US History: The 'Era of Good Feelings,' Nationalism, and Secularism

This essay examines the Era of Good Feelings in US history, questioning whether the name accurately reflects the period. It analyzes the transformation of America from revolutionists to nationalists and subsequently to secularists, highlighting the key events and factors that shaped this era. The essay discusses the rise of nationalism following the War of 1812 and the simultaneous growth of sectionalism, particularly concerning slavery and economic differences between the North and South. While nationalism initially unified the Americans, secularism led to increasing conflict and division. The conclusion emphasizes the dual nature of the Era of Good Feelings, acknowledging both its unifying and divisive aspects and referencing the American Revolution's impact and the subsequent conflicts arising from secularism. Desklib offers this essay and many more resources for students.

US History
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Introduction
The essay will explain that whether the “Era of Good Feelings” lives up to its name or not. It will also analyze the
changing of USA and its citizens from revolutionists to nationalism and from nationalism to secularism. America
has a long history starting from British colonization, Revolutionary Wars, Era of Good Feelings, nationalism up to
secularism.
Main Context
The “Era of Good Feelings” is associated with the two terms of US President James Monroe (1817-25). It actually
started in the year 1815, when after the Napoleonic Wars, the Americans for the first time were paying less attention
to military and political affairs of Europe (Phillips 363-382). The good feeling which was better known as
complacency, was inspired by two events of the year 1816, the last year of President James Madison. One was the
formation of the first protective tariff of the USA, and another was the foundation of the second National Bank.
USA was on its way in establishing a one-party state that is Democratic-Republicans on the national level after the
decline of Federalists in the USA. Sectionalism was going to be replaced by nationalism (Grossmann and Michael
311-324). But by the year 1820, a long period of conflict was forecasted, as different sectional interests, specifically
slavery and expansion, had increased during the second term of President James Monroe. The “Era of Good
Feelings” proved to be a temporary comfort in political and personal clashes and also several new issues were
developing. The name "Era of Good Feelings" is both appropriate and inappropriate. It is relevant as due to the rise
of nationalism, the USA could take vital decisions of its own. It is inappropriate, as sectionalism also grew
simultaneously with nationalism and so several debates on some matters as well as many unpleasant circumstances
also took place.
The British had started colonizing America from the year 1670. The Revolutionary Wars of America occurred
between the years 1785 and 1783(Fleche 5-20). America became the USA after Britain surrendered on 19th October
in the year 1783. The Americans were officially free from the British and established their own government. The
freedom was the most major consequence for the Americans. The citizens of America gained the rights and liberties
of their own. From the 1800s, North America started industrializing, and South America highly depend on the cotton
industry. The 1812 war arouses nationalism among the Americans. A sense of patriotism developed that influenced
the Americans, and they stated paintings of their heroes of the wars and published schoolbooks on George
Washington, The dictionary of Noah Webster also promoted nationalism (Brands 73-94). Secularism was also
increasing simultaneously with nationalism. Nationalism was unifying the Americans, but secularism was trying to
keep them apart. The while Southerners depended on slavery and cotton. The North Eastern Americans were relying
more on trade and manufacturing. The West Americans desired for low-cost land and better transport systems.
Conclusion
The essay discussed that the name “Era of Good Feelings” is both appropriate and inappropriate in certain senses. It
also explained about the transformation from revolutionists to nationalists and from nationalists to secularists of
America and its peoples. The war of revolution gave the freedom to the Americans but secularism aroused conflict
among the Americans.

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References
Brands, Hal. "US grand strategy in an age of nationalism: fortress America and its alternatives." The Washington
Quarterly 40.1 (2017): 73-94.
Fleche, Andre M. "The American Civil War in the Age of Revolution." South Central Review 33.1 (2016): 5-20.
Grossmann, Igor, and Michael EW Varnum. "Social structure, infectious diseases, disasters, secularism, and cultural
change in America." Psychological Science 26.3 (2015): 311-324.
Phillips, Kim T. "Democrats of the Old School in the Era of Good Feelings." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History
and Biography 95.3 (2015): 363-382.