1. The War of 1812
Mrs. Ingram

2. Economic Troubles
Jefferson ended the embargo just before he left office in 1808.
Congress replaced it with the Nonintercourse Act of 1809.
This lifted the embargo with all countries EXCEPT FOR Great Britain and France.
A year later, Macon’s Bill #2 was passed to further entice trade.
Lifted the embargo with Britain and France for three months.
Whichever country stopped attacking American ships, the U.S. would stop trading with the other country.
Both had the goal of stimulating trade with foreign countries, but were unenforceable., so they had little success.

3. 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 for breaking treaties, 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.

4. 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 were mostly from southern and western states.
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.

5. War Breaks Out
Even though the country was split over going to war, Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war in June, 1812.
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.

6. 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, resulting in an American victory.
This is the battle were Francis Scott Key penned the poem which would later become the Star Spangled Banner.

7. 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).

8. Treaty of Ghent
Both sides’ military failures made it difficult to justify continuing as the war progressed.
The two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent which stated:
Each side would go back to its pre-war boundaries.
They also agreed to set up a commission to settle all further boundary disputes.
Many Americans saw the treaty as an outright victory because news came so quickly after word of Jackson’s victory at New Orleans.

9. Hartford Convention
During the war, many New England Federalists spoke out openly against the war.
They convened in Hartford, CT 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.

10. Cause and Effect of the War of 1812
Causes
Effects
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
Demonstrated a need for a strong standing army/navy
Spurred American nationalism
Eventual demise of the Federalist Party
Eventual acquisition of Florida