Chapter 6

A Changing Nation1815-1840

During the early 1800s, the federal government increases its authority. At the same time, the

Monroe Doctrine expands U.S. influence in Latin America. More people earn the right to vote during

Andrew Jackson’s presidency, yet Jackson forces Native Americans in the South to move west.

Chapter 6, Section 1

Building a National Identityp. 214-218

Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court all acted to increase

federal power.

The Era of Good Feelings• James Monroe (Democratic-

Republican) elected President in 1816– End of the Federalist Party

• Tours the nation to promote national unity- Cheered even in New England

• Newspapers describe the sense of national unity as the “Era of Good Feelings.” Why?- Runs unopposed in 1820.James Monroe

5th U.S. President

was with Washington at Battles of Trenton and Princeton in 1776, and helped with Louisiana Purchase & Treaty of Ghent

America in 1816

• Monroe becomes president in 1817• America is beginning to be defined by 3

“sections”– North – South– West

Building the National Economy• Sectionalism of national

economy and interests:• Daniel Webster of

Massachusetts (North)– Goals: Protect Industry &

promote manufacturing• Henry Clay of Kentucky

(West)– Goals: Promote Western

Expansion – Improve transports (build

roads & canals)• John Calhoun - South Carolina

(South)– Goals: Defend “states’ rights”

& promote agriculture

Daniel Webster (North)

Henry Clay(West)

John C. Calhoun (South)

“STATES’ RIGHTS!”

Which of the three leaders would you expect Which of the three leaders would you expect to be the strongest supporter of slavery? to be the strongest supporter of slavery? Explain.Explain.

Question for Discussion:Question for Discussion:

Building the National Economy (continued)• 2nd Bank of the United States -

– Charter for the 1st bank expires in 1811– legal document giving rights to a person or company• Without the bank, U.S. economy suffers

– Republican party switches from opposing the bank to supporting it – give bank another 20 years.

• Privately owned, bank controls money supply & gives the economy a boost

• The Tariff of 1816 -– To protect U.S. manufacturing from British competition

• British were dumping (selling goods below market price)• The tariff (tax) increases the cost of imports by 20%

• Clay’s American System –– Clay wants to spend tariff money on infrastructure

(roads, bridges and canals). Why?– His system never fully develops– Both Madison and Monroe are against it And now for something completely And now for something completely

different…different…

Calhoun: “The tariff favors the North.”

Clay: “The tariff is good for America.”

3 Important Supreme Court Rulings• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819):

establishes national supremacy when the Court rules that a state can’t tax the national government

• Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819): establishes protection for private contracts (a lawful agreement). This helps promote capitalism (private businesses competing in a free market).

• Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) establishes Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce (trade between 2 or more states)

Supreme Court Chief JusticeJohn Marshall presided over

1,127 decisions (1801-1835)

Gibbons v. Ogden = National Gov. controls interstate commerce.