The War of 1812 Objective 1.03

Objective 1.03 Assess commercial and diplomatic relationships with Great Britain, France, and other nations.

The failure of peaceful coercion Why was the U.S. worried about being drawn into war? Great Britain and France were fighting the Napoleonic Wars. Both sides interfere with American shipping American answer?

Embargo Act of 1807 Jefferson and Dem.-Republicans stop trade with all other nations Why? Peaceful coercion – hoped that British and French would begin respecting American neutral shipping rights. Prevent further violations of U.S. honor.

Did the Embargo Act work? NO!!! Hurt New England trade. Replaced in 1809 with Non-Intercourse Act – prohibited trade with just Great Britain and France. PEACEFUL COERCION FAILS!

L. Madison’s Gamble Non-Intercourse Act expired in 1810 Congress’s Plan (Macon’s Bill No. 2) Introduced to GB & France- you take away your trade restrictions, US would reinstate embargo against other country Napoleon took deal- no intention of honoring it Britain didn’t offer to lift restrictions, & Madison had to reinstate the embargo against them

What were the British (and French) doing to interfere with American shipping? Stopping ships and drafting American sailors into the British navy – “looking for deserters” Called Impressment

Who was ready to fight? War Hawks – Congressmen from the South and West were spoiling for a fight with Great Britain. Why? They wanted to assert American maritime and commercial sovereignty Also accused British of inciting Indian attacks. Led by Henry Clay (KY) and John C. Calhoun (SC)

Who Wanted War?

War Hawks’ hidden motive… EXPANSION!! Thought that war with Great Britain would bring possible conquest of Canada, Florida, and Texas.

Who didn’t want war? New England Federalists Would hurt their economy

“Mr. Madison’s War”

Madison’s reluctant call for war H of R – 79 to 49 Senate – 19 to 13 Every Federalist opposed 80% of Republicans supported 1) protest British Orders in Council 2) stop British impressments of sailors 3) end British encouragement of Indian attacks on frontier TJ – stop Indian barbarities, conquest of Canada will do this

Asked for & received declaration of war in 1812 w/ a close vote Split on sectional & partisan lines Feds. & Northerners didn’t want war Didn’t like France Didn’t want more agrarian states from Canada

U.S. declares war June 18, 1812 American strategy: Invade Canada

America loses often in first year Defeated at Detroit, on the Niagara frontier, and near Lake Champlain U.S. does well in naval engagements Constitution

American Heroes of the War Oliver Hazzard Perry Battle of Lake Erie William Henry Harrison Battle of the Thames (and Tippecanoe) Andrew Jackson Battle of New Orleans (after war was over)

Tecumseh and the Prophet T & P- Shawnee brothers ready to fight white settlers 1811- General William Henry Harrison- Battle of Tippecanoe Defeated Prophet & became war hero Pushed Tecumseh into alliance w/ British

Election of 1812

Washington Burns 1814 – British occupy Washington – James Madison, his wife, and Congress forced to flee

Fort McHenry Soon after burning Washington, British forces headed for Baltimore Defended by Fort McHenry Francis Scott Key writes “Defence of Fort McHenry” while watching the bombardment of the fort from a British ship (Sept. 13-14, 1814) Becomes “Star-Spangled Banner” – becomes National Anthem in 1931

American morale? Sinks after burning of Washington, Boosts with victory on Lake Champlain

Hartford Convention (1814) Secret meeting of New England Federalists Some delegates urged secession Convention hoped to increase states’ autonomy – Federalists? States’ Rights? Isn’t this Democratic-Republican? Made irrelevant by the end of the war Spelled doom for the Federalist party

Peace negotiations Discussed peace at Ghent, in Belgium Treaty of Ghent signed on December 24, 1814 Mutual restoration of captured territory Basically, no change

Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815 – Andrew Jackson’s troops soundly defeated the British. Why after the peace treaty?

Factors leading to the decline of the Federalist Party Alien and Sedition Acts Refusal to involve in campaigns directed towards common man Louisiana Purchase and westward expansion opens land for farmers (Dem.-Repub. Supporters) Hartford Convention – Federalists discuss separate peace with England

Causes of the War of 1812 British aid to Native American resistance of US British violate U.S. shipping rights (impressment, etc) “War Hawks” urge war with Great Britain Effect: Treaty of Ghent brings peace – doesn’t really change anything or address issues