Chapter 3, Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3 continues the story of the rapid American expansion to strengthen their growing capitalist market and the potential of growing so wealthy as to become a world power; only the characters of the story change in fundamental ways. First, as Madison leaves office, he is replaced by James Monroe. However, Monroe continues the National Republican ambiguity between farming and commercial interests. However, by this time, the farming, "civil" peoples who oppose the rapacious commercialism of New England manufacturing are on the decline.

National Republicanism reigns supreme with the National Bank of the United States in control of the money supply. Henry Clay increases his political power and becomes Speaker of the House and pushes constantly for internal improvements, tariffs to strengthen national manufacturing interests and extension of subsidies into the American heartland to expand the American market nationwide. John C. Calhoun...