Dominance of the Republicans

1
Dominance of the Republicans

• Nationalism Economic Developments
• 1812-1819

2
War of 1812 Overview

• U.S. waged war hoping that Napoleon would
  continue success in Europe
• Invasion of Canada
• Attacked from Detroit, Niagara, Lake Champlain
• Poorly equipped, easily defeated
• Some naval successes (USS Constitution)
• Fighting on Lake Champlain, Brits abandon plans
  to attack New York New England

3
War of 1812 Overview

• By spring of 1814, Napoleon defeated by British,
  who send more troops to North America
• Attack Washington, D.C.
• Burn the capitol, White House, try to take
  Baltimore, defended by Ft. McHenry
• After a night of bombardment of flaring rockets,
  bursting bombs, the fort holds
• Might make a good song someday
• Emergence of General Andrew Jackson, who led
  frontiersmen fighters in the South
• Hero of the Battle of New Orleans
• Too bad it came 2 weeks after a treaty was signed

4
Treaty of Ghent

• British tired after a decade of war with Napoleon
• Madison realizes there will be no decisive
  American victory
• Christmas Eve 1814, peace terms decided upon by
  both sides (Treaty of Ghent)
• Halt to the fighting
• Return of territory to prewar claimant
• Recognition of Canada/U.S. prewar boundary
• No decision on impressment, blockades
• Stalemate

5
The Hartford Convention

• New England states were very upset with Madisons
  decision to go to war
• Mr. Madisons war
• Many Federalists in New England
• Special convention held in Hartford, CT in
  December 1814 to discuss Radical Federalists
  proposal to amend the Constitution and possibly
  secede from the Union

6
The Hartford Convention

• Delegates from the New England states reject the
  secession talk at the convention
• Adopt proposals including calling for a 2/3
  majority of both houses for any declaration of
  war
• Right after convention, news of Jackson and the
  Treaty of Ghent become known
• Federalists now look unpatriotictheir party is
  left effectively without power, and they
  disappear from the political scene

7
The Era of Good Feelings

• James Monroe, prominent Virginia Republican,
  elected in 1816.
• Virginia DynastyWashington, Jefferson, Madison,
  Monroe
• Federalists decline as a formal opponent, leaving
  Republicans in charge
• On the surfaceeveryone agrees, nationalism from
  the War of 1812, optimism as a country
• GOOD FEELINGS!

8
Cultural Nationalism

• Many young Americans who had voted for Monroe
  felt that the U.S. had unlimited potential for
  prosperity
• War of 1812 marks final break with Europe for
  many
• Patriotic themes influenced every aspect of
  American society
• Painting Stuart, Peele, Trumball Heroes of the
  Revolution
• Literature Weems fictionalized bio of
  Washington (cherry tree, anyone?)
• Education Websters speller promoted patriotism

9
Economic Nationalism

• Political movement to support the growth of the
  national economy, protect U.S. industry from
  European competition
• Tariff of 1816
• First protective tariff in U.S. history
• Factories built during War of 1812 feared British
  competition
• Even South and West generally supportive
• New England opposed because it restricts
  commerce,
• Paves way for many more tariffs to come

10
Economic Nationalism

• Henry Clays American System
• A House leader from Kentucky
• Protective Tariffs
• Promote U.S. manufacturing, raise revenue
• National Bank
• Provide natl currency
• Internal Improvements
• Promote growth in the south and west
• Madison Monroe dont believe Constitution
  allows spending on roads canals, states are
  left to make own improvements

11
Panic of 1819

• First economic panic since the Constitution was
  ratified
• The Second Bank of the U.S. tightened credit to
  control inflation
• Many state banks closed, value of fell
• Large increases in unemployment, bankruptcies,
  and debt imprisonment.
• WEST hurt the mostthere was much post-war land
  speculation
• People in debt, land is foreclosed on

12
Changes in the Republican Party

• Only national party left by 1820
• Internal struggles over issues
• Old republicans-limited govt, strict
  construction
• Most Republicans adopted views once sponsored by
  Federalists
• Large army navy, national bank,
• Biggest arguments over tariffs states rights
• Even prominent Republicans flip-flop on these
  issues

13
The Lure of the West

• Factors that contribute to the rapid growth along
  western frontier during the presidencies of
  Madison Monroe
• Acquisition of Native American lands
• Indiana, purchase of Florida
• Economic Pressures
• Effects of embargo, exhausted soil on tobacco
  farms
• Improved Transportation
• Roads (turnpikes) canals, steamboats, railroads
• Immigrants
• Northern Europeans attracted by cheap land in the
  Ohio, Cumberland, and Mississippi River valleys