After depressing times such as the neutrality that Jefferson placed on America, and the war that Madison created, it is no wonder that people wanted a presidency that would remain calm and peaceful.

After depressing times such as the neutrality that Jefferson placed on America, and the war that Madison created, it is no wonder that people wanted a presidency that would remain calm and peaceful. This was the time when James Monroe was elected, and the era that he lead the country is described as the “Era of Good Feelings”. Although the “Era of Good Feelings” did start out as a tranquil, peaceful time, the country was soon struck with financial crises.
     Initially upon the beginning of Monroe’s presidency, a calm breath of air was prevalent as America was not in a war or facing foreign problems with other countries. Taking a tour in 1817, Monroe visited all of America and united the North and South in agreement that, as described by a Boston newspaper as the “Era of Good Feelings”. Taking a break from crucial economical, financial, or political turmoil, this short period of time allowed for people to relax and cool off from the hazards of the past.
     The high times of 1817 did not last long, and in 1819 America faced financial and economic troubles. With these crises “brought deflation, depression, bankruptcies, bank failures, and overcrowded pesthouses known as debtors’ prisons” (Kennedy, 243). One reason for the sudden deflation of economic stability was the fact that the National Bank “had become deeply involved in this popular type of outdoor gambling” (Kennedy, 243). The outdoor gambling referred to by Kennedy talks about the western movement occurring in the United States. With the expansion of the country, came financial questions posed such as what to do about currency, and how to deal about banks to distribute money. Due to the financial troubles the country had gotten into, the affects hit the very western banks that caused the money troubles in the first place. Also greatly affected by the financial slump were the underclass common people that had farms closed down because of the money troubles.
     The quickly short changed “Era of Good Feelings” started out as what would be described as relaxing and refreshing as opposed to the war that was at hand with Madison, and the neutrality that occurred during Jefferson’s presidency. Unfortunately once the initial happiness wore off, a huge financial problem swept through the country. This financial problem created problems in the west, and problems in the east with lower class people. The “Era of Good Feelings” was certainly the “So-Called Era of Good Feelings”.