Lesson:
The Era of Good Feelings
James Monroe and the Era of Good Feelings
© Lauren Webb. 2015. {a social studies life}
Name __________________________________________________________________
Social Studies
Date ________________________________
The Changing Nation
James Monroe and the Era of Good Feelings
Aim: What was the Era of Good Feelings? How did James Monroe’s presidency
promote national unity?
Do Now:
Answer the following questions in 3-4 complete sentences.
How does nationalism affect a country?
How does sectionalism affect a country?
(Remember to define both terms in your answer)
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Directions: Using the reading passage James Monroe and
the Era of Good Feelings, complete the spotlight of James
Monroe below.
What number president
was James Monroe?
What political party
was James Monroe a
part of?
What was Monroe’s
presidency referred to
as? Why do you think
this was so?
What increased during
Monroe’s presidency and
the Era of Good Feelings?
Which political party
“died” during this time?
What was the ruling in
McCulloch v. Maryland?
What was the ruling in
Gibbons v. Ogden?
Directions: Read and analyze the passage below. Complete the graphic organizer and answer the questions that follow.
The Era of Good Feelings
As nationalist feelings spread throughout the country because of the end of the War of 1812, people slowly shifted their
loyalty away from state governments and more toward the federal government. Democratic-Republican James Monroe
won the presidency in 1816 with a large majority of electoral votes, becoming the fifth President of the United States. The
Federalist Party provided little opposition to Monroe and soon disappeared. Political differences gave way to what one
Boston newspaper called the Era of Good Feelings. During this time, there was an increase of nationalism, westward
expansion, several landmark court cases, and national unity within the country.
During the Monroe administration, several landmark Supreme Court decisions promoted national unity by strengthening
the federal government. For example, in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the state of Maryland wanted to tax its branch of
the national bank. If this tax were allowed, the states could claim to have power over the federal government. The Court
upheld federal authority by ruling that a state could not tax a national bank.
Another Court decision that strengthened the federal government was Gibbons v. Ogden (1824). Two steamship operators
fought over shipping rights on the Hudson River in New York and New Jersey. The Court ruled that interstate commerce
could be regulated only by the federal government, not the state governments.
The Supreme Court under John Marshall clearly stated important powers of the federal government. A stronger federal
government reflected a growing nationalist spirit.
As you will learn, not everyone was happy during the “era of good feelings.” There were many issues that would soon divide
the country, ending this era of nationalism and patriotism.
Directions: Analyze the image below and answer the questions that follow.
Fourth of July in Centre Square, Philadelphia (1819) by John Lewis Kimmel
1) Describe what you see in this image.
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2) What types of people are in this image? What are their jobs?
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3) Do you think everyone was happy at this time? What else was going on in the country that would go
against the sentiment of an “era of good feelings?”
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Directions: Using your notes from today’s lesson, past lessons, and your knowledge of Social Studies, complete the graphic
organizer below.
Applying what I learned 
Do you believe the “Era of Good Feelings” lasted?
Why or why not?
Argue and explain your answer using relevant details from today’s lesson and your
knowledge of Social Studies.
{4-5 sentences}
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Answer Key for Teachers
(Note: Answers are up to the teacher’s discretion; these are suggested)
Do Now:
How does nationalism affect a country?
Nationalism: extreme pride in one’s country as a whole – when a country comes together and has
national unity, the government is able to get more work done for the people
How does sectionalism affect a country?
Sectionalism: loyalty to a section or part (in this case, of the country) – when a country is divided,
the government is less able to get work done for the people; it causes extreme division of people’s
beliefs and could cause extreme action
What number president was James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States
James Monroe?
What political party was
James Monroe a part of?
What was Monroe’s
presidency referred to as?
Why do you think this was
so?
James Monroe was a Democratic-Republican
Monroe’s presidency was dubbed the “Era of Good Feelings”
What increased during
Increased nationalism, westward expansion, and national unity
Monroe’s presidency and the
Era of Good Feelings?
Which political party “died”
during this time?
Federalist Party
What was the ruling in
McCulloch v. Maryland?
The Court upheld federal authority by ruling that a state could not
tax a national bank
What was the ruling in
Gibbons v. Ogden?
The Court ruled that interstate commerce could be regulated only
by the federal government, not the state governments
1) Describe what you see in this image.
Festive crowd of white soldiers, merchants and citizens, assembled at tables and under tents, while
a lone black boy runs away.
2) What types of people are in this image? What are their jobs?
Soldiers, merchants, ordinary citizens, children
3) Do you think everyone was happy at this time? What else was going on in the country that
would go against the sentiment of an “era of good feelings?”
This was also a time period of expansion, but it was certainly not positive for all citizens of the
country. Native Americans were being forced off their land. Sectionalism increased because of the
need for slavery in the south.
Events/Issues that contributed to national unity during this time period:
The Industrial Revolution, the winning of the War of 1812, Supreme Court decisions, the American
System – the increase in transportation systems such as roads, railroads and canals