 Europe was at war following the French revolution.  The United States benefited from the war  The powerful nations were busy in Europe  The United States could sell supplies to both sides  England began restricting U.S. trade to Europe and impressing U.S. sailors.  France did the same.

 The HMS Leopard attacks the USS Chesapeake  Jefferson refuses to go to war – desires a peaceful coercion  Congress passes the Embargo of 1807  Harder on Americans than anyone else  Imports and exports fell  Increased problems in the Northwest with Native Americans that was supported by the British.

 Jefferson decides to maintain Washington’s two term precedent  His chosen successor is his Sec. of State, James Madison  Other Democratic-Republicans fear that Madison does not have enough experience to be President

James Madison wins the election Defeats Charles Cotesworth Pinckney George Clinton is Vice President

 The United States desired unity and had a sense of national purpose.  Issues with Spain, over Florida are resolved with the Adams-Onis Treaty.  Spain gives Florida to the US  Spain gives up claims to the Oregon Territory

 War Hawks ” (westerners calling for war with Britain) come to Congress led by Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Felix Grundy  Most War Hawks came from the agrarian (farming) South and West who had been negatively affected by the Embargo Act

 Andrew Jackson and the War Hawks convinced Congress to declare war on England (Great Britain).  Britain did not want war due to problems with France  Agreed to offer free trade again but too late.  Congress votes for “Mr. Madison’s War” on June 18, 1812

 Shawnee Indian leader forms an Indian confederacy  U.S. defeats Indians at Battle of Tippecanoe  William Henry Harrison leads American forces

 The war went well for the U.S. at first.  Britain had little interest  U.S. very aggressive  Navy ships United States and Constitution win early victories.  Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry wins an important victory on Lake Erie  Famous for “Don’t give up the ship!” and “We have met the enemy and they are ours”  General Harrison wins the Battle of the Thames  This ends the British threat to the Northwest  Tecumseh is killed in the battle; the Indian confederacy collapses

 U.S. attempts 3 invasions of Canada  All fail  USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) defeats the British on the Atlantic  Battle of York, Canada (Toronto)—the U.S. defeats British and burn York; the British will later repay by burning Washington D.C. (4/1813)

 Battle of Lake Erie (9/1813)  British stopped in the Great Lakes by Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry  Battle of Thames (10/1813) Tecumseh is killed in the battle; the Indian confederacy collapses

 Britain defeats Napoleon and turns full attention to the United States  British attack Washington, D.C. and burn the city.  Attack on Fort McHenry  Francis Scott Key writes the “ Star Spangled Banner ”  British attack across Lake Champlain but are defeated by the U.S. Fleet in the Battle of Lake Champlain.  British move on New Orleans but are stopped by Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans.

Major Battles of The War of 1812

 War fought in three theatres  In the Atlantic Ocean  Along the American coastline  In the Canadian theatre

 The Treaty of Ghent ends the war BEFORE the Battle of New Orleans.  The treaty left no clear winner despite U.S. victories.  No land gained  Trade problems continued  The positive effect of the war.  Increased stature of the United States on the world stage  Ended Native American threat in the Northwest  Increase U.S. pride in the country and patriotism  Increase U.S. self-sufficiency

 President James Monroe elected to office in  A period of sectional tension is growing in America  Missouri Compromise  Compromise offered by Speaker of the House Henry Clay to balance Free and Slave States representation in the government.  Slavery would be banned in the Louisiana Territory  Missouri would be admitted as a Slave State and Maine admitted as a Free State.

 European monarchies planned to help Spain and Portugal regain colonies lost to independence in the Western Hemisphere.  Russia was expanding in the Pacific Northwest.  US feared if European powers did this it would threaten the US.  In December 1823, President Monroe issues the Monroe Doctrine  The Americas (western hemisphere) was closed to further colonization  Warned European powers that attempts to reestablish colonies would be viewed as dangerous to US peace and safety.  The US would stay out of European affairs (remain neutral.

 The war starts due to restrictions on U.S. trade, impressments of U.S. sailors, and support of the Native Americans in the Northwest by the British  The war can be divided into two (2) phases.  The Treaty of Ghent did not resolve any issues that started the war.  The war did increase U.S. productivity, stature within the world community, and patriotism within the country.