The War of 1812 The Second War for Independence Focus Questions: Why did the United States Go to War with Britain? What Was the Outcome?

Americans Blame the British Democratic Republicans are embarrassed by the failure of Jefferson’s embargo Americans angry at the impressment of their seamen Native Americans fighting for their land in the Midwest

Gearing Up For War Congress repeals the Embargo Act. France agrees to recognize American neutrality. Britain does not. Two Shawnee Indians Tecumseh and his brother work to unite all Native Americans against the expansion of white settlement. Battle of Tippecanoe slows momentum

The War Hawks Aggressive, brash young politicians mostly from the South and the western frontier Strongly nationalistic Pushed for war with Britain to restore national honor Wanted to invade Canada & drive British out of North America Leaders were John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay

U.S. Declares War Against Britain in June 1812 When James Madison asked Congress to declare war, the U. S. is unprepared against the world’s superpower. In his term, Jefferson had cut funds for both the army & navy. The U.S. is risking their independence from Britain

The U.S. Invades Canada Jefferson advised Madison to attack Canada. Felt Canada would be easy target because U.S. population 32X larger than Canada Jefferson also felt state militias could defeat British Canada invasion serious mistake. Native Americans & British fighting together easily stopped U.S. invasions Additionally, Americans lost one of their forts Detroit U.S. humiliated

U.S. Navy Holds Its Own To shock of British, American navy wins victories against the world’s most powerful navy Oliver Hazard Perry defeats British flotilla which allows U.S. army to retake Detroit After British invade U.S. in 1814, American ships defeat British fleet on Lake Champlain, forcing British to retreat to Canada

U.S. Defeats Native Americans In 1813, William Henry Harrison kills Tecumseh, great Native American general and strategist Andrew Jackson defeats the Creek Indians in Alabama Jackson then invades the Spanish colony of Florida and defeats the Seminole Indians

The British Attack! British defeated Napoleon in early 1814 and they could now concentrate on fighting America. British navy blockaded eastern coast and an army occupied eastern Maine A second army invaded northern New York A third army landed in Maryland and attacked & burned the White House & the Capitol in Washington D.C.

“The Rockets’ Red Glare” After British leave Washington D.C., they attempt to attack Baltimore & are defeated During this attack, Francis Scott Key writes the Star-Spangled Banner British depart for Canada in defeat

The War of 1812 Ends Andrew Jackson routs the British at New Orleans & becomes an instant hero Treaty of Ghent ends the War of 1812. Because Americans hear about the peace treaty after they hear about Jackson’s victory, they believe that Jackson forced the British to make peace. Americans feel a new sense of national pride. British give up hope of re-conquering its former colonies

The Hartford Convention & the End of the Federalist Party The burdens of war did not fall equally on all sections of the country. New England suffered economically & the war was unpopular In December 1814 New England Federalists met to consider secession & making a separate peace with the British After Jackson’s victory & the Ghent Treaty, Federalists look like traitors Federalist Party dead by 1820

Effects of the War of 1812 Revealed Need for a strong standing army Encouraged American nationalism Brought end to the Federalist Party Shattered the strength of Native American resistance Paved the way for American acquisition of Florida