The War of 1812 Chapter 10 Section 3

Dealing with other Nations ► The US was involved in Trade all over the world.  This made it very difficult to stay out of the foreign affairs of other nations  From the US was at war with Tripoli ► Cause – American merchant ships were being attacked by Barbary pirates from Tripoli.  War broke out between France and Great Britain ► The US was the leading trading partner with both Counties ► The British captured any ship bound for France ► The French captured any ship bound for Great Britain

The Path to War ► From 1803 – 1812 the British impressed (or kidnapped) about 6000 American merchant sailors to serve on British Naval Ships.  Reason life was so bad in the British Navy most Englishmen refused to enlist or often deserted. Peaceable coercion – and friendship with all “entangling alliances with none” ► To stop the seizing of ships and the impressment of sailors congress passed the Embargo Act of ► This Forbade US ships from sailing to Foreign ports.  This harmed the US more than France or Britain.  Americans lost markets for their products  Shippers lost income and often violated the law  In 1809 James Madison became President and had the law changed to allow trade with anyone but France and Britain it did not help

Tecumseh and Native American Unity ► It was believed that the British were trying to stop US expansion.  By stirring up trouble in the Northwest Territory.  The Miami, Delaware and Potawatomi tribe sold 3 million acres  Tecumseh a Shawnee chief vowed to stop US this expansion. ► He tried to Unite all the tribes but was defeated at the Battle of Tippecanoe by William Henry Harrison  Tecumseh fled to Canada and was welcomed by the British ► This increased anti-British feelings in the Western US

War Hawks ► In 1812 more and more Americans (especially from the Western regions) were calling for war.  Reason the British role in Native American resistance and the Impressment of its citizens on the high seas.  Northeastern Merchants with business relationships with Britain were less supportive of War.  In an effort though to make Americans feel that their country could protect them, President Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britian.

The 1 st Phase of the War ► Occupied by their War with France, Britain basically ignored its war with the US between  The British did Blockade the American Coast.  The Democratic-Republicans had reduced the size of the US Military. ► The Navy only had 16 ships but did have several early victories  September 1813 Oliver Hazard Perry was able to defeat a British Fleet on Lake Erie “We have met the enemy and they are ours”  October 1813 General Harrison defeated the British at the Battle of the Thames securing the Northwest and killed Tecumseh in the Battle.

The 2 nd Phase of the War ► The British finally defeated Napoleon in April 1814 ► The British were able to focus on the US attacked and burned the Capital and the White House.  James Madison only President to be an active participant in a battle.  Dolly Madison saves many artifacts from the White House  Francis Scott Key writes the “Star Spangled Banner” at the British defeat at the Battle of Fort McHenry ► The US stops the advance of the British from Canada by winning the Battle of Lake Champlain in September of 1814.

The Battle of New Orleans ► The British move strategically to capture the Port of New Orleans in December 1814 ► The Americans were commanded by General Andrew Jackson ► It was one of the greatest victories in US History  US casualties 71, British casualties 2000 ► But it was Fought 2 weeks after the Treaty of Ghent (ending the War of 1812) was signed.

The Legacy of the War ► The War of 1812 ended in a tie  No territory changed hands  Trade disputes were left unresolved  Neither side made any significant gain ► Consequences for the United States 1.Victories such as those of Jackson and Perry increased American Patriotism 2.Native American resistance was significantly weakened ► Especially in the South 3.With the British Blockade it increased American Manufacturing 4.It increased optimism and confidence in the US future.