“Mr. Madison’s War” The War of 1812

Causes of the War Napoleonic War with the British The “Warhawk” Congress of 1812 Impressment Indian Attacks Desire for Canadian territory

Indian Troubles Alliance between Tecumseh and the British Creation of an Indian alliance under Tecumseh; threatens American move west Aided by his half-brother, “the Prophet”; proclaims Tecumseh new Indian Messiah with mystical powers

Indian Troubles November 11, 1811 – Battle of Tippecanoe Tecumseh’s confederation defeated by William Henry Harrison Prophet killed; myth of Tecumseh destroyed

The Congress of 1812 New leadership in Congress: Henry Clay – SpeakerJohn C. Calhoun Influence of Western and Southern members More aggressive against Indians and British Expansionist, nationalist

Macon’s Bill #2 “Sec. 4. That in case either Great Britain or France shall, before the third day of March next, so revoke or modify her edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral commerce of the United States, which fact the President of the United States shall declare by proclamation, and if the other nation shall not within three months thereafter so revoke or modify her edicts in like manner… the restrictions imposed by this act shall, from the date of such proclamation, cease and be discontinued in relation to the nation revoking or modifying her decrees in the manner aforesaid.”

Madison and Napoleon JM fooled by Napoleon into accepting provisions of Macon #2, implying new alliance with the French was created; British now regard America as an enemy

Congress Declares War! An “unnecessary war” British concessions Lack of American preparedness: military weakness financial weakness (no BUS) divided country lack of support in the Northeast mostly supported in the South and West

Naval Actions defeat of the “mosquito fleet” Use of privateers (pirates) The Great Lakes Battles –Lake Ontario (fall, 1813) –Lake Erie (Sept. 10, 1813) Oliver Hazard Parry prevents British invasion of the Midwest

War Against the Tribes North: Harrison vs. Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames (Canada) Tecumseh killed; Indian alliance destroyed Indian threat in the North ended

War Against the Tribes South: Andrew Jackson vs. the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (AL) Ends Indian threat in the South Andrew Jackson

British Victories Increased attention paid to US conflict due to temporary peace with French More manpower and better officers sent to US conflict Strategy: divide New England from rest of US (similar to American Revolution but for different reasons)

The Burning of DC August 1814: British burn much of DC, including White House Madison and the government barely escape with documents and historical heirlooms “Government in exile” Federalists in NE began secret negotiations with Britain

Ft. McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner British defeated at Ft. McHenry; Inspires Francis Scott Key to write the famous poem

British Invasion of New York Fails at the battle of Plattsburg, Sept., 1814 British begin negotiations to end the war Thomas MacDonough

The Treaty of Ghent Negotiated by John Quincy Adams Signed December 26 th, 1814 “status quo antebellum” –Same deal that was offered in June, 1812

The Hartford Convention Purposes to propose radical changes to the Constitution to consider secession from the US

The Hartford Convention Proposed changes: Removing 3/5ths compromise and not count slaves at all in representation 2/3 in both houses of Congress to admit new States 2/3 needed to call an embargo 2/3 needed to declare war Only American born citizens could hold office One four year term for president, cannot have consecutive presidents from same State

The Battle of New Orleans Jan. 8 th, 1815: Andrew Jackson destroys the British at New Orleans Casualties: Britain – over 2,000, US – 21 Perceived by Americans as the cause for the end of the war

Timing of the End of the War Perceived ending of the war: Hartford Convention Battle of New Orleans Treaty of Ghent Results in discrediting the Federalists for good; gave Americans the perception of victory over the British Real ending of the war Treaty of Ghent Hartford Convention Battle of New Orleans All three events unrelated to each other

Impact of the War of 1812 Increased nationalism Western expansion Decreased Indian threat New relationship with the British End of the Federalists and beginning of one- party government for two decades