The Second War for American Independence The War Of 1812

Causes of the War France and Britain were at War Both France and Britain “impressed” American sailors Impressment - seizing Americans at sea and drafting them into their navy “War Hawks” pressured US Congress Westerners thought British were supplying weapons to Indians France and Great Britain are fighting and the US gets trapped between their opposing legislation -- British refuses to allow trade with France and vice-versa Impressment -- American Soldiers are stolen by British -- especially (Leopard and Chesapeake Incident) War Hawks -- John C. Calhoun & Henry Clay From the Western States -- never see war before See “Henry Clay Endorses War” (1811)

Jefferson’s Response Embargo Act of 1807 – prohibited all American trade with foreign ports Greatly hurt American shipping and the US economy New Englanders hated Jefferson (“Mad Tom”)

Madison’s Response James Madison elected in 1808 Realized that Embargo Act hurt US much more than France or Britain Passed the “Non-Intercourse Act” Re-opened American trade with all nations except France and Britain Would trade with France and Britain if they would respect US neutral rights

The “War Hawks” Call for War War Hawks-- New, young Republicans came to Congress from “frontier” states War was the only way to defend American honor gain Canada destroy Native American Resistance War Hawks call for war .1810 -- New, young Republicans come to Congress from Frontier states .Leaders: Henry Clay of Kentucky & John C. Calhoun of South Carolina .Never seen a war and eager to start one with Britain .Reasons to go to War .Depression in Ohio Valley .Desire for Canadian land )Future fur-trading )Region needed for expansion of settlers )Pawn to trade with England to force end of attacks on shipping .Indian warfare with confederation organized by Tecumseh. Battle of Tippecanoe convinced war hawks of British assistance to Indians. .Impressment 3. War is the only way to a. defend American honor b. gain Canada c. destroy Native American Resistance

Problems With Native Americans Settlers pushing the Indians further westward, creating more conflicts, thought British were supplying arms Shawnee decided to fight back Leaders: Tecumseh & Prophet attempted to unite all tribes east of the Mississippi 1811 -- Battle of Tippecanoe: General William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh Native American Issues Shawnee in west are tired of being pushed further west by settlers Shawnee Confederation led by Tecumseh and the Prophet tried to unify all the Tribes east of the Mississippi Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) – General William Henry Harrison defeats the Shawnee but becomes convinced that the British were supplying them

War Is Declared June 18, 1812 -- Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war War was declared, before Britain’s offer to stop was received Critics referred to “Mr. Madison’s War”

Major Events of 1812-1813 1812 -- US invaded Canada in three places but failed to take over Burned the Canadian City of York (Toronto) 1813 -- British Fleet destroyed on Lake Erie American privateers damaged British shipping British navy blockaded US Coast See the map of the war 1813 -- Americans burn the Canadian city of York (now Toronto) Defeat of the British Navy -- “We have met the enemy and they are ours” 1813 – US victories on Lake Erie and Lake Champlain prevented British counterattack. American privateers damaged British shipping in early months USS Constitution very successful British navy overwhelmed US ships and blockaded coast from New England to Georgia

Major Events of 1814 Chesapeake Campaign 1814 -- British burned Washington, DC First Lady Dolley Madison rescued valuables from the White House Battle of Fort McHenry -- British bombard Baltimore, MD Francis Scott Key -- wrote The Star Spangled Banner after the Battle of Fort McHenry Chesapeake Campaign Attack on Washington -- 4000 British troops burn White House, other buildings in retaliation for the burning of York -- Dolley Madison’s letter Then move onto to Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry but the Americans hold firm (thus the Star-Spangled Banner) Southern Campaign March 1814 – Battle of Horseshoe Bend – Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Indians Napoleon abdicates in April 1814, leaving America alone to fight the British. At Treaty of Ghent, American and British negotiators agree to end fighting on December 24, 1814 1815 -- Andrew Jackson and combined force of whites and African-Americans defeat the British at New Orleans (“it was 1814, we took a little trip”) but the Treaty had already been signed British invade New Orleans, only to be defeated by American troops under Andrew Jackson's command in January 1815

More Events of 1814-1815 Hartford Convention -- Group of New England Federalists were going to Hartford Convention to oppose war, but the war ended before the convention. Treaty of Ghent signed -- December 24, 1814 1815 -- Battle of New Orleans Jackson and the Americans defeated the British, Jackson became a hero militarily insignificant because the war is already over

Results of the War Britain and US call it a draw -- no one wins December 1814 -- Treaty of Ghent is signed Hostilities cease all borders go back to pre-war status all land returned to original owners US Independence is won for good Britain and the United States become friends