1. CHAPTER 6
Section 4 – The War of 1812
October 15, 2013

2. Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History
Starter
What was the reason for Lewis and Clark expedition? Who sent them?
Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History

3. Rising Tensions With Britain
After fragile peace fell apart, Britain and France go back to war in 1803
Britain began to use impressment, kidnapping Americans off of merchant ships and forcing them to serve in the British Navy
In June 1807, a British warship opened fire on the American warship The Chesapeake
Jefferson tries an embargo but it does not work – repealed in 1809

4. The Road to War James Madison James Madison elected president in 1808
Like Jefferson, Madison tried economic pressure to get France and England to stop interfering with American ships
The Non-Intercourse Act and Macon’s Bill #2 both failed to convince Britain or France to respect American shipping rights
Finally in 1810, France agreed to stop restricting American trade
James Madison

5. The Road to War Henry Clay
War Hawks – group of young Republicans from the South and West who are pushing for war with Britain
The northeast is against a war – hurts trade
In June 1812, Madison asked Congress for a Declaration of War
Congress voted to declare war; in the House and in the Senate
Henry Clay

6. Causes of the War of 1812 Impressment of American sailors
Western settlers blamed British for problems with Native Americans
Southern farmers were losing money because of British trade restrictions
Lack of communication between Britain and U.S.
France tried to lead U.S. and Britain into war

7. Problems of the War of 1812
U.S. was not ready to fight War of 1812 – only 7,000 troops and 16 ships
Americans deeply divided – New England called it “Mr. Madison’s War”
U.S. financial problems – National Bank charter had expired

8. The War of 1812 U.S.S. Constitution
U.S. decided to invade Canada in 1812 – huge mistake
U.S. had some success on Lake Erie in 1813
In 1814, Britain’s war with France ended and the British shifted extra troops to America
With U.S. focused on Canada, Britain invaded via the Chesapeake Bay and burnt Washington to the ground in Aug 1814
U.S.S. Constitution

9. The Star Spangled Banner
After attacking Washington D.C., the British attacked Baltimore
U.S. prepared to defend Baltimore
After the British bombarded Fort McHenry all night long on Sep. 13th, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner the next morning

11. The War of 1812
Support for the war declined, especially among New England Federalists
At the Hartford Convention in December 1814, High Federalists urged New England to secede from the Union
A month later the U.S. gets a decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans – General Andrew Jackson becomes a war hero
The Hartford Convention all but ended the Federalist Party

12. The War of 1812 Ends
Britain and the U.S. signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 2, 1814
Treaty was actually signed before the Battle of New Orleans
Treaty said nothing about impressment and no territory changed hands
War of 1812 increased the nation’s prestige overseas, as well as unity and patriotism

13. Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History
War of 1812 Video Link
Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History