Transcript Early National Period

President James Madison
• James Madison was elected the fourth
president of the United States in 1808.
• Wars between Britain and France caused
challenges to American power.
– Both sides interfered with American
shipping.
– British impressed Americans at sea, forcing
them to join the British navy.
• Jefferson maintained American neutralityEmbargo of 1807.
• Madison believed that Britain was trying to
limit American trade and ruin the American
economy.
War of 1812
• On June 19, 1812 the United States declared war on Britain.
• American military was unprepared:
– Americans attacked Canada, but failed.
– Canadian and British forces captured Detroit and some western
forts.
• The British invaded into the Chesapeake region, burning towns
along the Atlantic coast, as well as the Capitol, the White
House, and other federal buildings.
War of 1812 (cont.)
• The British also attack New Orleans, but are defeated by Andrew
Jackson’s American forces.
– Took place two weeks after the official peace treaty to end war.
– Battle was significant because it established the reputation of Andrew
Jackson and started his path to the White House.
• As the war progressed, New Englanders (primarily Federalists) began to
oppose the war-hurt trade with England.
– Convened Hartford Convention:
• Debated secession through Compact Theory.
• Drafted Constitutional Amendments to increase political power for
New England-more votes in Congress.
• Never presented as war ended.
• Federalist Party labeled traitors because of this action.
War of 1812 (cont.)
• War officially ended in
February of 1815-Treaty of
Ghent:
– Stopped all fighting.
– Said nothing about
impressment and neutral
shipping rights.
– Return all lands taken
during the war.
• Americans stood up the
Britain for the second time
and survived-Americans feel
a stronger sense of
nationalism.
President James Monroe
• Elected the fifth president of
the United States in 1816
(third straight president from
Virginia).
• ‘Era of Good Feelings’
reunited and healed nation
after the War of 1812.
• Federalist Party lost election
and was no longer a party.
• Democratic-Republicans
won Congress and the
Presidency-pass legislation to
unite nation and strengthen
the economy.
The American System
• Two different economic systems in the Untied States:
– Agricultural South/Industrial North
• Henry Clay of Kentucky designed three part legislation to help unite the
nation economically known as the American System:
– Recharter the National Bank
– Establish a protective tariff
– Invest in internal improvements
• The goal of the American System was to unite the country economically:
– North makes goods for Southern/Western farmers.
– Southern/Western farmers produce grain, meat, and cotton needed in the
North.
– New transportation system would increase the trade of goods.
– Achieve economic independence from Europe.
The Second National Bank
• The First National Bank was
allowed to weaken under
Jefferson and expired in
1811.
• Following the War of 1812,
there was a need to provide
credit to businesses and
create a uniform currency
that was guaranteed
nationwide-easier to conduct
business.
• Congress chartered Second
National Bank for a 20-year
period in 1816.
Tariff of 1816
• Government wanted people to purchase goods made in
America.
• Stockpiles of British goods (iron/textiles) from before the war
were significantly cheaper.
• A protective tariff would:
– Protect new industries from foreign competition.
– Make Americans buy from Americans because it was cheaper.
– Provided money for other government projects.
• New Englanders approved of the tariff-could sell more goods.
• Those in the South and West felt that it was not the role of the
government to intervene-makes goods more expensive.
Internal Improvements
• In order for people in different
regions of the growing country to
conduct business, improvements
in transportation were needed.
• Development of railroads, canals,
better roads helped the flow of
people and commerce-goods to
the east and people to the west.
• Individuals can get to places faster
and cheaper.
• Erie Canal linked the Atlantic
Ocean with the Great Lakes by
water.
• Money from Tariff of 1816 would
help pay for improvements.
Monroe Doctrine
• Following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, Spain and Portugal
sought to re-establish their colonies in Latin America.
• In response, President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine,
which proclaimed:
– The American continents should not be considered for future
colonization by any European powers.
– Nations in the Western Hemisphere were inherently different
from those of Europe, republics by nature rather than
monarchies.
– The United States would regard it “dangerous to our peace and
safety” any attempt by European powers to impose their system
on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere.
– The United States would not interfere in European affairs.