The "Era of Good Feelings" is a term used to describe the period of James Monroe's presidency, which lasted from 1817 to 1825. This era is characterized by a sense of national unity and political cooperation following the War of 1812. Several major events and policies occurred during this time:
1. The Missouri Compromise (1820): This was a significant legislative decision aimed at maintaining the balance of power between slave and free states. It allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while also establishing the 36°30' parallel as the line dividing future free and slave territories.
2. The Monroe Doctrine (1823): This was a pivotal foreign policy statement declaring that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization and that the United States would not interfere in European affairs. It asserted U.S. influence in the Americas and became a cornerstone of American foreign policy.
3. Economic Nationalism: Monroe's administration saw the implementation of policies that promoted economic growth and infrastructure development. This included the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States and the enactment of the Tariff of 1816, which protected American industries from foreign competition.
4. Panic of 1819: This was the first major financial crisis in the United States, leading to widespread economic hardship. It was caused by a combination of factors, including the collapse of cotton prices, land speculation, and the tightening of credit by the Second Bank of the United States.
5. Internal Improvements: Monroe supported the development of infrastructure projects, such as roads and canals, to facilitate commerce and communication across the growing nation. This period saw the construction of the Cumberland Road and the Erie Canal.
Overall, the "Era of Good Feelings" was marked by a temporary decline in partisan political strife and a focus on national unity and development, although underlying sectional tensions, particularly over slavery, continued to simmer.
The "Era of Good Feelings" was a period of national unity and political cooperation during James Monroe's presidency, marked by significant events such as the Missouri Compromise and the Monroe Doctrine. (KC-4.1.II)
The "Era of Good Feelings" saw efforts to promote national unity and economic growth, but also highlighted underlying sectional tensions, particularly regarding slavery and economic policy.