Era of Good Feelings
The War of 1812, often regarded by historians as the second American Revolution brought about significant changes. With the end of the war, the United States became less involved in European affairs and devoted more energy into its internal development. This period of internal development led to the emergence of nationalism and sectionalism.
Contrary to what many historians refer to it as, the period from 1815 – 1825 was not an “Era of Good Feelings,” rather it was plagued by underlying issues that would jeopardize the future of the United States. Though the time from 1815 to 1825 looks like a period of substantial growth at face value, the period is marked by conflicting interests between the North and the South, political disunity and conflicting nationalist ideas.
Though the United States experienced a relative period of peace from foreign conflicts, it was threatened by a force even more dangerous – sectionalism. Sectionalism was characterized by the geographic diversity of the United States. The different geographic characteristics of each region led each region to have conflicting interests. For example, the North, having more of an industrial economy than the South, supported the placement of tariffs on imported goods because it made foreign products more expensive and thus, less appealing. By doing so, the companies in New England could eliminate foreign competition and acquire larger profits. On the other hand, the South opposed tariffs which were seen as indirect taxes. Before the emergence of manufacturing centers in the North, the South relied on cheap manufactured goods from Britain. These goods were made more expensive by tariffs and so, spending increased and profits decreased. This, in turn, caused the South to believe that the government was “aggravating the burdens of the people for the purpose of favoring the manufacturers.” (Document A) The disparity in population density further reflects on the disunity of the nation. While the North
Contrary to what many historians refer to it as, the period from 1815 – 1825 was not an “Era of Good Feelings,” rather it was plagued by underlying issues that would jeopardize the future of the United States. Though the time from 1815 to 1825 looks like a period of substantial growth at face value, the period is marked by conflicting interests between the North and the South, political disunity and conflicting nationalist ideas.
Though the United States experienced a relative period of peace from foreign conflicts, it was threatened by a force even more dangerous – sectionalism. Sectionalism was characterized by the geographic diversity of the United States. The different geographic characteristics of each region led each region to have conflicting interests. For example, the North, having more of an industrial economy than the South, supported the placement of tariffs on imported goods because it made foreign products more expensive and thus, less appealing. By doing so, the companies in New England could eliminate foreign competition and acquire larger profits. On the other hand, the South opposed tariffs which were seen as indirect taxes. Before the emergence of manufacturing centers in the North, the South relied on cheap manufactured goods from Britain. These goods were made more expensive by tariffs and so, spending increased and profits decreased. This, in turn, caused the South to believe that the government was “aggravating the burdens of the people for the purpose of favoring the manufacturers.” (Document A) The disparity in population density further reflects on the disunity of the nation. While the North