Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY The War of 1812 Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Edited by Gelber

America's Second War for Independence?

Causes of the War?

1. Napoleonic Wars 1806  Berlin Decrees [“Continental System”] 1806  Britain issued the “Orders in Council.” 1807  Milan Decrees 1808-1811  Britain impressed over 6,000 American sailors.

2. Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair” June 21, 1807. Br. Captain fired on the USS Chesapeake. 3 dead, 18 wounded. Br. Foreign Office said it was a mistake.

3. The Embargo Act (1807) The “OGRABME” Turtle

Presidential Election of 1808

James Madison Becomes President

Dolly Madison: The President’s Greatest Asset

4. The Non-Intercourse Act (1809) Replaced the Embargo Act. Unexpected Consequences: N. Eng. was forced to become self-sufficient again [old factories reopened]. Laid the groundwork for US industrial power. Jefferson, a critic of an industrial America, ironically contributed to Hamilton’s view of the US!!!

May 1810: “Macon’s Bill No. 2” Re-opened Amer trade w/ world. But if either Brit or Fr repealed their commercial restrictions, US would restore embargo against only the non-repealing nation. Napoleon now manipulated US into resuming embargo against Brit w/vague promises Madison gambled & reinstated non-intercourse against Brit

5. Br. Instigation of Indians British General Brock Meets with Tecumseh

Tecumseh & the Prophet Brothers who tried to unite Indians Wanted to reject white culture, alcohol, go back to common ownership of land, wearing animal skins & furs.

Note: in times of crisis, Native Amer cultures often give rise to prophets. (Later in late 19th C, Ghost Dance movement) Had success in unifying + renewal of Indn culture.

Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811: End of Indian Unity Gen. William Henry Harrison  governor of the Indiana Territory. Invited Native Indian chiefs to Ft. Wayne, IN to sign away 3 mil. acres of land to the US government. Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelands. The Prophet fought against Harrison and was defeated at Tippecanoe. This made Harrison a national hero! [1840 election  Tippecanoe & Tyler, too!]

“War Hawks” John C. Calhoun [SC] Henry Clay [KY]

Wanted Brit out of Canada & Spain out of Fla. Mostly from South & West

Presidential Election of 1812

“Mr. Madison’s War!”

June 1812: President Seeks War Declaration from Congress Why go to war now? Impressment, int’l law violations, ongoing since 1808 Only new one= Brits’ alleged incitement of Indns Most likely real reason was econ recession in So. & West due to falling prices for farm goods Many Amer blamed Brit policy (really due to US trade policy!)

June 23, 1812: Brit repealed Orders in Council WHY? Brit experiencing economic depression also But Congr had already passed war declaration 5 days before.

American Problems The US was unprepared militarily: Had a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’s 800 ships. Americans disliked a draft  preferred to enlist in the disorganized state militias. Financially unprepared: Flood of paper $. Revenue from import tariffs declined. Regional disagreements.

Overview of the War of 1812

3 U. S. Invasions of 1812

2 phases of war: (1) Between summer 1812 – Spring 1814 Amer assumed offensive, launching generally unsuccessful attacks on Canada (2) Spring 1814 – early 1815 Brit took offensive & some spectacular victories while still losing key battles.

Campaigns of 1813

Spring 1814: British 3 prong offensive (1) from Montreal (2) at Chesapeake Bay (DC area) (3) Invade New Orleans by sea  

Aug 1814 – Brit troops march into DC & burn Capitol, White House & other govt bldgs. (Dolly escaped with the china & GW’s portrait!)

Battle of Fort McHenry, 1814 Oh Say Can You See By the Dawn’s Early Light… -- Francis Scott Key

Gave proof through the night, That our flag was still there..

Hartford Convention December, 1814 – January, 1815 New England Considers Secession!

Proposed Constit amendments Ex: repeal 3/5 compromise; less congressional power to order embargo; 1-term for Prez Some (not all) even called for secession Disastrous timing! Now looked more like traitors Death knell for Federalist party

Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814

Status quo ante bellum”= state of affairs before the war. US neither gained nor lost territory. Impressment & maritime rts were now dead issues WHY? Europ war over! (as Adams & TJ had expected) Oregon Territory also placed under joint Brit & Amer control for 10 yrs.

The Battle of New Orleans, 1815

Jackson’s Florida Campaigns

3 major political consequences of war: (1) Eliminated Federalists (2) Convinced Republicans that US could fight a war & still maintain indiv liberties (3) Jeffersonian Republicans began to embrace doctrines long associated w/ Hamiltonians Ex: tariff; fed support for internal improvements (transp projects); & creation of 2nd natl bank  

One of Amer’s worst-fought wars 6,000 Amers killed or hurt. Lots of apathy about it, communications problems Seems unnecessary in hindsight

But…some positive results: Wave of patriotism & new nationalism after war Star Spangled Banner “White House” new name b/c whitewash used to clear smoke damage Jackson & Wm Henry Harrison now nat’l war heroes War won new respect for US by other nations esp in diplomatic sense