The War of 1812 MRS. INGRAM

Gearing Up for War  Jefferson ended the embargo just before he left office in  Congress replaced it with the Nonintercourse Act of  Trade would resume with whomever lifted shipping restrictions on the U.S.  A year later, Macon’s Bill #2 was passed to further entice trade.  Not only would the U.S. resume trade with the country who lifted restrictions, but they would refuse to trade with the opposing country.

Conflict with Native Americans  Conflict in the western territories had been growing and the British were still supplying Native Americans with weapons.  The Native Americans distrusted the U.S. government, so they turned to Britain as an ally.  The Native Americans were led by the warrior Tecumseh, who sought to recruit supporters across the U.S.  Ultimately, William Henry Harrison emerged as a military leader at the Battle of Tippecanoe. This would be the first major victory against Native Americans in the War of 1812.

War Hawks  Young politicians who called for war were known as War Hawks. These men wanted to pursue war as a means of regaining national honor lost by impressment.  They believed attacking Canada was the best option because it was sparsely populated and it would cut off the weapons supply to Native Americans in the West.  Once they had taken Canada, they believed it could be used as leverage to gain greater maritime access.

War Breaks Out  Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war in June, The country was divided over war, though, so it did not have overwhelming support.  Successes  defeat over the Native Americans; naval victories (esp. on Lake Erie)  Failures  were never able to invade Canada; were forced to surrender Detroit at the beginning of the war; British burned Washington D.C.

Significant Battles  Battle of Fort McHenry  After the British had burned D.C., they turned their attention to Baltimore (where Fort McHenry was located). They were unable to capture the fort.  This is the battle were Francis Scott Key penned the poem which would later become the Star Spangled Banner.

Significant Battles  Battle of New Orleans  Considered the greatest victory of the War of 1812; took place in January of 1815… the war had been over for two weeks.  Andrew Jackson became a noted war veteran for the heavy casualties suffered by the British (2,036 to 71).

Treaty of Ghent  Both sides’ military failures made it difficult to justify continuing as the war progressed.  The two sides decided to revert to prewar boundaries, with each side ‘returning’ territory seized during the war.  They also agreed to set up a commission to settle all further boundary disputes.  Many Americans saw the Treaty of Ghent as an outright victory because news came so quickly after word of Jackson’s victory at New Orleans.

Hartford Convention  During the war, many New England Federalists spoke out openly against the war.  They convened in Hartford to discuss whether or not they should secede and make peace with Britain on their own.  Instead of secession, they demanded amendments be put in place to strengthen the power of New England states.  Their demands were received just as the war ended– making them laughable to the American public.  Support for the Federalist Party declined and in a few years, the party no longer existed.

Cause and Effect of the War of 1812 Causes  Britain interfered with U.S. shipping  British interference in American expansion westward (arming Native Americans)  Southerners want Florida (held by Britain’s ally, Spain)  War Hawks want Britain completely out of N. America Effects  Demonstrated a need for a strong standing army/navy  Spurred American nationalism  Eventual demise of the Federalist Party  Eventual acquisition of Florida

Review Today’s Topics 1) Which of the following is NOT a cause of the War of 1812? a) British impressment b) Southerners' desire to acquire first period c) War Hawks desire to remove the British from North America d) The disbanding of the Federalist Party 2) Which general emerged as a war hero following the Battle of New Orleans? a) William Henry Harrison b) Andrew Jackson c) Tecumseh d) Thomas Jefferson