The Road To War

Talk about miscommunication…. August 1810 William Henry Harrison, Governor of the Indiana Territory, meets with Chief Tecumseh with 30 members of the Shawnee nation looking on.

Harrison’s Assistant says to Tecumseh, “You father requests you sit by his side” What do you think Harrison’s assistant meant by this? What did Tecumseh feel it meant?

What Tecumseh thinks…. “My Father! The Great Spirit is my Father!…The earth is my mother…Houses are made for white men to hold councils in. Indians hold theirs in open air.”

Tecumseh Wants to Push Back Settlers Remember almost one million settlers moved West of Appalachians by 1810. Many conflicts broke out between American Indians and the settlers. Treaties were made between the United States and the Indians, many times ignored.

Treaty Of Greenville Made in 1795 between Miamis and other Indian Nations with the United States They gave up land that we call Ohio now and in return, they received $20,000 and promise of more money as long as there was peace.

Tecumseh’s Confederation Ohio became a state in 1803 Settlers kept moving west into Indiana Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa (the Prophet) vow to keep settlers out.

In 1808, The Prophet builds a village for his followers along the Tippecanoe Creek in the Indiana Territory. Tecumseh organizes Indians into a confederation or league.

Conflicts Between Settlers and American Indians

Showdown at Tippecanoe In 1811, Harrison marched 1,000 soldiers against Prophetstown while Tecumseh was away. The Prophet led a surprise night attack against the troops. Both sides suffer heavy losses in this battle called “Battle of Tippecanoe.”

Results Harrison’s forcers defeated The Prophet’s forces and destroyed Prophetstown. Fighting with American Indians hurt relations between US and Britain. British were supplying guns and ammunition to Indians and encouraging them to attack US settlements.

War hawks call for war Madison did not want war. Members of Congress from West and South (all but New England states) called for war. Nationalism-a devotion to one’s country is what stirred the War Hawks.

Reasons to go to war United States could seize Florida from British ally Spain Britain arming American Indians Britain seizing American ships Canada

Congress Declares War British warships blockade American ports to stop trade with France. June, 1812 Madison asks Congress to declare war.

War of 1812 Britain was already in bitter fight with Napoleon At the same time US was unprepared for war.

What did Jefferson do to the federal government including Defense when he became President?

Problems US had The United States Navy had only 16 ships. The British had a huge fleet. The United States Army was small and ill equipped. Many officers knew little about warfare. The government relied on volunteers, who were poorly trained and had little experience in battle. Many deserted.

USS Constitution In August 1812, USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, win a battle with HMS Guerriere off the coast of Newfoundland

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/140286/war-1812-bicentennial-uss-constitution#.U2cQLxzP-tA

War in the West War Hawks wanted to conquer Canada General William Hull moved American troops from Detroit into Canada. Canada had only a few troops led by British General Isaac Brock

He parades his soldiers in red coats..Why? How Does Brock Win? He parades his soldiers in red coats..Why? He also leads Americans to believe a large number of Indians were fighting.

Battle of Lake Erie 1813, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry built own ships and sailed his tiny fleet against the British After losing his own ship, he moves to another ship and Americans win battle. “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/140177/war-1812-war-home#.UYyA4xzP-58

Tecumseh is Killed The British and their ally Tecumseh retreat from Detroit into Canada. General William Henry Harrison pursue them. Tecumseh died in the Battle of the Thames. Indian Confederation falls apart.

Another Future President Gets Involved Andrew Jackson leads American troops in the Creek War. With the help of the Cherokees, Jackson wins a victory at Battle of Horseshoe Bend. “Your people have destroyed my nation”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=havVF8kObo4

British Burn Washington August 1814 British came in from the Chesapeake Bay They marched to capital Dolly Madison gathered up papers and Washington’s portrait before leaving White House

Fort McHenry From Washington, British march north toward Baltimore. Fort McHenry key to Baltimore defense September 13-14, 1814, British bombard harbor Francis Scott Key watched and wrote Star Spangled Banner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnRQ8-MMX28

Battle of New Orleans Britain prepared to attack New Orleans in late 1814. They hoped to sail up Mississippi Andrew Jackson waiting Jackson had help from Choctaw Indians, and citizens of New Orleans including hundreds of African Americans

We win Battle after War is over American soldiers dug trenches. On January 8, 1815, Britain attacked. More than 2,000 British soldiers died. Only seven americans died. Andrew Jackson becomes hero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RYXYxlLKVw

The United States and Great Britain signed a treaty two weeks before the battle of New Orleans, ending the war.

New Englanders Protest War The British blockade hurt New England’s sea trade. New Englanders feared that the United States might win land in Florida and Canada, which would become new states. That would make the South and the West more influential than New England.

Delegates from New England states met at the Hartford Convention, in Hartford, Connecticut. They threatened to leave the Union if the war continued. While the Hartford Convention was still meeting, news of a peace treaty arrived.

TREATY OF GHENT The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812. It was named after the city in Belgium where it was signed. In the treaty, Britain and the United States agreed to go back to the way things were before the war.

Treaty of Ghent John Quincy Adams – American delegate helped negotiate treaty He summed up the treaty - “Nothing was adjusted, nothing was settled.” Britain and US restored pre-war conditions Treaty did not deal with issues of impressment or neutrality No land was gained/lost