The years after the War of 1812 were dubbed the “Era of Good Feelings,” by many historians because numerous debates over issues such as foreign diplomacy and policy seemingly dissolved, and were replaced with positive nationalist fervor and multiple compromises, that, however sectionalist in nature, satisfied both the north and the south. America still faced difficulties – but while continuing to move forward. With economic proliferation, political stabilization, and social prosperity, the time between 1815 and1825 ushered in countless new ideas that highlighted American greatest like never before. During this time of “good feelings,” it is doubtless that Americans did not have problems. Many Americans hated the War of 1812, and what had come of it. President James Madison called the war a complete and utter mistake. However, patriotic acts of certain key players, such as General Andrew Johnson at the Battle of New Orleans, kept the spirit alive. Patriotism negated disputes regarding sectionalism and allowed the government to work to its full capacity, thereby making the nation itself a more prosperous and content place, as shown in Documents C. On the other hand, this new-found patriotism just buried the problems that plagued America. “... [it] will never be obliterated; and every new irritation will mark it deeper and deeper,” as stated by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to John Randolph in April of 1820. The country would continue to prosper, while eventually having to come to terms with certain issues. However, with this idea of patriotic union, the country was able to progress and build itself up in ways that benefited the people. With the growth of the country's borders, there grew a new need to connect each section of the country. “Let us, then, bind the republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space.” (Document B) With this in mind, Congress set forth to build up the country without laying a large burden on the people, as said by John Randolph in his address to Congress in 1816. (Document A) By doing this, Congress tried to get people to move out West, out of the densely populated areas of the Eastern cities. (Document E) With this, the country could now take advantage of each of the section's resources. Each section could play of the others' strengths, and prosper as one, despite each of the section's problems. However, while this “internal work” was being done, we neglected on many matters of foreign policy that did not include our interests, as expressed by John
