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Era of Good Feelings DBQ Essay

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Era of Good Feelings DBQ Essay
Throughout the course of history many campaigns and elections have changed and been influenced by the time period surrounding them. The participation in political campaigns and elections in the United States between 1815-1840 greatly changed due to the significant effects of the War of 1812. As a new era formed as a result of the war, change in our nations politics did too. This new era known as “the era of good feelings” paved the way for change within our nations elections and campaigns. Just as it had united the voters of America in the beginning, its decline resulted in a growing show of sectionalism in the voters throughout the country.

The years following the War of 1812, marked the beginning of a influential era in history. The “Era of Good Feelings” directly resulted in the cease of the Federalist party, therefore leaving only one major party present throughout the nation. Since only one party stood, not much tension existed throughout Americas voters. Unity among voters however, did not last very long, just as the era had rapidly begun it came to and end as well. The election of 1824 marked a very significant election in history. Four candidates had arose from the one-party system still well intact. These four candidates were John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William Crawford. Since none won electoral majority the decision went to the house of representatives, where Clay used his influence to get Adams elected shortly after becoming president Clay is appointed as Secretary of State. This is well known as the “corrupt bargain”. Two elections later the successor of Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren states as written in document C “we can only restore a better state of things, by combining General Jackson’s personal popularity with the portion of old party feeling yet remaining”. Here he explains how he a future president, would like to follow the example of a very common man who was widely known as a war hero. This presents us with one of

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