The War of 1812
What are some major events leading to the War of 1812?
U.S. shipping was being harassed, cargo was seized.
Britain required licenses for ships bound for EuropeFrance confiscated cargo from licensed ships
Impressment of American sailors British Navy kidnapped sailors off American ships and had them join the British Navy
What are some major events leading to the War of 1812?
Economic Diplomacy Fails
Embargo Act of 1807 halted all trade with EuropeEmbargo was unpopular in port cities, especially in the North
Farewell JeffersonEnter James Madison
Jefferson did not want to run for 3rd termMadison was Jefferson’s Secretary of State
Madison was an author of 30 of the 81 the Federalist Papers Considered the most important contributor to the ConstitutionShortest President
Why was it odd that Jefferson chose Madison as his Secretary of State?
Madison’s role leading up to the War of 1812?
Non-Intercourse ActForbade trade with France and Britain;
President could reopen trade
Do you think this would be successful?
War HawksSouthern Congressmen favored war with Britain, even though it hurt the North
Why do you think the War Hawks want war?
Benefits of war with Britain?
Reopening of trade
National Pride
Stop the impressment of sailors
CANADA
Drawbacks to going to war?
Not everyone wanted to go to war
Military was smallArmy made up mostly of state militias; did not like to fight outside of their state
Navy was small - only 22 ships
Britain was a great military superpower and, on paper, could crush us like a bug
Could lose territory
Native Populations Before the War
Natives could either become farmers and join White society or move west of the Mississippi
One Native American leader, Tecumseh, taught his followers to reject White culture and allied with the British
1811: The Battle of Tippecanoe - U.S. forces attacked Tecumseh’s settlements, burning them to the ground.
Declaration of War
June, 1812: Madison asked Congress for declaration of war
Vote was split along regional lines
War started with invasion of Canada
War Begins!
August 1812: USS Constitution sank the British Guerriere
The naval war moved into the Great Lakes and the US wins the Battle of Lake Erie
Americans made several unsuccessful attempts at invading Canada
Tennessee militia leader Andrew Jackson led a force against the Creeks (Native tribe) at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Women, children, and warriors were massacred
The Roof is on Fire…August 1814: British forces sailed into Chesapeake Bay, captured Washington D.C.Burn the White House and the CapitolMadison and Congress barely escapeDolly Madison famously saves the portrait of George Washington
Oh Say Can You See…Unlike D.C., Baltimore was ready for the BritishCity militia inflicted heavy casualties on the BritishAfter bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, British abandon the attackFrancis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment and penned a poem which becomes the National Anthem.
Treaty of GhentTreaty was negotiated in Europe Signed on Dec. 24, 1814 ending the war of 1812The War ended in a stalemate, no one gained or lost any territory The issue of impressment was not addressed, but faded on its own
Battle of New Orleans
Fought after the treaty was signed (but not ratified)
Pirates and frontiersman fought alongside U.S. troops
Made Andrew Jackson a national hero and household name
Ensured treaty ratification
If the War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important?
Gave the United States a national identityAble to hold their own against the British
Started thinking about continuing westward expansion
Ended bad feelings toward the British
Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the western frontiersmen