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CHAPTER 9
Nationalism and Sectionalism
1815–1828
This chapter covers the rise of nationalism after the War of 1812 and the various ways it manifested itself
economically and judicially. It then moves on to discuss challenges to the national viewpoint with the rise
of sectionalism, as evidenced by regional differences over the implementation of the American System
and disagreement over the spread of slavery. The chapter proceeds to discuss the economic and political
CORE OBJECTIVES
1. Analyze how the new spirit of nationalism that emerged after the War of 1812 affected economic
policies and judicial decisions.
2. Summarize the issues and ideas that promoted sectional conflict during this era.
3. Explain the emergence of the “Era of Good Feelings” and the factors that led to its demise.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
1. A New Nationalism
A. Postwar Nationalism and Economic Policy
B. The Bank of the United States
C. A Protective Tariff
D. Internal Improvements
E. Postwar Nationalism and the Supreme Court
F. Protecting Contract Rights
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G. Protecting a National Currency
H. Regulating Interstate Commerce
2. Debates over the American System
3. “Era of Good Feelings”
A. James Monroe
B. The Panic of 1819
C. The Missouri Compromise
4. Nationalist Diplomacy
A. Relations with Britain
B. Florida
C. The Monroe Doctrine
5. The Rise of Andrew Jackson
A. One-Party Politics
B. Presidential Nominations
C. The “Corrupt Bargain”
D. John Quincy Adams
E. The Election of Andrew Jackson
F. The Rise of the “Common Man” in Politics
G. Labor Politics
H. President Jackson
LECTURE IDEAS
1. A lecture on the development of America’s early national economy will expose the students to many of
the challenges facing the early republic. This discussion should include the issue of a national bank,
2. Discuss the growth and expansion of U.S. territory. Elaborate on the various boundary treaties that
America had with other countries: France, Spain, and Britain. Include the notion of Manifest Destiny.
Helpful websites include:
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3. For a lecture on the important topic of the Supreme Court’s nationalist decisions, see Alfred H. Kelly,
Winfred A. Harbison, and Herman Belz’s The American Constitution: Its Origins and Development
4. A lecture on the election of 1828 would be a good way to show the relationship between Adams and
5. What was it about Andrew Jackson that made him so popular and that made so many Americans—
especially common white men—relate to him? Write a lecture that uses the biographical approach to
show what made Jackson a powerful political force by the mid-1820s. There is no better source that the
IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES / FLIPPED CLASSROOM SUGGESTIONS
1. An excellent way to cover the presidency of John Quincy Adams and to spark a good classroom
discussion is to use segments from the 1976 PBS series The Adams Chronicles, which is now available
2. One of the best-known monikers for this period is the “Era of Good Feelings.” What does this mean?
The best explanation can be found in George Dangerfield’s old but reliable The Era of Good Feelings
3. Examine the Missouri Controversy and its role in developing a sense of American sectionalism. Daniel
Walker Howe’s What God Hath Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848 (2007) and
William W. Freehling’s The Road to Disunion: Secessionists at Bay, 1776–1854 (1990) both skillfully
treat the crisis. Robert Pierce Forbes’s The Missouri Compromise and its Aftermath: Slavery and the
4. Divide the class into small groups and have them research the Monroe Doctrine. Assign different
aspects for each group to research, such as the military implications, actual versus symbolic impacts,
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and the Roosevelt Corollary. In addition, ask them to relate their topic to relevant current events around
the world. Pertinent sources include:
5. John Quincy Adams’s presidency has been termed a failure, but his tenure as secretary of state was
very impressive. Examine his initiatives as secretary of state and how they impacted national
development. The standard treatments of this era are George Dangerfield’s The Era of Good Feelings
(1952) and Daniel Walker Howe’s What God Hath Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the concept of the “Era of Good Feelings,” paying particular attention to the state of the nation
after the War of 1812.
2. Weigh the pros and cons of establishing the Second Bank of the United States.
3. How did the American System, an economic plan championed by Henry Clay, help lessen America’s
dependency from Great Britain?
4. Following the War of 1812, political positions shifted, with Republicans supporting many former
Federalist ideas, like the banks, and Federalists supporting former Republican programs. Discuss this
phenomenon.
5. Much has been made of the “corrupt bargain.” Explain the events in question and discuss the merits of
such a deal.
6. How might one account for the rise of Andrew Jackson to victory in the election of 1828?
PRACTICING CITIZENSHIP
The chapter focuses on the intersection of national and sectional interests. At times, such interests may
agree, and at other times, they may be at odds with one another. Research issues of concern in your area.
What industries are most common in your region? What issues do politicians and voters seem to care
most about? Compare the concerns and positions most commonly seen in your local area with national