Both sectionalism and nationalism are very prevalent in American history. James Monroe and John Adams, both previous political figures of the United States, are nationalists. What is sectionalism and nationalism? Sectionalism is the placing of the interests of one's own region ahead of the interests of the nation as a whole. Nationalism is the ideology that national interests come before regional and foreign concerns. Monroe takes pride in America, saying, “If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.” Adams is also nationalist, but is wary of the sectionalism taking place, saying, “I take it for granted that the present question is …show more content…
There was already an equal balance of slave states and free states, so there was a debate on what Missouri would be. Northerners and Southerners fought over it, so Henry Clay made the Missouri Compromise. With this, Maine would be admitted as a free state and Missouri a slave state. The 36° 30’N line, or the Mason Dixon line, was set as a division of where slavery is legal and illegal. This heated argument over slavery is what supports the worrisome tone in John Adams’ alarming quote. The compromise only temporarily withheld the issue of slavery, as can be seen from the future civil war. Although John C. Calhoun was one of those who encouraged the Tariff of 1816 in the South, he ended up calling it the Tariff of Abominations. He proposed the nullification theory, which raised the question: “Can federal laws be forced upon states?” Calhoun argued the Constitution is a contract among the states, and that if a state feels a law is unconstitutional they should have the right to reject it. If the state cannot reject the law, the government is tyrannical. Southern states use the nullification theory for cessation. Tensions start to grow in