CHAPTER 9
Nationalism and Sectionalism, 1815–1828
TRUE/FALSE
1. The United States experienced a period of economic prosperity in the years after the War of 1812.
2. In the wake of the War of 1812, the passions that emerged regarding the issue of the
expansion of slavery were the hardest to resolve.
3. The Second Bank of the United States was controversial because it would cater to the needs
of the southern planter elite.
4. The Tariff of 1816 was part of legislation designed to oppose the economic plan known as
the American System.
5. The “Era of Good Feelings” was marked by peace and prosperity.
6. James Monroe was one of the “Virginia dynasty” presidents.
7. Langdon Cheves led the opposition in Congress to the creation of the Second Bank of the
United States.
8. The Bank of the United States quickly ended the Panic of 1819 by making credit more easily
available.
9. Missouri was in territory that historically had not allowed slavery under the French and
Spanish.
10. The Missouri Compromise was almost undone when Missouri put into its constitution a
provision excluding free blacks and mulattoes.
11. One way Andrew Jackson’s presidency was revolutionary is that he only engaged in
diplomacy with Native Americans rather than assaulting their villages.
12. The Monroe Doctrine was part of President Monroe’s annual message to Congress and,
to this day, has no official standing in international law.
13. Four presidential candidates received electoral votes in 1824.
14. John Quincy Adams’s intelligence, experience, and worth ethic translated into a productive
and successful first term in office.
15. The Tariff of 1828 dramatically lowered taxes on imported raw materials in an attempt to
calm tensions after the Missouri Compromise.
16. The democratization of politics resulted in free black men in some northern states being
eligible to vote.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following statements identifies the primary tension shown by Americans following
the War of 1812, along with its significance?
a.
American economic growth greatly slowed due to the cost of the war, which made ordinary
Americans much less willing to take risks, uproot families, and use unstable paper money.
b.
Americans remained united around issues such as slavery but grew divided over whether the nation
should expand any further, which for a time put a halt to most western expansion.
c.
Americans experienced a widespread sense of pessimism due to their poor performance in the war,
which caused leading southern Republicans to return to Thomas Jefferson’s presidential initiatives.
d.
Americans were confronted with the issue of how to balance nationalism and sectionalism, which
required regions to make decisions that clearly favored some regions over others.
e.
President Madison abandoned the Federalist idea of economic nationalism, which led Americans to
focus on the role of individual states in growing the army and lowering tariffs.
2. Following the expiration of the first Bank of the United States in 1811, state banks
a.
guaranteed a stable economy.
b.
issued an excess of paper money.
c.
minted their own gold and silver coins.
d.
were closely regulated by the federal government.
e.
cut way back on credit.
3. The new Bank of the United States, created in 1816
a.
served as a depository for federal funds.
b.
was opposed by President Madison.
c.
was totally owned by the government.
d.
would be located in Washington, D.C.
e.
would be forbidden to issue paper money.
4. Senator Daniel Webster, in opposing the new Bank of the United States in 1816, spoke for
the interests of
a.
New England Federalists who feared the rising financial power of Philadelphia.
b.
southern planters who feared skyrocketing inflation.
c.
westerners who were angry that there would not be branches in every state.
d.
Old Republicans who were worried about the interest on their farm mortgages.
e.
economic nationalists who felt a trade war with Britain would improve the economy.
5. The Tariff of 1816 was intended to
a.
reduce the annual federal revenue, thereby benefiting consumers.
b.
protect American industry from cheap English imports.
c.
limit American exports to countries in Asia.
d.
promote economic independence from France.
e.
lower the prices of the African slave trade.
6. John C. Calhoun accepted the Tariff of 1816 because he
a.
saw it as a way to lessen the importance of slavery to southern planters.
b.
saw it as a means to protect slavery in the South.
c.
expected the South would become a manufacturing center.
d.
sympathized with New England shippers and southern farmers.
e.
argued that the Constitution required it.
7. The idea of federal support for internal improvements
a.
was explicitly authorized by the Constitution.
b.
lost popularity due to the War of 1812.
c.
was represented by the construction of the National Road.
d.
was equally popular in all sections of the country.
e.
was one of Madison’s key proposals in his reelection campaign.
