One should hope that the political transition in the early nineteenth century will be a model for transitioning out of the current American political mess. Hope, but not expect. Some beneficial circumstances facilitated the transition that took place in the years after the War of 1812. The widespread perception that the war was a win—a perception aided by Andrew Jackson’s smashing victory at New Orleans in the war’s last major battle—led to a wave of shared national pride and patriotism. The Whigs would emerge as the political opposition to the Democrats only after the Era of Good Feelings, the period in U.S. history when Americans were least divided. President James Monroe toured even the previously restive Federalist stronghold of New England amid friendship and harmony, and he was essentially unopposed when re-elected in 1820. 

The current era of bad feelings is, of course, much different. The suggestion that widespread abhorrence over the attack on the Capitol will help Biden to unify the country may be overly optimistic. The nation’s divisions, and the underlying lies and animosity, will be fed by media unknown in Monroe’s time.

Paul Pillar retired in 2005 from a twenty-eight-year career in the U.S. intelligence community, in which his last position was National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia. Earlier he served in a variety of analytical and managerial positions, including as chief of analytic units at the CIA covering portions of the Near East, the Persian Gulf, and South Asia. Professor Pillar also served in the National Intelligence Council as one of the original members of its Analytic Group. He is also a contributing editor for the National Interest.