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Monroe

The Presidency of James Monroe

The conclusion of the War of 1812 brought about a feeling
altogether different than what had previously existed in America. For
the first time America had fought a war as a nation, united. The
feeling that resulted from this unification of spirit marked a rise
of nationalism and a shift in both foreign and domestic policy.

I. The Presidency of James Monroe

A. American respond to the end of the War of 1812?

1. A strong sense of nationalism swept the country in
the years following the War of 1812.

2. This period of increased nationalism and prosperity was called
the “Era of Good Feelings.”

B. Monroe Develops the American System

1. Organization of the American System

  • This divided the United States into 3 sections.

    a) An industrial North would turn out manufactured goods

    b) Farmers in the South would provided agricultural products.

    c) Farmers in the West would provided agricultural products.

  • The purpose of this was to develop self sufficiency. Factory
    workers in the North would form a market for agricultural
    products. Farmers in the South and West would buy manufactured
    goods.

2. Congress passed protective tariffs. (A tax on imports designed
to protect domestic manufacturers.)

  • Tariff Act of 1816–Congress adopted a mild protective tariff.
    Then in 1828, it significantly raised the tariffs.

3. Transportation Improvements were made.

  • National Road–Federal government authorized construction of a
    road from Maryland to Illinois, and also of canals so goods could
    move to market more easily.

4. Congress chartered the Second Bank of the United States to
replace the first whose charter had expired.

C. The Monroe Doctrine – Foreign Policy

1. Warned all European powers not to interfere with
affairs in the Western Hemisphere.

2. The United States would consider such action “dangerous to our
peace and safety.”

3. This was largely ignored but unchallenged by the Euripeans so
the Doctrine stood untested.

D. The Missouri Compromise

1. America needed to know whether or not there would
be slaves in the new states.

2. After much debate they compromised:

  • Missouri admitted as a slave state
  • Maine admitted as a free state.
  • All states admitted thereafter north of 36′ 30′ would after be
    free and those south of the line would be slaves states.

E. Federalist Court Decisions

1. Gibbons v Ogden

2. McCulloch v Maryland