NATIONALISM AND SECTIONALISM--

Q: Although sectionalism has never been completely absent in the history of the U.S., there have been periods when it was greatly overshadowed by nationalism. Some historians contend that in the decade following the war of 1812, nationalism was the dominant force. How far would you go in agreeing with this opinion? Use specific examples.

A: The United States went into the war of 1812 disunited. It emerged from the war more united than ever before. A nationalistic sense of unity prevailed in the years following the war. The end of the war also signaled the death of the Federalist party, which, after the laughable Hartford Convention, was barely a threat to unity, anyway. Monroe's presidency ushered in an "Era of Good Feelings" that was mainly nationalistic, but the evils of sectionalism were also taking their roots.

Nationalistic pride was exhibited both economically and politically. Britain, out for revenge after the war, lowered its prices significantly on the market. But the U.S. was not to be beaten down so easily; the protective Tariff of 1816 was issued, raising prices of British goods imported by 20 to 25 percent. Also, the Bank of U.S. was made more powerful. Renovations were even made to the capital to reflect the nation's newfound sense of nationalistic pride. The U.S. army increased in size as well. In addition, Monroe's term set a friendly precedent between political parties; thus, for a time, all was peaceful in politics. Henry Clay's proposed American System, involving the bank, tariff and internal improvements also won over the recently united nation. Clamors for transportation improvements meant new roads leading across the states, like the Cumberland Road, heading west. Westward expansion was but one of the many nationalistic events occuring in the United States.

In regard to literature, legal issues and international business, the U.S. was also highly nationalistic. Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper were the first American authors to use American themes and settings. Noah Webster published the first American dictionary. Old British history books were being replaced by American history books in a demonstration of nationalistic pride. In legal issues, John Marshall continued his reign as a Federalist supreme court judge. In several court cases, Marshall took power away from the states, thus stamping out sectionalistic tendencies. For example, in Dartmouth vs. Woodward, Marshall ordered the state of New Hampshire (which had been intent on changing the king's charter that belonged to the college) that the original charter must stand; thus he overruled New Hampshire's ruling, obviously removing power from the individual states and handing it over to the federal government. Internationally, the Monroe Doctrine sent a clear "stay out" message to Great Britain as well as any other foreign nations. The Doctrine's main issues dealt with nonintervention from foreign countries (aimed at Britain to stop meddling with revolts in the Caribbean) and noncolonization (aimed at Russia to stop further settling of the United States, as they already loomed large in Alaska). The United States was telling other nations that they were ready to make an honest attempt at becoming a united nation.

Though nationalistic pride was the main dominator of the United States following the war of 1812, sectionalistic tendencies rose heavily in 1819 with the economic panic due to overspeculation in western lands. The U.S., which had recently gained Missouri, was in debate over whether to declare it a slave state or a free state. Again the United States was sharply divided in opinion regarding the ominous cloud of slavery. In a futile attempt at temporary reconciliation, Henry Clay issued the uneasy Missouri Compromise, stating that all territory above the 36 30 line was free, and adding Maine to the United States so as to keep the balance between slave states and free states. Though both regions gained something from the Compromise, the South really won, as the soil up north was unfit for slavery, and manifest destiny meant westward expansion would continue, allowing the South to gain even more territory to the west and down through Central America. Therefore sectionalism continued to threaten the United States, splitting the North and the South on a controversial issue that could mean the end of the Union.

In conclusion, following the war of 1812, the United States was mostly nationalistic. The U.S. showed nationalistic pride in its economics, politics, legal issues, international business, and literature. Though the United States was by far dominated by nationalism, sectionalism was beginning to become a major problem for the nation. It would not be long before the Missouri Compromise gave way to a war over slavery and the very nature of humanity itself.

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