Conflict Chapter 9, Section 3

American’s Abroad Under Jefferson, America involved itself in military conflict overseas for the first time in America’s history.

Trade in the Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is an important trade center in the world. It connects Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Pirates of the Mediterranean During Jefferson’s presidency the Barbary Pirates began attacking American ships in the Mediterranean and demanding tribute. Jefferson responds by sending American warships

“…to the shores of Tripoli” In 1802, US Marines marched 600 miles across the Sahara and captured Tripoli. It was the first time the American Flag was raised in a foreign territory Jefferson’s actions proved the ability of the United States to deal with foreign threats to American security.

Freedom of the Seas Thomas Jefferson is reelected in 1804. During the conflict between France and Britain (Europe), the United States had managed to remain neutral. They traded supplies with both France and Britain As the war heightened, France and Britain began seizing supply ships and blocking enemy ports.

Neutrality is Challenged Britain and France were in desperate need of sailors, thus, they once again began impressment of American citizens.

The Chesapeake In 1807, Britain attacks a U.S. ship named the Chesapeake. They open fire killing 3 and wounding 18. Many in the U.S. demanded war with Britain. Jefferson had other ideas.

A Disastrous Trade Ban To protect the U.S., Jefferson put the Embargo Act into effect. Embargo: Prevents trade with another country. The Embargo Act prevented imports and exports from nearly all foreign countries (specifically France and England).

War Fever James Madison becomes our 4th President. He takes power at an unfavorable time. In 1810 Madison immediately repeals the Embargo Act. France and Britain, however, continued seizing American ships and selling them for profit. Native Americans in the west are also creating disturbances.

Frontier Conflicts In 1803, Ohio becomes a state. Between 1801 and 1810, thousands of white settlers come to the Ohio River Valley and slowly push Native Americans from the land. Tensions grew! A Native American leader by the name of Tecumseh created an alliance of Natives that was backed by the British.

Frontier Conflicts Tecumseh was a great speaker and many Native Americans followed him. Tecumseh created a headquarters in modern day Indiana, where the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers meet. He called his headquarters “Prophetstown”.

Prophetstown

Battle of Tippecanoe In 1811 a man by the name of General William Henry Harrison (governor of the Indiana territory) attacked Prophetstown where he defeated the Native Americans and Tecumseh. Harrison eventually becomes our 9th President This defeat only angered Tecumseh more. He would now ask the British to assist him in a military campaign against the United States

Declaring War Due to the British’s illegal search and seizure of U.S. ships, impressment of U.S. citizens, as well as supplying Native Americans with weapons in the Ohio River Valley; Madison declares war on Britain in 1812 America’s 2nd war with the British would be known as the War of 1812