Problems Foreign & Domestic

African Pirates American merchant ships attacked off the coast of North Africa Jefferson passed a law requiring all ships to be escorted through the Mediterranean Sea by the American Navy Americans advised to keep friendships with nations but avoid their entanglements foreign nations ▫Who first had this idea? Difficult for Americans to stay out of foreign affairs when involved so heavily with overseas trade

Britain & France still at war in 1804 American ships had neutral rights & traded with both countries ▫France seized & searched ships trading with Britain ▫Britain blocked French coasts Britain impressed American sailors to work on British ships ▫British attacked an American ship, Chesapeake, in 1807 Many demanded war HMS Leopard, attacked the Chesapeake Fighting with Britain and France

Impacting Trade Jefferson did not push for war ▫“Peaceable coercion” was his terminology Congress passed the Embargo Act ▫American ships not allowed to trade to European nations The act was a disaster ▫American farmers and merchants lost important markets for their products ▫Many lost income ▫Many violated the embargo Congress eventually repealed it

President Madison saw Britain as the greater threat ▫Interfered with shipping, impressed sailors, and resisted in the west : white settlers attacked American Indian lands in the west ▫Natives renewed trading relationships with British in Canada 1811 – General William Henry Harrison attacked American Prophetstown & proclaim a victory in the Battle of Tippecanoe Tecumseh (Indian leader) joined forces with the British War Fever

War Hawks pushed the president to ask for a declaration of war with Great Britain ▫Led by Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of S. Carolina ▫Their nationalism led to a new patriotism not seen since the Revolution Many wanted British aid to Natives to be stopped ▫Others wanted war because of what happened at sea June 1, 1812 – President James Madison asked Congress for declaration of war ▫Congress agreed ▫First time we declared war on a foreign nation Declaration of War

British-French Wars British-French Truce Napoleonic War Embargo Act War of Important Dates YearExport Value 1794$ 33 million 1801$ 94 million 1803$ 54 million 1807$ 108 million 1809$ 22 million 1812$ 61 million 1814$ 7 million Vessel Type # of Guns American Navy British Navy Ship of the Line Frigate Smaller Vessels < 248> 360 Naval Forces of the War of 1812