The era of good feeling in the political history of America was characterized by a sense of national peace and coexistence throughout the nation. This era followed the conclusion of the Napoleonic war. This paper will discuss whether the era truly lived up to its name as a period of good feeling in the political history of the United States. A significant event during this era was the collapse of the Federal party and the resolution of conflicts with the Republican Party, leading to a peaceful coexistence.
During the era, the Democratic Party gained dominance in politics and brought about a period of peaceful political control. President James Monroe aimed to unify the nation by making affiliations and nominations (Kehl, 1954). This time is often known as the "era of good feelings" due to the sole presence of one political party, namely the Republican Party. In 1820, Monroe became the f
...inal president to be elected without any opposition, receiving all votes except one that went to his opponent. Additionally, Monroe's government implemented sound economic policies that positively influenced the country's progress (Bell, 2011). Spanning from 1817 to 1825 and believed to have commenced in 1815, this era is primarily associated with Monroe's presidency. The Monroe administration actively opposed the monarchy previously established by the federal government.
During Monroe's presidency, the government promoted unity and consensus by allowing individuals from the former federal party to join the Republican Party, despite their previous political differences. As a result, the political admiration in the United States improved. Additionally, the government's performance in serving its citizens was on the rise (Kehl, 1954). Monroe encouraged a more formal approach to various aspects
such as dressing, and set an example through his political rallies, thereby creating goodwill. Furthermore, the justice system of the country showed positive changes compared to the earlier federal Government.
The transportation and communication system was enhanced, poverty decreased, and the population in the country grew during this period. Despite being referred to as a time of positivity, there were drawbacks. The Monroe government was not highly developed, leading to inefficiencies in operations. Imposing government policies required tedious procedures, and corruption was believed to be more prevalent due to a lack of accountability among stakeholders (Bell, 2011).
Despite political divisions and disagreements within the Monroe Government and Republican Party, the period known as the "era of good feeling" was paradoxical. The existing political system often resisted Monroe's ideas and proposals, leading to factions within the party. However, despite these shortcomings, the post-war period of 1812 was still considered a time of significant development and peaceful coexistence.
Reference
- Bell, W. (2011). Foundations of Futures Studies: Human Science for a New Era: Values, Objectivity, and the Good Society. Transaction Publishers.
- Kehl, J. A.
(1954). Ill feeling in the era of good feeling: western Pennsylvania political battles, 1815-1825.
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