1. Topic: Was war inevitable in 1812?

2. Madison and the International Situation
James Madison elected in 1808
Constitutional scholar
Close to Jefferson
Intellectual, not a president
Britain vs. France: can US remain neutral?
Macon’s Bill No. 2 (enticement)
Napoleon promises to accept US naval rights  US embargos Britain again
US seems ready for war against Britain

3. The Road to War Democratic-Republicans divided “War Hawks” in Congress
Avenge British wrongs
“On to Canada!”
Conflict with Indians
Henry Clay
Tecumseh and the Prophet
Indian “nationalism”
Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)
Internal US conflict  war to bring Americans together?
US at war could show the strengths of democracy?

4. War Begins: June 1812 Support for the war: Dissention on the war:
South and West
Democratic-Republicans
Dissention on the war:
Federalists and New England
Anti-French, problems with the acquisition of Canada
Madison declares war on Britain: “flagrant wrong-doings”
America ill-prepared to fight

5. Conclusion
Did the United States have to go to war in 1812? Explain.