Points for Discussion

 

1.   Analyze the economic and political consequences of the War of 1812. How and why did the war stimulate American nationalism and expansion?

2.   When and what was the “era of good feelings”? How did non-whites figure into this era? Why was the era so short-lived?

3.   Explain the roles of John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson in the acquisition of Florida.

4.   What role did government play in promoting territorial expansion after the War of 1812? What role did private industry play in the Old Southwest? In what ways was the story of expansion in the West consistent with the myth of the American West? How did it depart from that myth? How was westward expansion also a story of American diversity?

5.   What was the “Great American Desert”? Was its name deserved? What was its impact on westward expansion?

6.   Why did a sectional crisis over slavery emerge during the “era of good feelings”? Why did the Missouri Compromise fail to permanently end the national debate over slavery?

7.   How were Federalists able to continue to have an impact on public policy even though the Federalist Party did not exist after the War of 1812? How were the national Republicans of the 1820s similar to the Federalists? How were they different?

8.   What were John Marshall’s contributions to the rise of nationalism after the War of 1812? In what specific areas did he increase the power of the national government?

9.   Analyze the background, purpose, and impact of the Monroe Doctrine. Was it a reasonable and justifiable policy for the United States?

10. Why did John Quincy Adams win the election of 1824 and lose the election of 1828? What factors contributed to his loss and the revival of partisan differences during the 1820s?

11. How did American nationalism influence American foreign policy? What forces, if any, tended to negate that influence? Why was American nationalism not able to override sectional differences?