other hand, there were many problems that occurred after the War of 1812 that were caused by the South’s new idea of sectionalism. The beginnings of the slavery industries problems and the South’s lust for land and power were coming into play. The geographical line mentioned in Document F, is seen in a new, different light as a split in the country, then the original reason to set apart the slave and Free states or territories. The Electoral College was changed due to the sectionalist ideals, as shown in Document I, also the political parties changed, as did their presidential candidates. From the two parties and candidates in the election of 1820 to the now four parties and candidates in the election of 1824, we can see that the growing views of sectionalism in both the northern and southern states have greatly increased the amount of disagreement even to the splitting of parties. Document G also addresses the growing view/hatred of the federal government in the South through a letter written by Anna Hayes Johnson to her cousin. The letter addresses the happenings of the state and the removal of federal officials replaced by state-appointed ones. In the letter however she seems to see the South’s treatment of the officials as almost disgust in the beginning but it slowly evens out to an agreement with what they did. In Document A, John Randolph writes to Congress with a complaint for and on the behalf of the South. He opens up the views of South to Congress, giving them an insight as to why the South is beginning to harbor this new-found hatred of the federal government. All this and more was put forth as evidence to bouts of sectionalism starting to pop up around the country. So then as to why so many believe that the period after the war of 1812 was an "Era of Good Feelings" due to the nation's gain of nationalism and expansion of the country, and also due to the growing sense of sectionalism and state issues. This is what history has shown us, everyone interprets the same thing differently, thus the views are all screwed up as to what really happened. From the abundance of literature and essays written showing the good side of the “Era of Good Feelings” we can only deduce that is was in fact a time of momentary peace followed by the confusion and chaos of miscommunication. This is how history teaches us now to paint and write our own stories and mistakes.