How New England’s Federalists Regarded the Rest of the United States

Federalists and other New Englanders considered themselves exceptional.  They claimed superiority over other American regions, especially the South.  Their claims were based on religion. A writer for the Columbian Centinel in Boston explained:

“The God of nature, in his infinite goodness has made the people of New England to excel every other people that ever existed in the world” [1]

                                                                   “Warren”, Columbian Centinel

New Englanders considered themselves exceptional because of their Puritan heritage.  New England’s founders had established a unique society based on religious beliefs.

New England, in contrast to the South, was a region of yeoman farmers.  They prided themselves on their work ethic.   Caleb Strong, a prominent Massachusetts Federalist, wrote:

“…with the labor of their own hands, –with the sweat of their own brows…And by this their habitual mode of hardy industry, they acquire a vigor of nerve, a strength of muscle & a spirit & intelligence somewhat characteristic.”[2]

                                                          Caleb Strong, Massachusetts Federalist 

By 1800, Massachusetts Federalists were losing ground to the Democratic-Republicans expanding in the South and into the West.  Southern slaveholders were moving westward into Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase.   New England’s Federalists were losing the balance of power in the House of Representatives.   New Englanders were concerned that Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans were heedless of the nation as a whole.   They feared the new party ignored New England’s interests.[3]

 Next:  How New England’s Federalists Regarded the Rest of the United States (continued)

Look for it Monday, December 23