James Madison and the War of 1812

Election of 1808 n What does the election of 1808 reveal about the growing power of the Republican party? the growing power of the Republican party?

Madison’s Policy n Peaceful economic coercion n 1809 Non-Intercourse Act n 1810 Macon’s Bill No. 2

Coercion fails n Napoleon baits Madison n Agrees to respect American rights n Madison stops trade with Great Britain

Causes of the war n Harassment of US shipping n Impressments (between 6,000 & 8,000 sailors/deserters taken) n National pride n War Hawks –Southern congressmen favored war, even though it hurt the east –Why did the War Hawks want war? –Land hunger, Expand (Canada & Florida) –End Indian attacks –J.C. Calhoun – mother scalped, Felix Grundy 3 brothers killed

War Hawks Henry Clay John C. Calhoun

An Indian Vision n Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa form an Indian Confederacy to fight US expansion n Tecumseh – “Why not sell the air, the clouds, the sea?” n Vision is shattered at Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) by US general William Henry Harrison

Did Napoleon trick the US into war? n Both Britain and France violate US rights n Madison states that the US will trade with the first nation that agrees to respect our rights (Macon’s Bill No. 2) n Napoleon acts first n US declares war June 18, 1812 n Britain drops the Orders in Council June 16, 1812

Homework n Read pages 226 to 231 n Answer – How was the War of 1812 a “western war with eastern labels”? n Rank the following in level of importance as they apply to the War of 1812: land hunger, national pride, settler-Indian conflicts, freedom of the seas, impressment of US sailors

What were some of the benefits of going to war with Britain? n To allow reopening of trade n National Pride n To stop the impressments of sailors n CANADA!!! n Florida!!! n End Indian attacks

What were some drawbacks to going to war? n Not everyone in the US wanted to go to war n Military was small –Standing Army was small –Militia comprised most of our forces, and they did not like to fight outside of their state borders –Navy was quite small only 22 ships n Britain was a great Superpower and could crush us like a bug and we could lose territory that was gained in the Treaty of Paris or the Louisiana Purchase

Declaration of War n June 18 of 1812 Congress oks declaration of war n June 16 Britain had suspended the Orders in Council n Vote was split along regional lines n War started with Invasion of Canada

Key Battles n US Burns York (now Toronto) –US figured the Canadians would welcome the Americans and quickly join the US to expel Britain from North America…this did not happen n Perry Defeated the British on Lake Erie –This gave the US control of Lake Erie n Britain Blockades the Eastern Seaboard –This prevented shipping from leaving, and made the war more unpopular in the Northeast

The Roof is on Fire… n In August 1814, British Forces Sailed into Chesapeake Bay and capture Washington D.C. n They burn the White House and the Capitol n Madison and Congress Barely escape

Oh Say Can You See… n Unlike D.C., Baltimore was Ready for the British n The City militia inflicted heavy casualties on the British n After bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814 The British abandon the attack n Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment and penned a poem which becomes the National Anthem.

Treaty of Ghent n Treaty was Negotiated in Europe and was signed on Dec. 24, 1814 ending the war of 1812 n The War ended in a stalemate, where no party gained or lost any territory. n The issue of impressment was not addressed, but faded on its own.

Battle of New Orleans n Fought after the treaty was signed (but not ratified) n Why was New Orleans important? n Pirates and Frontiersman fought alongside US troops n Made Andrew Jackson a National hero and household name n Ensured treaty ratification

If The War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important? n Gave the United States a National Identity –We were able to hold our own against the British –Started us thinking about continuing westward expansion –Ended bad feelings toward the British n Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the Western Frontiersmen n Growth of American Industry n Disappearance of the Federalist Party n Francis Scott Key – Star Spangled Banner