Problems with Foreign Powers 10.3

Problems with France & England 1805: Great Britain creates a blockade to prevent US ships from getting to France Impressment: kidnapping US sailors and making them work on British ships. They impressed over 6,000 sailors. 1807 The British ship the Leopard attacked the US Chesapeake. Three Americans died Jefferson refuses to declare war.

Trade as a Weapon Embargo Act of 1807: American ships were no longer allowed to sail to foreign ports and American ports were closed to British ships Policy is a disaster. American farmers and merchants suffered economically with no trade. 1808: Jefferson leaves office and is replaces with James Madison

Native Americans 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne is signed by 4 tribes and the governor of the Indiana Territory to sell 3 million acres to America. A Shawnee chief, Tecumseh calls for Native Americans to unit against the US. Tecumseh is defeated at Tippecanoe. They form alliances with the British as a result

War Hawks Who were they? What were their goals? Politicians who are pro-war Henry Clay of Kentucky Andrew Jackson of Tennessee What were their goals? Acquire land on the frontier Conquer Canada, a British colony – they suspected the British were arming the Native Americans. Acquire Florida from Spain

The Moment of Decision: 6/12/12 President Madison presented a list of grievances against Britain, asked Congress to declare war Considerations for Congress: War – lost lives U.S. relationships with Britain People in different regions of the United States and different income levels were divided over war.

Activity Part I Read The 4 Options presented to Congress on June 6 Summarize each option Bullet point any positive and negatives. Be prepared to share

Activity Part II Now read the brief biographies of real Americans who lived during this era Guess which option each person would select and justify your answer Think of questions these people might ask their representatives to Congress

The House voted 79-49 for war The Senate voted 19-13 for war The Verdict? The House voted 79-49 for war The Senate voted 19-13 for war What do these numbers reveal about the decision to go to war?