The Louisiana Purchase In 1801, France gained Louisiana from Spain & seemed ready to create an empire in North America – But, the Haitian revolution & cost of European wars led Napoleon to lose interest in America – In 1803, Jefferson negotiated with France to buy New Orleans, but Napoleon offered to sell all of Louisiana for $15 million

The Louisiana Purchase Jeffersonian contradictions: – The Constitution was vague on which branch had the authority to purchase new lands – Jefferson abandoned “strict construction” to buy Louisiana – Jefferson signed the Louisiana Gov’t Act which denied self-rule to Louisiana residents Republicans feared giving the mostly French & Spanish residents of New Orleans authority in a territorial assembly

The Louisiana Purchase & the Lewis & Clark Expedition Left St. Louis in May 1804 & reached the Pacific in Nov 1805 Meriwether Lewis & William Clark were commissioned to explore the Louisiana territory Goal #1: Determine if the Missouri River flowed to the Pacific Ocean Goal #2: Collect data on flora & fauna The report from the Lewis & Clark expedition reaffirmed faith in the future economic prosperity of the U.S.

Native American Resistance The Louisiana Purchase increased tensions with Indians: – Americans rejected coexistence with Indians – Tecumseh swayed the Shawnee & other tribes to stop selling land & to avoid contact with whites – Jefferson hoped to “civilize” Indians into yeoman farmers & planned for a vast reservation west of the Mississippi River

The Road to the War of 1812 The focus of Madison’s presidency was foreign policy: Non-Intercourse Act – In 1809, the Non-Intercourse Act promised the U.S. will resume trade with England & France once U.S. neutrality is respected Macon’s Bill #2 – In 1810, Congress replaced this with Macon’s Bill #2 offering exclusive trade to whichever nation 1 st honored U.S. neutrality Madison eagerly reopened trade with England …but England continued to seize U.S. ships France agreed to end all trade restrictions (but never stopped seizing ships or impressing sailors)

Which region would have supported a declaration of war the most? Most calls for war centered on British interference with U.S. trade rights. "Free Trade & Sailors' Rights" was a popular battle cry NE Federalists thought war with Britain as a mistake: they feared the U.S. could not defeat England & a war would bankrupt the country Americans in the West & South wanted war to gain Canada & Spanish Florida By 1810, War Hawks in Congress, led by Henry Clay (KY) & John C. Calhoun (SC), demanded war with England Madison eventually gave in & asked Congress for a declaration of war in June 1812 Patriotism surged as War Hawks claimed the War of 1812 the “Second American Revolution”

The War of 1812

War of 1812 Despite increased patriotism, the U.S. was unprepared for war: – Congress refused to raise taxes – The army was small & state militias were inadequate – The government was incapable of directing a full-scale war The U.S. goal for the war was to attack British Canada & force England to respect U.S. rights The U.S. did not fare well against the better-trained British troops The U.S. navy was a little more successful but only because the bulk of British navy was still fighting Napoleon in Europe

The War of 1812 In 1814, the British took the offensive in a 3-pronged attack British were turned back at Plattsburg on Lake Champlain & gave up their Canadian offensive The British attacked the undefended Chesapeake & burned Washington, DC & laid siege to Baltimore The American army under Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New Orleans (after a peace treaty was drawn up ending the war)

Hartford Convention Federalists opposed the war by not paying taxes or sending troops In 1814, Federalists met at the Hartford Convention to discuss altering the U.S. Constitution to: – Restrict Congress’ war powers – Supported a one-term president – Abolish the 3/5 clause They discussed seceding from the USA if they did not get their way The War of 1812 is still going on!! In order to reduce southern control of Congress In order to break the Virginia presidential dynasty

Treaty of Ghent Treaty of Ghent Treaty of Ghent did not address U.S. neutrality but was ratified unanimously by the Senate Effects of the war: – Ended all Indian-British alliances in western lands – Scared Spain into signing the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 – The lack of Federalist loyalty was the fatal blow to the party Spain ceded Florida to the USA

Effects of the War of 1812 Though the US might not have gained any lands or major concessions from the war, the War of 1812 did have a number of significant effects on the young nation… – The US gained incredible respect from foreign nations for fighting the world’s greatest power, England, to two stalemates – There was an incredible growth in nationalistic feelings across the US, especially in the west – The idea that the future of the US lay in westward expansion – The death of the Federalist party