The Second War of American Independence CAUSES OF THE WAR OF 1812

 1803 Napoleonic Wars begin in Europe  1805 British Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson’s fleet Trafalgar. …Brits rule the sea.  Battle of Austerlitz… France rules the land.  Nothing to do with America until…  1806 Orders in Council  Any foreign (U.S.) ship headed for France must check in at a British port first for inspection.  France said… yeah, about that, no.  America stuck in the middle. TIME TO BE NEUTRAL… OR NOT.

 6,000+ US Naval men and other merchants “impressed” by the British.  Knock’em out and drag’em off.  Leopard v. Chesapeake  1807 British Leopard demanded men, fired on and damaged US Chesapeake  British apologized but it was… to late.  Most wanted a War with Britain… Jefferson waited. IMPRESSMENT… AGAIN.

JEFFERSON'S DOWNFALL…  Jefferson knew that a naval showdown was coming and he felt the only way to halt it was through an Embargo.  Embargo Act of 1807  Forbid ALL exports to ALL nations.  Wonderful in theory, horrible in effect.  Effected New Englanders the most.  Smuggling issues  Little effect on South.

 A student of history and government  well-read in law  he participated in the framing of the Virginia Constitution in 1776  served in the Continental Congress, and was a leader in the Virginia Assembly.  Father of the US Constitution  Short man, appeared old and worn JAMES MADISON: 4 TH PRESIDENT Madison Biography

 Embargo Act 1807 not successful… well duh.  Macon’s Bill #2 proposed to allow trade with other nations but also to exclusively reinstate trade with either England or France, whichever one pledged to drop its trade restrictions.  Napoleon pounced on this opportunity and promised to drop restrictions and open trade with the U.S.  Madison smelled some dishonesty but was trapped in his own proposal. MACON’S BILL #2

 In 1811… Congress was different.  Younger men had ousted older "submission men."  The young Congressmen were from the West and South, and were fiery-tempered.  The were called "War Hawks" since they pushed for war.  Most noteworthy of these War Hawks was Henry Clay,  a young Kentuckian, named Speaker of the House at age 34. OUT WITH THE OLD…

 The War Hawks  Wanted the Indians cleared out of the west (the Ohio Valley) so whites could settle there without fear.  Indian opposition was led by Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and the Prophet.  They encouraged traditional Indian clothes and culture,  Urged Indians to not give up or sell their lands.  Organized a coalition of Indians (which was very unusual ) TECUMSEH AND THE PROPHET

 November of 1811 Indiana governor William Henry Harrison attacked and defeated the Shawnee at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  The Prophet was killed.  This battle made William Henry Harrison a national hero and earned him the nickname of "Tippecanoe.“  The battle also turned Tecumseh to join the British.  Notably, two years later William Henry Harrison would also kill Tecumseh during the War of BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE

 By 1812, war was seen as inevitable.  Madison asked Congress to declare war on England and they did in June of MR. MADISON’S WAR

 "Why did America go to War in 1812?"… 1.“Freedom of the seas” —The U.S. wanted the right to sail and trade without fear. 2.The possibility of land —The U.S. might gain Canada or Florida. 3.To resolve Indian issues —Americans were still upset about British guns being giving to Indians (Battle of Fallen Timbers) and Indian attacks on the frontier. 4.We wanted to make a major statement. – America would have to be considered as an equal amongst other nations, rather than a scrawny upstart. This is why the War of 1812 is often called the "Second War for American Independence." MR. MADISON’S WAR