The Road to War: Renewed Conflict with England & France

The Embargo of 1807 When England & France resumed war in 1803 & violated U.S. neutrality, Jefferson approved the unpopular Embargo of 1807 To enforce the embargo, Jefferson contradicted his principles of individual liberty & weak gov’t: He mobilized the military to enforce the blockade He declared regions of NY (near Canada) in a state of insurrection 19

The Embargo of 1807 “Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power.”—TJ For 15 months the embargo proved ineffective; Congress repealed the embargo in 1809 Jefferson’s decision to not run for a third term meant that these problems fell to his hand-picked successor, James Madison In 1808, Madison was elected president & the Republicans maintained control of the gov’t The embargo gained no political concessions from France or Britain But it produced economic hardship, smuggling, & political dissent in America just 3 days before Jefferson left office In effect for 15 months,. But it had produced economic hardship, evasion of the law, and political dissension at home. : Congress repealed the embargo just 3 days after Jefferson left office

The Road to the War of 1812 The focus of Madison’s presidency was foreign policy: In 1809, the Non-Intercourse Act promised the U.S. would resume trade with England & France once U.S. neutrality is respected In 1810, Congress replaced this with Macon’s Bill #2 offering exclusive trade to whichever nation 1st honored U.S. neutrality …but England continued to seize U.S. ships Madison eagerly reopened trade with England France agreed to end all trade restrictions (but never stopped seizing ships or impressing sailors) 21

Which region would have supported a declaration of war the most? Patriotism surged as War Hawks claimed the War of 1812 the “Second American Revolution” Madison eventually gave in & asked Congress for a declaration of war in June 1812 Americans in the West & South wanted war to gain Canada & Spanish Florida NE Federalists thought war with Britain as a mistake: they feared the U.S. could not defeat England & a war would bankrupt the country Most calls for war centered on British interference with U.S. trade rights. “Free Trade & Sailors' Rights” was a popular battle cry By 1810, War Hawks in Congress, led by Henry Clay (KY) & John C. Calhoun (SC), demanded war with England 23

The War of 1812

The U.S. did not fare well against the better-trained British troops War of 1812 The U.S. did not fare well against the better-trained British troops Despite increased patriotism, the U.S. was unprepared for war: Congress refused to raise taxes The army was small & state militias were inadequate The government was incapable of directing a full-scale war The U.S. goal for the war was to attack British Canada & force England to respect U.S. rights The U.S. navy was a little more successful but only because the bulk of British navy was still fighting Napoleon in Europe 24

In 1814, the British took the offensive in a 3-pronged attack The American army under Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New Orleans (after a peace treaty was drawn up ending the war) The War of 1812 In 1814, the British took the offensive in a 3-pronged attack British were turned back at Plattsburg on Lake Champlain & gave up their Canadian offensive The British attacked the undefended Chesapeake & burned Washington, DC & laid siege to Baltimore

Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland

Hartford Convention The War of 1812 is still going on!! In order to reduce southern control of Congress Federalists opposed the war by not paying taxes or sending troops In 1814, Federalists met at the Hartford Convention to discuss altering the U.S. Constitution to: restrict Congress’ war powers supported a one-term president abolish the three-fifths clause They discussed seceding from the USA if they did not get their way In order to break the Virginia presidential dynasty 26

Spain ceded Florida to the USA Treaty of Ghent Treaty of Ghent ended the war, but did not address U.S. neutrality Effects of the War of 1812: Ended all Indian-British alliances in western lands Scared Spain into signing the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 The lack of Federalist loyalty was the fatal blow to the party Spain ceded Florida to the USA 27

Discussion Questions To what extent was the War of 1812 a “second American Revolution”? Which treaty was more significant in U.S. history: Jay’s Treaty (1794) OR the Treaty of Ghent (1814)? Explain Which president was more successful: John Adams or James Madison? Explain.