The Struggles of a New The Struggles of a New NationNation

Chapter 8.1Chapter 8.1

War of 1812War of 1812CausesCauses

1.1. The Chesapeake Affair (1807)The Chesapeake Affair (1807)2.2. 1811 a similar controversy had a different 1811 a similar controversy had a different

outcome for the American frigate outcome for the American frigate PresidentPresident forced the British sloop forced the British sloop Little BeltLittle Belt to strike her to strike her colors.colors.

3.3. The belief, in the west, that the British had for The belief, in the west, that the British had for some years incited the Indians to attack some years incited the Indians to attack American frontier settlements. This seemed to American frontier settlements. This seemed to be confirmed by British handguns and powder be confirmed by British handguns and powder of British origins found by William Henry of British origins found by William Henry Harrison among the effects of the Indians who Harrison among the effects of the Indians who he defeated in 1811 at Tippecanoe, and by the he defeated in 1811 at Tippecanoe, and by the flight of Indian leader Tecumseh to Canada after flight of Indian leader Tecumseh to Canada after that defeatthat defeat

Efforts to Avoid warEfforts to Avoid war1.1. Embargo Act and Non intercourse Act – Embargo Act and Non intercourse Act –

designed to keep American ships at home and designed to keep American ships at home and to secure justice from belligerents by depriving to secure justice from belligerents by depriving them of American goods. Hurts Americans morethem of American goods. Hurts Americans more

2.2. Macon’s Bill no. 2 – replaced first two, offered, Macon’s Bill no. 2 – replaced first two, offered, in case either belligerent should revoke its in case either belligerent should revoke its decrees against neutral commerce, to forbid decrees against neutral commerce, to forbid trade with the other if it did not withdraw its trade with the other if it did not withdraw its decrees within a given timedecrees within a given time

3.3. Napoleon revoked his decrees with the Napoleon revoked his decrees with the understanding that if England did not revoke its understanding that if England did not revoke its Orders in Council that the U.S. would take Orders in Council that the U.S. would take action. The British did not believe that action. The British did not believe that Napoleon had revoked his decrees and Napoleon had revoked his decrees and therefore refused to recall the Orders in Council.therefore refused to recall the Orders in Council.

The “War Hawks”The “War Hawks”Madison, threatened with the loss of Madison, threatened with the loss of renomination, was urged to take action by renomination, was urged to take action by a group of fiery young congressmen led by a group of fiery young congressmen led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the “war Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the “war hawks.”hawks.”Madison sends a strong message to Madison sends a strong message to Congress reviewing British aggression and Congress reviewing British aggression and recommending war. On June 18, 1812, recommending war. On June 18, 1812, war was declared.war was declared.Five days later the Orders in Council were Five days later the Orders in Council were revoked. The U.S. rejected the revocation revoked. The U.S. rejected the revocation and war was on.and war was on.

18121812Americans leaders expected to conquer Canada and Americans leaders expected to conquer Canada and dictate terms of peace in Quebec or Halifax.dictate terms of peace in Quebec or Halifax.Reality, the army was poorly drilled and officered and Reality, the army was poorly drilled and officered and New England strongly opposed the war.New England strongly opposed the war.These conditions brought quick disaster in the Canadian These conditions brought quick disaster in the Canadian campaign.campaign.

1.1. July 17, 1812, British and Indians seize MackinacJuly 17, 1812, British and Indians seize Mackinac2.2. August 15, 1812, the garrison of Fort Dearborn on the August 15, 1812, the garrison of Fort Dearborn on the

Chicago River abandoned the post and was ambushed by Chicago River abandoned the post and was ambushed by Indians a few miles awayIndians a few miles away

3.3. 3. August 16, 1812, General William Hull disgracefully 3. August 16, 1812, General William Hull disgracefully surrendered Detroit and more then 1000 soldierssurrendered Detroit and more then 1000 soldiers

4.4. October 13, 1812, 900 regulars were forced to surrender October 13, 1812, 900 regulars were forced to surrender at Queenston Heights near Niagara.at Queenston Heights near Niagara.

American Victories at SeaAmerican Victories at SeaDuring dismal years the Americans were cheered by the feats of During dismal years the Americans were cheered by the feats of there small navy. It had only 7 first rank frigates; but these there small navy. It had only 7 first rank frigates; but these carried 44 guns instead of the standard 38 and they had thicker carried 44 guns instead of the standard 38 and they had thicker sides. They soon proved to be far superior.sides. They soon proved to be far superior.

