President Madison’s War

Events leading to WarUS shipping was being harassed, and cargo was seized.

Britain required licenses for ships bound for EuropeFrance confiscated cargo from licensed ships

Impressment of American sailors Many British sailors became naturalized US citizens and deserted British vessels and joined American crews.British Navy kidnapped these sailors off American ships and had them rejoin the British Navy

Events Leading to WarEconomic Diplomacy Fails

Embargo Act of 1807 halted all trade with Europe

Embargo was unpopular in port cities, especially in the North

Madison becomes Pres.

Was Jefferson’s Secretary of StateWas author of 30 of the 81 the Federalist Papers (including No. 10 and No. 51)Considered the most important contributor to the ConstitutionAlso the shortest President

Marching to WarNon-Intercourse Act

Forbade trade with France and Britain; • President could reopen trade when either France or

Britain lifted restrictions

Was this successful?

War HawksSome Congressmen favored war, even though it would hurt the east (Clay, Calhoun)Why did the War Hawks want war?

John C. John C. CalhounCalhoun

Henry Henry ClayClay

Benefits of War with Britain

Allow reopening of trade

National Pride

Stop the impressment of sailors

CANADA!!!

Drawbacks to WarNot everyone in the US wanted to go to warMilitary was small

Standing Army was smallMilitia comprised most of our forces, and they did not like to fight outside of their state bordersNavy was quite small - only 16 warships

Britain was a great SuperpowerCould crush us like a bug and we could lose territory that was gained in the Treaty of Paris or the Louisiana Purchase

Declaration of WarJune of 1812 Madison asked Congress for declaration of war

Vote was split along regional lines

War started with Invasion of Canada

Early BattlesUS Burns York (now Toronto)

US figured the Canadians would welcome the Americans and quickly join the US to expel Britain from North America

• Did not happen

Perry Defeated the British on Lake ErieGave the US control of Lake Erie

Britain Blockades the Eastern SeaboardPrevented shipping from leaving

Made the war more unpopular in the Northeast

War at Sea

PrivateersOver 500

Seized over 1,300 British ships

Hurt them economically

USS Constitution

Greatest U.S. warship

More Guns

Faster

Defeated the Guerrière

Oldest commissioned ship in U.S. Navy

War in EuropeApril 1814 - Napoleon was defeated

England can concentrate on us

Aug., 1814 British land troops south of Wash. D.C.

Washington D.C.In August 1814, British Forces Sailed into Chesapeake Bay and capture Washington D.C.They burn the Executive Mansion (White House) and the CapitolMadison and Congress Barely escape

The Burnt HouseThe Burnt House

BaltimoreUnlike D.C., Baltimore was Ready for the British

Militia inflicted heavy casualties on the British

After bombarding Fort McHenry the British abandon the attack

Sept. 13, 1814

Francis Scott KeyWitnessed 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

The War ended in a stalemate

no party gained or lost any territory

The issue of impressment was not addressed

Faded out on its own

Battle of New OrleansFought after the treaty was signed

But not ratified

Why was New Orleans important?

Trade

Andrew Jackson is sent to defend the city

Had just defeated the Native AmericansPirates and Frontiersman fought alongside US troops

Gen. Jackson

New OrleansBritish land

Get within 7 miles of the city

Rodriquez Canal3,100 men

2,000 untrained, unarmed men to fill gaps

Cotton bales, wagons, etc. serve as fortifications

New Orleans

Jan. 1, 1815British open fire with cannon

Jan. 8 - British launch ground attack•Two tries were made

American victory

CasualtiesBritish

2,100 killed

500 taken prisoner

Americans7 killed

6 wounded

Results of the War

Peace Treaty does little, but…Britain never seizes our ships again

We never go after Canada again

Andrew Jackson will become a war hero and a household name• Run for President?

2nd War for Independence?

If The War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important?

Gave the United States a National IdentityWe were able to hold our own against the British

Started us thinking about continuing westward expansion

Ended bad feelings toward the British

Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the Western Frontiersmen