Unit 5: Democratic and Territorial Expansion (1824-1853)

1. Unit 5: Democratic and Territorial Expansion (1824-1853) Essential Questions: Part I: To what extent does wider political participation influence a nation’s development? Part II: To what extent are a nation’s values and geographic expansion interconnected?

2. The Birth of American Nationalism The period immediately following the War of 1812 is considered by many historians to be the first true “American era” in US History. Before this time period, most people living in the United States recognized themselves according to their European, regional or state/colonial backgrounds. The modern sense of a unique American identity and unity (as we see it today) was still unknown. What caused this change in how Americans began to see themselves and how might increased participation in society impact this perspective?

3. War of 1812 (Second War of American Independence) The roots of a sense of American nationalism and unique American identity can be found in the outcomes of the War of 1812. This war, fought between 1812-1815, brought the United States to the brink of disaster to our old enemy, Great Britain. • Repeated failed invasions of Canada. • Devastating British blockade of the Eastern Seaboard. • Capture and Burning of Washington DC. However, the Treaty of Ghent, which creates an armistice (agreement to end fighting) between the US and GB is seen as a victory to the Americans. Why? We did not outright loseto the British Americans won the last major battle in New Orleans

4. Nationalist impact of the War of 1812 • Stronger domestic economic activities The Embargo Act and British blockades had the long-range impact of strengthening American industrial and agricultural production. Northeastern factories and ports were forced to look internally for sources of money and markets. Southern plantations began to see the Northeast as a more reliable trading partner than Great Britain and France. The Industrial Revolution and the Cotton Gin invented by Eli Whitney created a single product that united both sections of the economy. Cotton becomes the “King” of US economic production.

5. Nationalist impact of the War of 1812 2. The “Era of Good Feelings”/One-Party System The War of 1812 was very unpopular among the people of the Northeast and the Federalist Party. In December 1814, Federalist opponents of “Mr. Madison’s War” met at the Hartford Convention to discuss possible options for dealing with war and the Republican control of government. The Federalist claimed: • The war was unnecessary, too costly and unconstitutional. • States should be able to individually stop fighting the war if it was unconstitutional (VA/KY resolutions). • We are losing the war! When Americans compared the end of the war with the Federalist’s beliefs – The Federalists were seen as unpatriotic and even traitors. This resulted in the “death of Federalist Party” as they failed to run a candidate for President in 1820.

6. Exit Ticket: How could the increase in American nationalism after the War of 1812 support an increase in the economic and civic participation by the average American? Construct a body paragraph that answers any part of this question. What is your topic sentence? What are your supporting details?