8. Which region opposed the creation of internal improvements the most because residents
would not benefit from their use?
a.
New England
d.
the coastline
b.
the South
e.
the Great Lakes
c.
the West
9. The first judicial ruling that declared a federal law to be unconstitutional came from
a.
McCulloch v. Maryland.
d.
Dartmouth College v. Woodward.
b.
Gibbons v. Ogden.
e.
Marbury v. Madison.
c.
Cohens v. Virginia.
10. In the early 1800s, the Supreme Court decisions associated with John Marshall consistently championed
a.
states’ rights.
d.
Jeffersonian Republicanism.
b.
a literal reading of the Constitution.
e.
judicial supremacy.
c.
national authority.
11. The ruling in Dartmouth College v. Woodward related to
a.
monopoly law.
d.
contract rights.
b.
the right to tax federal currency.
e.
interstate commerce.
c.
constitutionality of a federal law.
12. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Marshall court struck down that state’s ability to tax
a.
imports.
d.
the national bank.
b.
income.
e.
private contracts.
c.
farmers.
13. The steamboat companies involved in Gibbons v. Ogden settled a controversy over what
broader issue?
a.
state-chartered colleges
d.
federal land sales
b.
voting rights
e.
interstate commerce
c.
canal construction
14. The program for economic development known as the American System called for
a.
a national bank, the building of infrastructure, and protective tariffs for American industry.
b.
cheap imports of manufactured goods from Great Britain to relieve American workers
of increased demands.
c.
the movement of more enslaved peoples from Africa to revive the agricultural South
after the war.
d.
the importation of cheap cotton from Egypt to supply the mills of New England.
e.
the creation of state banks to make cheap paper currency and make imported goods
more easily accessible.
15. The American System resulted in
a.
high tariffs that predominantly benefited the Northeast.
b.
free public schools and the emergence of a public university system.
c.
the emergence of the South as a manufacturing center.
d.
a major reduction in the sectional grievances affecting national politics.
e.
public financing of industrial development and infrastructure.
16. Which of the following statements accurately describes James Monroe?
a.
He was the first president born after the Revolution and had a highly different background from the
founding fathers.
b.
He enthusiastically supported Madison’s policies of economic nationalism and quickly made
headway advancing them.
c.
He had not had any political experience upon running for president and suffered during his first
term as a result.
d.
He had served in the army under Washington during the Revolution and was viewed as sensible and
cautious.
e.
He suffered from alcoholism and bouts of depression and was wounded while dueling Jefferson.
17. Which of the following shattered Monroe’s “Era of Good Feelings”?
a.
the Panic of 1819 and the Missouri Compromise conflict
b.
the McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden decisions
c.
the collapse of tobacco and corn prices
d.
a war with Spain over the border of Texas
e.
the financial costs of the Erie Canal
18. The immediate cause of the Panic of 1819 was
a.
the flooding of the American market with cheap British goods.
b.
the collapse of the Bank of the United States.
c.
the Transcontinental Treaty of 1819.
d.
the difficulty of obtaining credit.
e.
a sudden collapse of cotton prices.
19. The Panic of 1819 turned into a depression because
a.
cotton and tobacco prices soared, decreasing the number of consumers.
b.
international commerce slowed with the removal of tariffs.
c.
people continued to put too much trust in banks throughout the episode.
d.
businessmen, farmers, and speculators had recklessly borrowed money.
e.
all banks refused to generate more loans or issue more paper money.
20. Missouri’s admission to the Union as a slave state was balanced by the admission of the
free state of
a.
Maine.
d.
Minnesota.
b.
Ohio.
e.
Wisconsin.
c.
Vermont.
21. The Missouri Compromise stipulated that in the rest of the Louisiana Purchase north of 36° 30´,
a.
slaves would become free at age 25.
b.
slavery would be excluded.
c.
majority rule would determine whether slavery would be legal.
d.
there would be no restrictions on slavery.
e.
free blacks could not become citizens.
