1. Pirates Tripoli & Barbary States attacked European & American ships – Demanded a bribe or tribute to not attack ships
Capture the Philadelphia (U.S. ship); Stephen Decatur set the ship on fire to prevent the pirates from using to attack others
June 1805 – Tripoli agrees to not attack our ships, but U.S. has to pay $60,000 ransom for release of American prisoners
Barbary Pirates

2. American Neutrality is Violated
1803 – Britain & France went to war again
Both the British & French stop American ships because they are selling goods to the “enemy”

3. Embargo Act of 1807
It cut off supplies to France & Britain, but it also hurt the U.S.
Embargo Act failed because U.S. sailors were out of work & farmers couldn’t sell their goods
U.S. couldn’t import sugar, tea, or molasses
Napoleon continues to capture U.S. ships; some Americans call for war
1808 – James Madison elected President

4. War Hawks
War Hawks = members of Congress from the South & West who called for war with Britain
Reasons War Hawks Wanted War
To Seize Canada
To stop British seizure of American ships
To demonstrate the strength of the U.S.
To take Florida from Spain, Britain’s ally
To end British aid to Native Americans
War Hawks thought war would bring peace & more land to the frontier
Those opposed to war don’t want taxes & concerned about British attacking U.S. ports

5. War of 1812 U.S. declares war on Britain – June, 1812
Britain still at war with France
Pres. Jefferson reduced spending on military/defense = U.S. not ready for war
Few regular troops = relied on volunteers
British blockaded American ports to stop Americans from trading with other countries
U.S. navy too small & couldn’t break through

6. Battles
Andrew Jackson
American General William Hull was unsuccessful at invading Canada
American Captain Oliver Hazard Perry was successful at seizing control of Lake Erie & capturing several ships (1813)
Andrew Jackson able to win the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814) against the Creeks
Native Americans lose more land to whites

7. Final Battles
1814- Britain defeats France & send more troops & ships against the U.S.
British win battle in Maryland & then march on Washington, D.C.
British burn White House & other buildings
Battle of Fort McHenry – inspired American Francis Scott Key to write Star Spangled Banner
Battle of New Orleans – British attack Jan. 8, 1815 –British take heavy casualties & Andrew Jackson is a hero
Could have been avoided U.S. & Britain signed a treaty in Europe 2 weeks before

8. Results of the War of 1812 Treaty of Ghent (Belgium)
Pre-war conditions were restored
USA gained respect from rest of the world.
The US showed how tough they were.
Andrew Jackson became a national hero.