Question- The “Era of Good Feelings” was a time of increased patriotism and prosperity for America, but were there hidden debates on serious issues going on within the country during this very time period?
The “Era of Good Feelings” was a time period that lasted from about 1815-1824, and in this era there was increased nationalism and prosperity for the country. Still though, there were very crucial issues being argued over in that very time period. During President James Monroe’s two terms as president, the country’s patriotism was at a very high level and on the outside it seemed as though all were going extremely well. However there were problems within the country which were soon to be lifted to the surface. Some of these disagreements were on the infrastructure, sectionalism, and foreign policy. During the “Era of Good Feelings” there were many bills sent to congress that were rejected. Many of these bills dealt with infrastructure, such as the improvement of roads, buildings, sewage and other canals. These bills were denied primarily because of people that favored state’s rights and thought that the government had no business in trying to improve roads and such things. They thought that this was clearly a state issue and that the each individual state is in charge of its maintenance. An example of a bill pertaining to infrastructure being vetoed is given, “Having considered the bill this day presented to me… which sets apart and pledges funds for constructing roads and canals, … I am constrained by the insuperable difficulty I feel in reconciling the bill with the Constitution of the United States to return it with that objection to the House of Representatives, in which it originated.”(Doc C.) So although it was clear that the infrastructure needed improvements, and those improvements were too much for the states to handle, the bills were still vetoed. President Monroe thought that the congress did not possess the power to