1.1. August 12, 1812 – the August 12, 1812 – the ConstitutionConstitution, commanded by Captain , commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, wrecked and captured the British Isaac Hull, wrecked and captured the British GuerriereGuerriere in 25 in 25 minutes of actionminutes of action

2.2. October 25, 1812 – Stephen Decatur in the October 25, 1812 – Stephen Decatur in the United StatesUnited States captured the captured the MacedoniaMacedonia in a fight that cost the British 104 in a fight that cost the British 104 causalities to the American 12causalities to the American 12

3.3. October 18, 1812 – the sloop October 18, 1812 – the sloop WaspWasp captured the British brig captured the British brig FrolicFrolic

4.4. December 29, 1812 – the December 29, 1812 – the ConstitutionConstitution under Captain William under Captain William Bainbridge shattered and captured the Bainbridge shattered and captured the JavaJava off the coast of off the coast of Brazil.Brazil.There after the British avoided ship-to-ship battles with frigates There after the British avoided ship-to-ship battles with frigates of superior strength.of superior strength.

June 1, 1813 – the British Shannon met the June 1, 1813 – the British Shannon met the Chesapeake under Captain James Lawrence of Chesapeake under Captain James Lawrence of Boston. Each ship had 38 guns, but Lawrence’s Boston. Each ship had 38 guns, but Lawrence’s crew is new and poorly trained. Lawrence was crew is new and poorly trained. Lawrence was mortally wounded. As he was carried below he mortally wounded. As he was carried below he ordered, “Don’t give up the ship!” But the ordered, “Don’t give up the ship!” But the Americans had to surrender.Americans had to surrender.Thereafter each side won naval battles but these Thereafter each side won naval battles but these did not affect the outcome of the war.did not affect the outcome of the war.A more important factor was Napoleon’s loss of A more important factor was Napoleon’s loss of his army in Russia during the winter of 1812-his army in Russia during the winter of 1812-1813. The next spring the British were free to 1813. The next spring the British were free to send a few 74-gun warships to Delaware and send a few 74-gun warships to Delaware and Chesapeake bays. Gradually Britain established a Chesapeake bays. Gradually Britain established a firm blockade along the American Atlantic coast. firm blockade along the American Atlantic coast. Curiously, the British never protected their home Curiously, the British never protected their home waters against naval raiders and privateers. waters against naval raiders and privateers. Losses sent insurance rates to 18% in the Irish Losses sent insurance rates to 18% in the Irish Sea and 33% on a voyage to North America.Sea and 33% on a voyage to North America.

Campaign’s in 1814Campaign’s in 1814In 1814 the Americans invade Canada In 1814 the Americans invade Canada over the Niagara line.over the Niagara line.

1.1. July 5, 1814 – a force of 8000 defeated July 5, 1814 – a force of 8000 defeated the British at Chippewathe British at Chippewa

2.2. July 25, 1814 – a hotly contested battle July 25, 1814 – a hotly contested battle took place at Lundy’s Lane. An American took place at Lundy’s Lane. An American charge captured the enemy artillery but charge captured the enemy artillery but in three counterattacks the British in three counterattacks the British regained it. The British lost 878 killed regained it. The British lost 878 killed and wounded; the Americans, 860. This and wounded; the Americans, 860. This was the last attempt to invade Canada.was the last attempt to invade Canada.

During the summer, the British took During the summer, the British took Eastern Maine, starting with Eastport on Eastern Maine, starting with Eastport on July 11, 1814. The wanted to provide good July 11, 1814. The wanted to provide good communication between the Maritime communication between the Maritime Provinces and Montreal and Quebec.Provinces and Montreal and Quebec.Next, the British sent 10,000 men south of Next, the British sent 10,000 men south of Montreal, supported by a small fleet on Montreal, supported by a small fleet on Lake Champlain.Lake Champlain.September 11, 1814 – an American fleet September 11, 1814 – an American fleet under Thomas Macdonough defeated the under Thomas Macdonough defeated the British on Lake Champlain. The British British on Lake Champlain. The British commander, Sir George Provost, feared to commander, Sir George Provost, feared to advance without his fleet and withdrew.advance without his fleet and withdrew.

