Explain what happened to the First Party System (Federalist vs Democratic- Republicans) after the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 effectively marked the end of the First Party System in the United States. While the Federalist Party had been declining in popularity before the war, their opposition to the war, culminating in the Hartford Convention, essentially dealt them a death blow. Let's break down the key factors:<br /><br />* **The Hartford Convention (1814-1815):** New England Federalists, opposed to the war and its economic impact on their region, met to discuss their grievances and potential courses of action, including secession. Though more moderate voices prevailed and secession was not formally proposed, the mere discussion of such a radical step during wartime cast a dark shadow over the Federalists. They were perceived as unpatriotic and disloyal.<br /><br />* **The "Era of Good Feelings":** Following the war, a sense of national unity and purpose emerged. James Monroe, a Democratic-Republican, won the presidency in 1816 with little opposition. The Federalist Party faded into obscurity, and for a brief period, there was effectively only one major political party. This period is often referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings," though the name somewhat masks underlying tensions that would soon lead to new party divisions.<br /><br />* **Shifting Issues:** The issues that had defined the Federalist-Democratic-Republican divide, such as the balance of power between the federal government and the states, and the interpretation of the Constitution, became less relevant in the postwar period. New issues, like westward expansion, internal improvements, and the growing debate over slavery, began to shape the political landscape.<br /><br />* **Rise of Factionalism within the Democratic-Republicans:** With the Federalists gone, the Democratic-Republican Party began to fracture along new lines. Different factions emerged, vying for power and influence. This internal struggle would eventually lead to the development of the Second Party System in the 1820s, with the emergence of the Democrats and the Whigs.<br /><br />In summary, the War of 1812 significantly weakened the already declining Federalist Party, ultimately leading to its demise. The perception of disloyalty stemming from the Hartford Convention, coupled with a surge in national unity and the emergence of new political issues, created an environment in which the First Party System could no longer function. The "Era of Good Feelings" that followed was a period of one-party dominance, but it also masked the growing factionalism within the Democratic-Republicans that would eventually give rise to a new party system.<br />