Era of Good Feelings

Both nationalism and sectionalism increased during the Era of Good Feelings, however, nationalism became of greater importance in economics and politics.  This is shown in many documents from this time period. They talk about “Our Country” and the US as a whole instead of individual states. The documents also talk about “Us” not just states individually. Also about creating a “American System” and and American identity, which helps to prove nationalism was of a greater influence.

Monroe’s presidency is known as the Era of Good Feelings, this explains how Monroe won the presidency by a landslide. This happened because truly only the republican party was in office. Which shows nationalism, be proving that there was a united belief in the country.

Also economic nationalism was growing in the country and supporting the growth of the nations economy. This was happening through the buildings of road and canals and other internal improvements. Economic nationalism also grew through the Tariff of 1816. The tariff of 1816 was the first protective tariff and that helped to strengthened economic nationalism. This is shown in the documents when Henry Clay talks about a American System. He was talking about naturalizing the arts, in our country, and protecting them from foreign influence.

Documents from the time period show representatives voting for tariffs that would show a nationalistic spirit. by wanting to keep trade in the country. Document H proves this by showing 88 votes for the tariff and only 54 for it. Nationalism was very prevalent in the middle states where the votes were 44 to 10. THis shows how nationalism had a large influence on politics by creating tariffs for keeping trade in the country.

Although many would argue that sectionalism was more prevalent during the Era of Good feelings, its is clearly proven by many documents from the time, that nationalism played a much more influential role, in economics and politics.