The Era Of Good Feelings Essay Example

and west, strengthening its position in the global arena. Additionally, the rechartering of the Bank of the United States and the initiation of measures to address slavery were undertaken. In 1818, the United States and England agreed upon a novel concept - a border that was lightly fortified.

The 1818 Rush-Bagot Treaty, brokered by Charles Bagot from America and British representative Richard Rush for "His Majesty's Government of Britain," stipulated that only a certain amount of military ships from both countries could be positioned on the Great Lakes ("Rush-Bagot Agreement April 28,1818"). This treaty carried significance as it represented a unique instance of two nations maintaining an undefended border. This introduced a fresh approach to US-UK relations while setting an example for peaceful dispute resolutions. The Treaty outlined specific restrictions on the naval presence each country could maintain on American lakes: On Lake Ontario, one ship not exceeding one hundred tons burden armed with an eighteen pound cannon was permitted; similarly, on the upper lakes and Lake Champlain waters, two vessels and one vessel respectively were allowed, provided they didn't exceed the same weight constraint and were equipped with similar weaponry. All other militarised vessels in these lakes had to be promptly disarmed and no new warships were allowed to be constructed or equipped there.

The agreement can be terminated by either party in the future, provided that they inform the other party. The agreement will cease to be effective six months after such notification. In accordance with the "Rush-Bagot Agreement", the naval force being restricted should only undertake operations that do not conflict with the responsibilities of the opposing party's armed vessels. Furthermore, in the aftermath

of the First Seminole War, it was recognized by authorities that Florida needed to be incorporated into United States territory.

After extensive effort, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, together with Lord Don Luis de Ons, the Spanish representative, prepared the Adams-Ons or Florida Treaty of 1819. This treaty outlined the transfer of Spanish territories in North America and set a new boundary between Mexico and America. The first article of the treaty stated that a strong and enduring peace and genuine friendship shall exist between the United States and their citizens, and His Catholic Majesty, his successors, and subjects, without any exceptions in terms of individuals or locations.

The treaty states that His Catholic Majesty cedes to the United States all the territories known as East and West Florida, including the adjacent Islands. This includes public lots and squares, vacant lands, public edifices, fortifications, barracks, and other buildings that are not private property. Additionally, archives and documents relating to the property and sovereignty of these provinces are also included in this Article.

The mentioned Archives and Documents shall be entrusted to the designated Commissaries or Officers of the United States who possess the necessary authorization to receive them. Alongside these endeavors to peacefully resolve global matters, there were attempts to address various domestic reforms. These reforms took place at both the national and local levels and encompassed a wide range of actions, including legislation for public works, the re-chartering of the National Bank, and the implementation of the Missouri Compromise. Nationwide, numerous public works projects were administered.

Commissions were established for various purposes, including the construction of new roads, the maintenance of older ones, the establishment of

safer waterways, and the construction of new waterways. One specific waterway, namely the Erie Canal, was described by Dr. Alan Axelrod as a remarkable engineering accomplishment (Axelrod 95). The canal project commenced in 1817, led by Governor Morris of New York, and its impact on America far exceeded initial expectations (Axelrod 96). By connecting the East to the Great Lakes, the canal provided an efficient and cost-effective means of transporting goods westward.

According to historian Hugh Brogan, the "War Baby Industries" emerged during the Jeffersonian Embargo and the War of 1812 as a result of the demand for domestically produced goods. This boosted industrial growth in the North and widened the divide between the agrarian South (The Penguin History of the United States of America 277-278). Additionally, the re-chartering of the National Bank was another reform measure implemented domestically.

During Washington's second term in 1791, the establishment of the Bank sparked intense debate. The bank, suggested by Alexander Hamilton, was deemed essential for regulating the banking system. However, it faced criticism for favoring the wealthy and disregarding the poor. Furthermore, concerns arose that the bank could potentially challenge the existing government's authority and influence.

