What caused the War of 1812 and what exactly happened, anyway? “Mr. Madison’s War”

Causes British navy seizing American ships and impressing American sailors (forcing sailors into the British navy) Americans pressing for more land in the west blamed the British in the west for instigating a Native American rebellion and providing aid to Tecumseh, leader of a Native American movement to form a confederacy in the west. War Hawks: young Republicans in Congress who were eager to go to war with Britain. Led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun Argued that war with Britain would defend American honor, gain Canada, and destroy Native American resistance on the frontier

Opposition to War Congress and the people of the US were divided about going to war New York, New Jersey, and New England states voted against going to war New England merchants, Federalist politicians, and “Quids” (old Republicans) were the most vocal about their opposition to the war

Notable Battles Battle of New Orleans Summer of 1814 In Late 1812, US warship Constitution (Old Ironsides) sank a British ship off of Nova Scotia British merchant ships captured British navy blockaded US coast, crippled trading and fishing Summer of 1814 British burned the White House British did NOT capture Baltimore because Fort McHenry held out (Star Spangled Banner) Battle of New Orleans Took place after the peace treaty British troops fail to control Mississippi River=American victory troops led by Andrew Jackson = war hero

Why was the War of 1812 significant Why was the War of 1812 significant? How did it impact the United States? Impacts of the War of 1812 Complete the Do Now…this is being COLLECTED and GRADED! Use your notes to help you! Write down the above question on your new notes sheet

Treaty of Ghent American peace commissioners and British diplomats met in Ghent, Belgium to discuss terms of peace on Christmas eve, 1814 Halt to fighting Return of all conquered territory to prewar owners/claimants Recognition of prewar boundary between Canada and the US.

Hartford Convention New England almost seceded from the Union because of their opposition to the war and the Republican government in Washington Special convention held in Hartford, Connecticut in December of 1814 to decide the issue of secession Did not vote to secede, but called for a 2/3 vote of both houses for any future declaration of war After the convention, victory at New Orleans ended criticism of war and labeled Federalists as “unpatriotic”

Consequences of the War of 1812 US survived 2 wars with Britain = international respect US accepts Canada as a neighbor and part of the British empire Federalist party came to an end as a national force Talk of nullification and secession in New England set a precedent that would later be used by the South Native Americans in the west forced to surrender large areas of land to white settlement Naval blockade during the war forced the US to develop own factories, moved toward self-sufficiency War heroes emerged: Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison Strong US nationalism…Americans began looking west for the future of the country and away from Europe