22. What was one of the ways in which the Missouri Compromise proved significant?
a.
The compromise ensured that Missouri would remain a slave-free territory and fail to achieve
statehood for several more decades.
b.
Politicians came together in one of the first examples of bipartisan legislation that fundamentally
shifted party and regional goals.
c.
The compromise successfully settled the issue of expanding slavery into the western territories,
reaching a consensus.
d.
Nationalists ultimately became less powerful after they lashed out in anger that Congress never
allowed the passage of the compromise.
e.
The compromise solidified positions on both sides of the debate and showed a growing divide
among the Northeast, Midwest, and South.
23. The secretary of state throughout James Monroe’s presidency was John Quincy Adams.
One of Adams’s accomplishments in this role was
a.
the Missouri Compromise, which proved a long-term solution to slavery in the territories.
b.
the Convention of 1818, which settled the northern border of the Louisiana Purchase.
c.
the Oregon Compact of 1819, which led Russia to sell the territory to the United States.
d.
the Quebec Act, which settled the border between Canada and the state of Maine.
e.
his ability to put an end to what was known as diplomatic nationalism.
24. Which of the following statements accurately describes the Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817?
a.
It settled the boundary between the United States and Spanish Florida.
b.
It was a formal treaty dealing with trade and island territories with the British West Indies.
c.
It ended naval competition between the United States and Great Britain on the Great Lakes.
d.
It dealt with fishing rights off Newfoundland and claims to islands off New Brunswick.
e.
It forbid any additional British immigrants to the United States, as they were seen as spies.
25. Which of the following did the Convention of 1818 cause?
a.
It closed off American settlement so that it would end to the east of the Rocky Mountains.
b.
It opened Oregon to joint occupation by the United States and Great Britain.
c.
It enforced the obligations of Pinckney’s Treaty of 1795 regarding Indian raids.
d.
It limited the number of warships on the Great Lakes.
e.
It settled several points of contention between the United States and Spain.
26. The MOST important factor behind U.S. acquisition of Florida in 1819 was
a.
Spain’s need for money.
b.
President Monroe’s invasion threat.
c.
Andrew Jackson’s incursion in pursuit of the Seminoles.
d.
Henry Clay’s diplomatic ability.
e.
Spain’s determination to keep Florida from the British.
27. Although Jackson remained a hero to most Americans following his travels to Spanish
Florida, he
a.
pursued conquests in the Spanish colonies that deeply troubled expansionists and lost him most of
their support.
b.
was an even bigger hero in Britain due to his protection of British traders and soldiers found in this
part of the Spanish colonies.
c.
violated international law by establishing a provisional American government in Pensacola, the
Spanish capital.
d.
had weakened John Quincy Adam’s ability to negotiate with the Spanish to purchase the territory.
e.
let down John C. Calhoun by refusing to engage in violent conquest of the peoples living there.
28. The Transcontinental Treaty of 1819
a.
was negotiated by John C. Calhoun.
b.
strengthened the U.S. claim to Texas.
c.
brought permanent peace with Britain.
d.
extended the boundary of Louisiana to the Pacific.
e.
recognized Spanish control of Florida.
29. By the early 1820s, Spain’s influence in Latin America had
a.
grown to include more colonies.
b.
been overtaken by Russia.
c.
allied with Portugal to maintain influence.
d.
diminished to the point of losing most colonies.
e.
resulted in Argentina and Mexico becoming world powers.
30. Which of the following drove the diplomatic policy known as the Monroe Doctrine?
a.
efforts to prevent any future European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere, which would in turn
make the United States appear more dignified
b.
the promise of financial aid from the United States to Latin American nations as they expanded
following the Napoleonic Wars
c.
the anticipation that the United States would benefit from European intervention in North America
in terms of peace and safety
d.
the sense of necessity and urgency for the United States to interfere with existing European–
controlled colonies in the Americas
e.
the understanding that the United States would be sure to play an integral part of the international
affairs of European nations
31. In which of the following ways did the 1820 presidential election mark a political turning point?
a.
