Nationalism vs Sectionalism

The Monroe Doctrine

European powers considered retaking control of the former colonies in the Americas

American lawmakers wanted to deter foreign countries from taking lands that U.S may someday claim

Example: Pacific Northwest

Monroe Doctrine, cont’d.

Stated U.S would view any attempts to further colonize the Americas as “dangerous to our peace and safety”.

December 2, 1823 Also said U.S would not “interfere in

the internal concerns” of Europe What does this mean?

Political Cartoon

A New American Culture

Americans were slowly developing their own unique culture

What can we define as part of culture?

Does the culture developed then still influence the way Americans live today?

Alexis de Tocqueville

French philosopher “America is a land

of wonders, in which everything is in constant motion and every change seems an improvement”

Americans no longer imitating European cultures like before

Art and Literature

Before 1800 American artists and writers were paid little respect

Why was this true?

1825 Thomas Cole helped establish Hudson River school

A group of artists whose landscapes both depicted and celebrated the American countryside

Hudson River school

More paintings

American authors

American authors gained respect in early 1800s

Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper and William Cullen Bryant

Proved Americans could create literature and that people on both sides of the Atlantic would respect American works

Noah Webster

Americans had unique version of the English language

1828 new American English was published by Noah Webster in Dictionary

It defined thousands of words that have never been included in dictionary before

Why is this important?

Nationalism

The belief that the interests of the nation as a whole are more important than regional interests or the interests of other countries

This spirit replaced the tendency toward Sectionalism- the belief that one’s own region of the country is more important than the whole

Nationalism vs Sectionalism

At what times in our history have we been more inclined to be more nationalistic or lean more towards sectionalism?

Which one is “better” for our country?

Pros/Cons for each?

John Marshall

Chief Justice of Supreme Court from 1801-1835

Firm believer in strong national gov. His court made two key rulings that

reflected growing feelings of nationalism and promoted it by strengthening the national government

1st ruling

McCulloch v. Maryland 1819 pitted the state

of Maryland against the national government

John Marshall sided with national gov.

National Interests to be put above states

Gibbons v. Ogden

1824- case involved cutting-edge transportation technology: steamboats

Rival steamboat companies operating in New York

Aaron Ogden got permission from N.Y to run his business. Thomas Gibbons had license from national gov. to run his

Who do you think Marshall ruled with?

The American System

UNIFY YOUNG NATION

Tariff to protect American industries

Sale of gov. lands to raise money for national gov.

Maintenance of national bank

Government funding of internal improvements or public projects like roads and canals

HENRY CLAY

American System

It was never implemented as a unified policy

However government did establish tariffs and a bank

Shows how nationalist feelings and desire to bring country together were on minds of Americans at this time

Foreign Policy

Americans were proud of their victory in War of 1812

Beginning of so called “Era of good feelings”

James Monroe- Elected president in 1816

Served 2 terms (1817-1825) Under Monroe, economy grew

rapidly and feeling of nationalism and optimism prevailed

Era of good feelings

JAMES MONROE RUSH-BAGOT TREATY

In 1818, signed with Britain

Provided for near complete disarmament of eastern part of border between U.S and British-Canada

Convinced Britain to draw western part of border between U.S and Canada along 49th parallel

49th Parallel/Lands exchanged

Adams- Onis Treaty

1819 Secretary of State John Quincy Adams reached agreement with Spain

U.S acquired Florida and established boundary between Louisiana territory and Spanish territory to the west

Adams even convinced Spain and Russia to give up their claims to disputed Oregon Country and allow settlers to travel to Oregon

Missouri Compromise

Nationalism also inspired by rapid growth of American settlement

By 1818 settlers spread beyond Mississippi River into Missouri, most from South

1 in 6 settlers were enslaved African-Americans

Missouri Territory

When they applied to join the Union, it caused an uproar

1819 there were 22 states in Union Slavery was legal in half, illegal in

other half Equal balance gave equal

representation in U.S Senate What would happen if a slave state

was admitted?

Missouri Compromise

1820 Missouri was admitted as a slave state

Maine was admitted as a free state Thus the balance was preserved Agreement also banned slavery in

northern part of Louisiana Territory. Kept the balance of slave and free

states However feelings of sectionalism in

North and South were beginning to emerge

Missouri Compromise Map