Era of Good Feelings

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The title “Era of Good Feelings” is given to the time period of 1815 to 1825, which is recognized for the young nation’s flourishing development. For the most part this label is inaccurate, since sectionalism was profoundly more predominant than nationalism in the country, after the War of 1812. Even though, the nation showed moments of unity portraying success, the tensions pulling the nation apart are more evident. Situations involving internal issues were covered up through solving foreign problems. Thus, the underlying disputes in America were neglected and the nation chose to concentrate more on the country’s international diplomacy. The “Era of Good Feelings” was a suitable description for U.S.’ approach to global matters, but when the conditions at home are studied inclusively, the “good feelings” happen to be an illusion. Sectionalism was especially highlighted through unstable economic conditions in the nation. The “Era of Good Feelings” occurred during Democratic Republican domination of the presidency, yet the agricultural industry was not given exceptional importance. John Randolph in Document A, references how farming is not kept in mind when making federal economic decisions, but the manufacturing industry is entirely accounted for. “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.” Only enabling the manufacturing economy to thrive, while suppressing the agricultural economy, is an insecure basis for a country to subsist upon. However, this situation displays the lack of equilibrium in society, exposing a major tension between the north, south and west. Each region was only concerned with its individual prosp... ... middle of paper ... ...me decline our overture from Great Britain.” (Document H) “The Era of Good Feelings” was not a proper description for the years between 1815 and 1825. Sectionalism was frequently present throughout the country, while times of nationalism were scarce and occurred generally during the Monroe administration. The Monroe Doctrine and the Election of 1820 expedited nationalism, yet by the Election of 1824 this nationalism suffered a great decline. Even during the years of “nationalism” under Monroe, eruptions of sectionalism were also evident with the Missouri Compromise and McCulloch v. Maryland. The feelings of separation among the nation were inevitable with the issue of slavery and constantly evolving political views. Therefore the erroneous label given to this era is generally farcical, since actions of sectionalism mostly overpowered the feeling of nationalism.

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