Era of Good Feelings Notes

• Who was President during the Era of Good Feelings?

  James Monroe
• Why is he called the last of the "Knee Britches" Presidents?

  He was the last "un-political" President
• Where did the term "Era of Good Feelings" originate?

  A goodwill tour of New England in 1807
• Why was it called this?

  Monroe ran unopposed in 1820; a good cabinet
• What were some of Monroe's accomplishments?

  Governor of Virginia, member of the Articles of Confederation, Foreign Minister, Secretary of State and War, served with Washington, popular President
• What is a tariff? What is the purpose of one?

  A tariff is to raise the price of foreign goods so Americans buy American products (domestic sales)
• What did Monroe oppose?

  Federal aid to internal improvements on Constitutional grounds
• Why did the Panic of 1819 occur?

  Falling cotton prices
• What did this lead to?

  Economic instability in the South; affected manufacturing in the North
• How did the slavery issue caused problems at this time?

  Northerners wanted new states to be free states; South wanted new states to be slave states
• What was the Missouri Compromise line? What did it mean?

  All new states below the line would be open to slavery
• What did the Rush-Bagot Agreement state?

  That there would be no warships on the Great Lakes
• What was decided at the Convention of 1818?

  49th Parallel between Louisiana Purchase and Canada; joint occupation of Oregon; US could fish in Grand Banks
• Why was Florida an issue for the US?

  Spain wouldn't police it. It was full of pirates and hostile Native Americans. Lots of disease-spreading mosquitos
• What did the Monroe Doctrine state?

  1823; Western Hemisphere is closed to further European colonization. No interference with existing colonies. Stay out of European affairs. Attempts to colonize would be seen as unfavorable.
• What is the major importance of the Monroe Doctrine?

  Sets a precedent of isolation with Europe and sets one of Hemispheric Hegemony