Monroe became the first president to lose an election for a second term, highlighting the damaging
flaws of his first term.
b.
It was the first United States election in which the vote for the presidency proved a tie and was left
up to the House of Representatives.
c.
A powerful third party rose to prominence, making the United States a three-party political system
for the next decade.
d.
The Democratic Republicans had little to no support and were the first party to navigate making a
successful comeback in 1824.
e.
The Federalist party virtually disappeared as a result of its refusal to support the War of 1812, and
Monroe was reelected without opposition.
32. Which of the following statements is true of Andrew Jackson?
a.
He treated the destruction of slavery as a personal crusade despite intense resistance
from the South.
b.
He oversaw the creation of legislation outlawing dueling, which raised his profile as a
presidential candidate.
c.
He rose as a presidential candidate because of his popular contributions as part of
Monroe’s second-term cabinet.
d.
He was viewed as combative and had no moral reservations about the institution of
slavery, as he owned many slaves.
e.
He was the only president to have never been married, which many voters held
against him.
33. Which of the following statements accurately describes Andrew Jackson as a politician?
a.
He declared himself the champion of the common people.
b.
He faced the most disdain from Irish immigrants.
c.
He openly promised to represent the social and political elite.
d.
He worked hard to revive the Federalist party.
e.
He owed much of his success to the endorsement of Jefferson.
34. Of the four candidates in the 1824 election, which of the following is true of Andrew Jackson?
a.
John Quincy Adams decisively beat him in the popular vote and electoral college.
b.
He lost the electoral vote but won the popular vote.
c.
He won the popular vote and the most votes in the electoral vote.
d.
He failed to win his home state of Tennessee.
e.
He was the only one to withdraw from the election.
35. The “corrupt bargain” in the election of 1824 referred to
a.
the widespread purchase of votes in several states.
b.
the belief that Clay supported Adams in return for becoming secretary of state.
c.
the blatant miscounting of ballots in the electoral college.
d.
Jackson’s promise to make Calhoun his vice president.
e.
Jackson’s belief that the Constitution had been disregarded.
36. The 1824 election, which made John Quincy Adams president, was ultimately decided by
a.
the electoral college.
b.
popular vote.
c.
a Supreme Court ruling.
d.
the House of Representatives.
e.
the stance of the candidates on the major issues.
37. One of John Quincy Adams’s major shortcomings as president was his lack of
a.
intellect.
d.
personal energy.
b.
experience.
e.
political skills.
c.
ideas for the nation’s future.
38. As president, John Quincy Adams proposed to
a.
support internal improvements and science.
b.
create a Department of the Interior.
c.
establish new American colonies in Africa.
d.
promote the creation of federal religion.
e.
create a new national bank.
39. In the South Carolina Exposition and Protest (1828), John C. Calhoun demonstrated that he
had come to turn away from economic nationalism, declaring that
a.
high tariffs were necessary to protect the cotton states of the Lower South as well as the country as
a whole.
b.
a state could nullify an act of Congress that it found unconstitutional, such as the Tariff of 1828.
c.
transportation infrastructure was badly needed in and would most benefit New England.
d.
to protect the nation’s economy, Congress should prevent the creation of the Second Bank of the
United States.
e.
the South had successfully become the dominant manufacturing center of the
United States, just as he had envisioned.
40. The Tariff of 1828
a.
was opposed by Daniel Webster.
b.
showed Calhoun’s continued devotion to nationalism.
c.
lowered tariffs dramatically over President Adams’s objections.
d.
boosted the presidential hopes of Jackson.
e.
caused the breakup of the Republican party.
41. The 1828 presidential campaign was dominated by
a.
record levels of campaign spending.
b.
debate over tariff policy.
c.
vicious personal attacks.
d.
public concerns over foreign policy.
e.
controversy over foreign immigration.
42. One of Jackson’s greatest personal vulnerabilities in the 1828 campaign was
a.
his reputation as a cruel slave master.
b.
charges that he was a coward.
c.
the scandal surrounding his marriage.
d.
his large amount of wealth.
e.
his lack of conviction.