Thomas Jefferson perceived the Bank of the United States as a significant menace to constitutional principles and its framework. He felt an institution with nationwide branches possessing joint authority could potentially destabilize the government during pivotal moments. Jefferson harbored distrust towards any government under unofficial or non-national authorities' control, including appointed officials. His fears extended to wartime situations where the Bank of the United States and all its affiliates might jeopardize national interests by influencing peace terms or withdrawing financial backing. Consequently, when it

was time for renewing the bank's initial charter in 1811, Congress decided against it due to these apprehensions. Nonetheless, post War of 1812, there rose an undeniable need for a powerful centralized bank to manage war-induced debts. Hence, in 1816, this led to reviving this banking establishment as the Second Bank of the United States.

Despite eventually rescuing America from its economic despair, the bank caused significant harm to debtors. According to one economist, the bank's salvation came at the expense of the people's ruin (Axelrod 97). These events are documented in The Penguin History of the United States of America in works such as "Letter to Albert Gallatin, 1803" and "Rush Bagot Agreement" (What Every American Should Know About American History). The progress achieved during this period was accompanied by intense and contentious debates, foreshadowing the trajectory of American politics in the future.

The debate over the Missouri Compromise hinted at upcoming disputes. The contention revolved around incorporating an anti-slavery provision into the constitution of the Missouri territory ("Missouri Compromise"). This controversy had repercussions on individuals from all walks of life, ranging from political leaders to basic laborers and agriculturists. By 1818, Missouri's populace had expanded sufficiently to seek statehood. This sparked a fiery argument regarding if Missouri should be accepted as a free state or a slave state ("Missouri Compromise").

As the population of settlers from the South grew in Missouri, it became apparent that if Missouri were to be admitted into the Union as a state, it would likely be a slave state. However, this posed potential disruption to the current political equilibrium. The admission of Alabama into the Union in 1817 ("Alabama") had

led to a fragile balance of power with equal representation from both free and slave states in the Senate. This balance was at risk if Missouri became another slave state therefore tilting power towards these states. As such, a group of senators gathered to address this issue.

Originally drafted, the Missouri Compromise permitted Missouri to join as a slave state, provided it did not hinder black or white migration into its territory. It was also agreed upon that Maine would be admitted into the Union as a non-slaveholding state. Furthermore, this compromise barred slavery in areas north of latitude 36°30' ("Missouri Compromise 1820"). Although intended to resolve the issue of slavery, it instead exacerbated disagreements among National Republicans and intensified sectionalism. This discord within the Republican party foreshadowed a shift in U.S politics where two distinct groups emerged: those backing the southern agrarian economy based on slavery and those advocating for industrial development of the nation while opposing or seeking to restrict slavery (The American Pageant 247). Also reflecting early national history, these factions were divided over states' rights.

Those who supported the South believed in state's rights, while the pro-Northern groups acknowledged the importance of a strong central government. Andrew Jackson, a bold and determined individual, emerged during this period. He hailed from the western region and was born on March 15, 1767, in the Wexhaw Creek area of South Carolina, which bordered North Carolina ("Andrew Jackson") (Axelrod 98).

As a frontier child, Jackson experienced difficulties and struggles from an early age. He encountered the Revolutionary War at just nine years old and became a wounded veteran by the time he was fourteen. The war resulted

in the heartrending loss of his mother and two siblings, as well as nearly causing him to starve. He was imprisoned by a British officer during his youth who brutally cut his face with a sword when Jackson refused to clean his boots. This incident not only left physical marks on Jackson but also inflicted lasting emotional wounds.

His deep resentment for the British would ultimately thrust him into the spotlight nationally ("Jackson, Andrew"). ("Andrew Jackson" "Jackson, Andrew") Following the Revolution, Jackson self-taught law and apprenticed under various North Carolina attorneys. Soon after, he wed Rachel Donelson, the daughter of a Nashville founding member, and relocated to Tennessee ("Jackson, Andrew"). With his newly established political affiliations, he secured the position as the inaugural congressman from Tennessee and was sent to serve in the House of Representatives.

Andrew Jackson served as a Tennessean Senator and also had a single term ("Andrew Jackson"). The War of 1812 played a pivotal role in his rise to national prominence, as he achieved various victories in the south. His first triumph was the successful campaign against the Creek Indians in 1813. Following that, he secured a complete victory over a seasoned British force at the Battle of New Orleans. Interestingly, this battle occurred after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which put an end to the war between the two countries ("The Treaty of Ghent").

