The War of 1812 (1809-1815)

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Hartford Convention (1814)

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Summary Hartford Convention (1814)

The Hartford Convention was the end of the Federalists. Although not actually treasonous, the Convention appeared treasonous to many Americans. Thus tainted, the Democratic-Republican candidate, James Monroe, trounced the Federalist Rufus King in the presidential election of 1816. The Federalist Party evaporated, and the political alignment of the 19th century came into shape, as the Democratic-Republicanss split into the northern-dominated Republicans and the southern-dominated Democrats.

Although usually over-blown, the minority secessionist group at the Hartford convention did help set a precedent for later secessionists. Although many in 1814 and 1815 sharply criticized the Federalists, no one yet argued against the principle of States' Rights. These arguments, first made at the Hartford Convention in 1814, would be repeated in the 1850s, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

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