Dbq Sectionalism

During the antebellum period of the United States, the era of Good Feelings brought about a heightened sense of nationalism caused by the victories in the War of 1812. In addition, the Erie Canal, finished in 1825, led to an increase in domestic trade and a more efficient means of transportation. These movements created a stronger country with an economy that could support itself financially. These new ideas also expanded domestic trade and transportation movements. Socially, the growing nationalism and the expansion of the country kept the states content; however, the Missouri Compromise in 1820 re-surfaced the continuing issue of slavery, and how the governing body should deal with it, creating sectionalism within the states. Economically,

Movements such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 that nearly double the size of the United States and created many new opportunities for settlement, created a win for the United States and gave them something more to be proud of. In addition, the Rush-Bagot Agreement in 1817, stating that Britain had strict limits on their navy in the Great Lakes, created a major boost in the confidence of the citizens because they had power over Britain. The main reason for continuity was a boost in the confidence creating nationalism in the United States. In contrast, the citizens also faced the struggle of growing sectionalism. In 1820, the Missouri Compromise re-surfaced the issues of slavery by spreading the debate of whether Missouri should enter the U.S as a free state or a slave state. Also, the Bank War in 1832, which was President Andrew Jackson vetoing a bill for the renewal of the charter for the Bank of the United States (leading to its expiration in 1836), caused a separation and debate between those who favored the Bank of the United States and those who supported Jackson and wanted it gone. These changes were caused by a difference in the opinions of the citizens. Additionally, the federal government was still fairly new and was still testing what the could do and what was going too far, causing even more

The early Transportation Revolution had a lot to do with this. The Transportation Revolution was a series of transportation innovations that linked local and regional markets, creating a national economy. New inventions such as the steam boat, perfected by Robert Fulton in 1807, created a major boost in domestic trade; this majorly implemented the economy. Also, the Lowell factory system created a way of employment in women and children, helping households by having another source of income, and helping the economy by providing a fairly cheap way to get more factory-made goods that were in high demand. The reason for this continuity is the way these movements created a more stable economy for the country. However, the means of travel kept changing. the first major movement in the way of transportation was the Cumberland Road in 1811. It was the first great federal transportation project and a vital highway to the west; it caused western cities to grow and flourish and increased the land value along the road. Even this major advancement was small. the best way of transportation kept changing and improving, until they hit a stop when they started using railroads.The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Company in 1828 was the first company to prove that railroads were profitable and practical. The railroads were a major advancement in the United States. The reason for these changes