In August Major General Robert Ross landed In August Major General Robert Ross landed 4,500 men in Maryland and moved against 4,500 men in Maryland and moved against Washington.Washington.August 24, 1814, about 6,500 militiamen faced August 24, 1814, about 6,500 militiamen faced him at Bladensburg but fled almost at first shot. him at Bladensburg but fled almost at first shot. That evening the British marched into That evening the British marched into Washington and burned the Capitol, the Washington and burned the Capitol, the president’s home, other buildings and military president’s home, other buildings and military stores.stores.After capturing Alexandria, Virginia, the invaders After capturing Alexandria, Virginia, the invaders moved against Baltimore but met stout moved against Baltimore but met stout resistance.resistance.September 13-14, 1814, a British naval September 13-14, 1814, a British naval bombardment failed to reduce Fort McHenry at bombardment failed to reduce Fort McHenry at the harbors mouth. It was during this the harbors mouth. It was during this bombardment that Francis Scott Key as inspired bombardment that Francis Scott Key as inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” After General Ross fell, the British withdrew.General Ross fell, the British withdrew.

Curious end of the warCurious end of the warNow each side was tired of war. Only few Now each side was tired of war. Only few “war hawks” still dreamed of conquering “war hawks” still dreamed of conquering Canada. Export trade was all but Canada. Export trade was all but paralyzed, and, after the British victories paralyzed, and, after the British victories over the French, Americans saw no reason over the French, Americans saw no reason to fear further British oppression at sea. to fear further British oppression at sea. The British in turn were exhausted The British in turn were exhausted financially and otherwise by the financially and otherwise by the Napoleonic struggle. They wanted peace Napoleonic struggle. They wanted peace and a chance to recover.and a chance to recover.

August 1814, peace discussion began at Ghent, August 1814, peace discussion began at Ghent, Belgium. Both sides wasted months trying to Belgium. Both sides wasted months trying to gain advantages. Finally they agree upon terms gain advantages. Finally they agree upon terms that substantially restored the status of 1812. that substantially restored the status of 1812. The peace treaty was signed on December 24, The peace treaty was signed on December 24, 1814.1814.The end came in time to stop a menacing The end came in time to stop a menacing development in New England. In December, development in New England. In December, 1814, delegates from 5 states met secretly in 1814, delegates from 5 states met secretly in Hartford, Connecticut. They prepared demands Hartford, Connecticut. They prepared demands upon the next session of Congress for upon the next session of Congress for Constitutional amendments to protect New Constitutional amendments to protect New England’s interests against the West and the England’s interests against the West and the South. The states might have threatened to South. The states might have threatened to secede from the Union if their demands were secede from the Union if their demands were ignored, but the new of peace ended the ignored, but the new of peace ended the movement.movement.

Battle of New OrleansBattle of New OrleansThe news did not come in time to stop the bloody The news did not come in time to stop the bloody Battle of New Orleans. A British force landed at Battle of New Orleans. A British force landed at Lake Borgne in December, could have taken the Lake Borgne in December, could have taken the city, but waited for reinforcements. This gave city, but waited for reinforcements. This gave General Andrew Jackson time to gather and army General Andrew Jackson time to gather and army and build defensive works.and build defensive works.January 8, 1815, the British attacked and January 8, 1815, the British attacked and Jackson’s frontier riflemen, regular army men, Jackson’s frontier riflemen, regular army men, and two battalions of black soldiers mowed then and two battalions of black soldiers mowed then down. The British commander Pakenham was down. The British commander Pakenham was killed, and the survivors took to their ships. They killed, and the survivors took to their ships. They left more then 2,200 killed, wounded, and left more then 2,200 killed, wounded, and prisoners. The American losses were 45.prisoners. The American losses were 45.

ResultsResultsThe war cost America about 200 million The war cost America about 200 million dollars. A total of 2, 260 American sailors dollars. A total of 2, 260 American sailors and soldiers were killed. Neither the U.S. and soldiers were killed. Neither the U.S. or Great Britain gained any military or Great Britain gained any military advantage. Indirectly, the U.S. made advantage. Indirectly, the U.S. made some gains:some gains:

1.1. In the West the British were no longer In the West the British were no longer able to check the forward movement of able to check the forward movement of American settlers, their influence over the American settlers, their influence over the Indians had been broken.Indians had been broken.

2.2. In the South, Andrew Jackson’s defeat of In the South, Andrew Jackson’s defeat of British allies, the Creek Indians, opened British allies, the Creek Indians, opened up a vast area in Georgia and Alabama for up a vast area in Georgia and Alabama for settlement.settlement.