Era of Good Feeling

The era of feeling good can be defined as a period from 1815 to 125 in the American

history that were under two administrations of president James Monroe. This happened after

enduring heavy losses from that ended in 1812. Although historians use the term “era of good

feeling” to refer to that period, it is misleading because the entire period was not an error of

feeling good. It is true that the time period began on positive notes. After the end of the battle of

New Orleans in 1815 that marked the end of the war, citizens in America developed to be strong

nationalists. The Secretary of Treasury, Albert Gallatin said that “the war has renewed and

reinstated the national feelings”. The increase in nationalism at the time lead to the creation of a

one-party rule nationally which was the Republican Party.

During this period, the exultation replaced the period of bitter political division that

existed between federalists and republicans. The reduction in political hostilities was due to the

dissolution of the Federalist Party after the fiasco at the Hartford Convention. President James

Monroe aimed to downplay partisan affiliation during his nominations with the focus of

eliminating all political parties from the national politics. That is why the “Era of Goo Feeling”

period is closely associated with the Monroe Presidency and his administrative goals. In the

period of presidential elections in 1824 and after, there was a split in the Democratic-Republican

Party. The split was because of the supporters and opponents of Jacksonian Democracy and in

the end, the Second Party System was created.

The period being referred to as the “Era of Good Feeling” is often met with irony and

skeptism from historians because it was marked with an atmosphere of political strain and

divisiveness. This was especially true among key political players in the Monroe administration
and the Democratic-Republican Party. The Era of Good Feeling began on heightened positive

notes full of nationalism, political stability and economic success. However, the period was also

faced with political instability and the end of the one-party rule in 1924.

Election of 1828

The United States election of 1828 is one of the most significant events in the United

States history. This is because this election ushered in an era of political campaigns and creating

a way for the solid creation of political parties. The presidential election was a rematch between

John Adams and Andrew Jackson who won the election. In the election that happed in 1824,

John Quincy Adams emerged as a winner even though the major opponent Andrew Jackson has

the most electoral votes. This was because no candidate won with majority electoral votes which

led the elections to be decided by House of Representatives. The election in 1828 happed when

Jacksonians was known basically as democrats. Different from the elections from previous years

where congressional party delegates would normally gather to nominate one candidate, the

election in 1828 was different. This is because the election was the first where a majority of

states used a convention to endorse one candidate.

The selection for the presidential election in 1828 was decided by voters in all states in

the US but two states. Additionally, public opinion became an important factor in elections

compared to previous years. Supporters for Jackson created newspapers that were pro-Jackson

helping in distribution of his policies and election materials. The opposition also organized

rallies, parades and public gatherings to promote their candidate. The election was also

characterized by slander and different personalities. For example, Jackson and his wife Rachel

who were married for a long time were plastered as adulterers in campaigns magazines and
pamphlets. The newspapers would also report on Jacksons issues such as gambling and dueling

widely. However, Jackson’s supporters were not left behind in the mudslinging because they

portrayed his opponent Adam as a corrupt bargainer and an unscrupulous aristocrat who misused

taxpayer’s money. When the elections ended, Adams had 83 electoral votes in the National

Republican Party while Jackson won the election with 178 electoral votes to become the US

president. Jackson was the first US president that was elected into office using direct appeals to

mass voters instead of the usual route of seeking support from a recognized political

organization.