Lecture 9:
From Nationalism to Democracy
Following the War of 1812 the United States entered what
is often called the Era of Good Feelings, when a high degree of national
consensus prevailed and nationalist values were cemented. The Era of Good Feelings was followed by
the Era of the Common Man, in which the central figure is Andrew Jackson, the
President of the Common Man. These
two eras could be contrasted, but they also could be considered pieces of a
larger whole, whereby nationalism is further strengthened by an injection of
popular democracy.
Outline of Lecture
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Introduction
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During the thirty years or so following the War of 1812,
the US experienced first the Era of Good Feelings, a time of great
consensus, and then the Era of the Common Man, a time of great
contention. This is a time to
consider the course of democracy as an institution in America. Greater participation in politics broke
down the consensus, established the political folk hero as a new type of
leader, and while not always pretty, invigorated the democratic system.
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The Era of
Good Feelings
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The nationalist program was one of development,
comprising the national bank, a
protective tariff, internal improvements, liberal land laws, pro-business
court decisions, and assertive foreign policy. Such a program was possible because of a temporary lull in
party politics and high degree of public consensus.
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The Missouri
Compromise
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Jefferson called the controversy over the admission of
Missouri, centering as it did on the issue of slavery, a “firebell in the
night.” It showed that slavery,
while still amenable to compromise (the Missouri Compromise and the Second
Missouri Compromise) in Congress, was becoming a dangerously divisive
issue.
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The Era of the
Common Man
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Andrew Jackson symbolizes the Era of the Common
Man. The traits of his Presidency,
and of the new brand of politics, are evident in the examination of the
Eaton affair, the fight with the Bank of the United States, Indian removal,
and the nullification crisis.
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Assignments
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Tocqueville
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Chapter 11: “Advantages of Democracy in the United
States.” This chapter on the
advantages of democracy seems particularly appropriate for study in
relation to the time of President Andrew Jackson, the Era of the Common
Man. Many Americans lionized
Jackson, who epitomized the democratization of American public
affairs. Others said he would be
the ruin of the country. And about
that time, Tocqueville arrived in the US.
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In matters of government, what things do aristocracies do
well? What things do democracies do
well?
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Consider the relation of the last full paragraph on p. 101
to the presidency of Andrew Jackson.
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What are the two types of patriotism? And why are
Americans, as Tocqueville sees them, so darned patriotic?
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OK, here's a challenge to one of you Business majors. Can you take Tocqueville's comments on
patriotism, particularly p. 104, and relate them to management theory?
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This chapter shows Tocqueville at his rhetorical
best. Check out his ode to liberty
in the middle of p. 106; also his two paragraphs measuring and comparing
aristocracy and democracy on pp. 110-111.
And don't miss his use of humor!
This guy can be really droll.
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Tocqueville describes Americans' all-consuming interest in
politics. Is that the way Americans are today?
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Who enforces the law in a democracy?
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WWW
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Much of this lecture is concerned with Andrew Jackson,
the President for the Common Man. So go to the White House and read about Jackson as
President. While you're there, read about his dear Rachel,
whose honor was sullied by Jackson's foes.
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HIST 103 Home Page
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