43. In this new political era, Jackson had a tremendous advantage because of his
a.
rise from common origins.
d.
eloquence as a speaker.
b.
aristocratic manners.
e.
clear stance on the issues.
c.
patriotism.
44. By the 1820s, the right to vote had generally been extended to
a.
women.
d.
freed slaves.
b.
adult white males regardless of property.
e.
educated blacks.
c.
Native Americans.
45. Which of the following statements accurately describes Working Men’s parties?
a.
They were concerned with the widening inequality of wealth and with the promotion of the interest
of laborers.
b.
They successfully reinstated property qualifications for voting as labor unions became a part of the
political landscape.
c.
They focused primarily on promoting temperance and the role of men in ensuring family stability.
d.
They were a constant presence in the political arena for the entirety of the industrialized nineteenth
century.
e.
They never drew much attention to their demands despite their representation of the Jacksonian
ideal of the “common man.”
46. Which of the following occurred in the presidential election of 1828?
a.
John C. Calhoun won the South but lost in New England.
b.
John C. Calhoun won New England but lost in the South.
c.
Most of Andrew Jackson’s support was in New England.
d.
Adams did not win a single state.
e.
Jackson won every state south and west of Pennsylvania.
47. Which of the following was an 1828 campaign promise of Andrew Jackson?
a.
invading and conquering Mexico
b.
allowing women to vote
c.
restoring the government to “the people”
d.
punishing Britain for its past transgressions
e.
forcing Native Americans to relocate to the western territories
ESSAY
1. What made Monroe’s presidency the “Era of Good Feelings,” and how did the state of the
nation after the War of 1812 create this concept?
2. Although there was much resistance to the First Bank of the United States, by the end of the
War of 1812, there was significant support for chartering a successor bank. What led to
former opponents of the national bank becoming supporters of the bank?
3. Following the War of 1812, political positions shifted, with Republicans supporting many
former Federalist ideas, like the banks, and Federalists supporting former Republican
programs. What events help explain this transition?
4. Contrast the expressions of nationalism and sectionalism in the period from 1815 to 1828. Did nationalism or
sectionalism seem more dominant during these years?
5. In what ways might the foreign policy of this period be called nationalistic?
6. Examine the factors contributing to the rise of Jacksonian democracy.
7. In what ways did the Supreme Court act as a force for nationalism in this period?
8. What factors led to the decline of the first party system?
9. Discuss the causes and results of the Panic of 1819.
10. Detail the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Discuss the various obstacles that needed to be
solved in order to complete the deal. How was the crisis an example of the conflict between
national and sectional interests? Did the Compromise solve the problem or merely postpone it?
11. What led to the development of the Monroe Doctrine, and how did President Monroe transmit his ideas to the
American people?
12. How was the election of 1824 unique? Be sure to include all of the candidates, details of the
campaign itself, the outcome, and the political controversy after the election.
13. Much has been made of the “corrupt bargain.” Explain the events in question and discuss the
merits of such a deal. Was the corrupt bargain actually a “corrupt” use of power, or was it
political allies uniting against a political enemy?
14. Why did the elite political class of the United States fear Andrew Jackson? Make an
argument regarding whether Jackson was really a man of the people and a champion of the
common man, or if he was an ambitious opportunist who saw the common man as his ticket
to power.
MATCHING
Match each description with the item below.
a.
was a nationalist chief justice
b.
crafted the Missouri Compromise
c.
convinced the Spanish to sign the Transcontinental Treaty while secretary of state
d.
was president at the end of the War of 1812
e.
was an early feminist and influential at gatherings attended with John Quincy Adams
f.
introduced amendment to ban slavery from Missouri
g.
led the war against the Seminoles in Florida
h.
championed state’s rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution in the 1824 election
i.
presided over the “Era of Good Feelings”
j.
was the Massachusetts senator who favored a protective tariff in 1828
1. John Q. Adams
2. Louisa Johnson
3. Henry Clay
4. William Crawford
5. Andrew Jackson
6. James Madison
7. John Marshall
8. James Monroe
9. James Tallmadge Jr.
10. Daniel Webster