Following the War of 1812, Jackson led an American campaign to eliminate the Creek Indians from the southern region. During his pursuit of the Creeks, Jackson ventured into Spanish occupied Florida, which almost caused a diplomatic conflict. ("Andrew Jackson" "Jackson, Andrew" "The Treaty of Ghent" The Treaty

of Ghent 1814") As historian Thomas Bailey noted, the combination of economic hardship and the slavery controversy heightened the political significance in the 1820s, marking a significant turning point in American politics. (The American Pageant 260).

In 1824, Jackson competed against other members of the National Republican Party for presidency. The candidates included Henry Clay, William Crawford, and John Quincy Adams. The party had become fragmented, leading to different factions vying for power. Clay, representing the south, supported slavery and state's rights. Crawford, also from the south, was the official National Republican candidate and served as Secretary of the Treasury ("William H. Crawford").

Initially, John C. Calhoun sought the presidential bid representing South Carolina but quickly shifted his focus to becoming the vice-presidential nominee for both Adams and Jackson. Despite receiving the most popular and electoral votes, Jackson couldn't secure a clear majority in the electoral vote tally. The count stood at 99 for Jackson, 84 for Adams, 41 for Crawford, and Clay with 37 ("The Campaign and Election of 1824"). With no decisive winner based on these figures, it was up to the House of Representatives to determine the outcome. After intense political wrangling, Adams triumphed likely due to Crawford stepping down from contention and receiving Clay's endorsement.

Clay, disqualified from the race due to inadequate votes, pledged his allegiance to Adams with the condition of being appointed as Secretary of State. It was well-known that former Secretaries of State who later pursued a presidential bid were never defeated. Historical scholar Larry Gonick proposes that Clay was merely biding his time for another shot at presidency (The Cartoon History of the United States 131). This contentious deal,

dubbed a "Corrupt Bargain" by Georgia Representative George Kremer, incensed Jackson who promised to make a comeback in the 1828 elections. After receiving a nomination from the Tennessee legislature for the Presidency in 1828, Jackson stepped down from Senate. In consequence, The National Republicans divided into two factions; those loyal to Clay and Adams established themselves as National Republicans whereas Jackson's followers created what is now known as the Democratic party ("Tennessee's Andrew Jackson and the Expansion of Democracy").

With the help of influential politicians, such as future president James Buchanan, the Democrats initiated a campaign that anticipated future presidential bids (James Jones). ("Corrupt Bargain" "Tennessee's Andrew Jackson and the Expansion of Democracy") This campaign commenced shortly after the completion of the 1824 elections and paved the way for a novel form of political campaign and presidential election, where emphasis was often placed on the candidate's image rather than their stance on issues.

The deciding elements in voting were emotions, rather than ideologies. Democrats nationwide called for a pivot in policy, perceiving Jackson as the catalyst of this transformation. He was celebrated as the "Hero of 1812," "The Indian Hunter," "Old Hickory," and most importantly, a man of the people (James Jones). In stark contrast to his predecessors from affluent families in Virginia or Massachusetts, Jackson was a self-taught war veteran originating from the western territories (Dictionary of Politics 625).

For the first time, an ordinary citizen had a leader who genuinely cared for their interests. In the four-year span from 1824 to 1828, voting rights were expanded to include nearly all white male individuals, irrespective of whether they owned property or not. This newly acquired right to

vote provided common people with both motivation and means to engage in political activities. The book "Tennessee's Andrew Jackson and the Expansion of Democracy" illustrates how numerous average men could resonate with Jackson. Moreover, neither faction involved during this era adhered strictly to concepts of honor or dignity in their tactics.

All possible methods of discrediting the opposition were employed, including the implementation of a tariff. This tariff aimed to raise the current rates of duty from twenty-three percent to thirty percent on dutiable items (The American Pageant 264). The primary goal of the Tariff of 1828 was to tarnish Adams' reputation rather than safeguarding the national economy. The South was infuriated by this tariff and shifted its allegiance towards Jackson.