Meeting With Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison Harrison warned Tecumseh that the U.S. had many more warriors than the Native Americans. Tecumseh met with Harrison in person and other Americans there and said this:

Tecumseh “Brothers: Since the peace was made, you have killed some Shawnee, Winnebagoes, Delawares, & Miamis; and you have taken our land from us; I do not see how we can remain at peace if you continue to do so. You try to force the red people to do some injury; it is you who is pushing them on to mischief. You try to keep the tribes apart, & make distinctions among them. You wish to prevent the Indians from uniting.”

Battle of Tippecanoe In 1811 while Tecumseh was in the South trying to expand his confederacy, Harrison decided to attack Prophetstown on the Tippecanoe River.

Battle of Tippecanoe After 2 hours of battle, the Prophets forces fled In defeat. The Battle of Tippecanoe was declared a glorious win for the Americans. This victory resulted in something Americans did not want.

Battle of Tippecanoe Tecumseh now joined forces with the British. Settlers in the area claimed the British supplied the Indians with guns. As a result the rallying cry of the settlers became. “On to Canada!”

War Hawks President Madison faced demands for a more aggressive policy with Britain. The most insistent was the Warhawks, Republicans coming from the South and the West.

War Hawks The War Hawks wanted to avenge British actions against Americans. The War Hawks also wanted to expand America’s power. Their nationalism- loyalty to their country- appealed to a renewed sense of patriotism.

War Hawks Leaders of the War Hawks were Henry Clay (KY) & John Calhoun (SC). Westerners wanted to move into the fertile lands of Southern Canada. A war with Britain could make that land available.

War Hawks Southerners wanted the land in Spanish Florida. The war Hawks encouraged military spending, & through their efforts the army quadrupled in size. The Federalists in the North however remained opposed to war. P. 4

War is Declared By the spring of 1812, Madison concluded war was inevitable with Britain. 1 June 1812, Madison asked for a declaration of war. In the meantime, the British decided to end their policy of search & seizure of American ships.

War is Declared Because of the length of time it took news to cross the Atlantic, this change in policy by the British was not known in Washington. The war machine was in motion & could not be stopped.