1. Foreign and Domestic Problems
From Jefferson to Madison – Causes of the War of 1812

3. African Pirates
American merchant ships attacked off the coast of North Africa
Jefferson passed a law requiring all ships to be escorted through the Mediterranean Sea by the American Navy
Americans advised to keep friendships with nations but avoid their entanglements foreign nations
Who first had this idea?
Difficult for Americans to stay out of foreign affairs when involved so heavily with overseas trade

4. Fighting with Britain and France
Britain & France still at war in 1804
American ships had neutral rights & traded with both
Both countries attacked our ships
France seized & searched ships trading with Britain
Britain blocked French coasts
Britain impressed (kidnapped) American sailors to work on British ships
British attacked an American ship, Chesapeake, in 1807
Many demanded war
HMS Leopard, attacked the Chesapeake

5. Impacting Trade Jefferson did not push for war
“Peaceable coercion” was his terminology
Congress passed the Embargo Act
American ships not allowed to trade to European nations
The act was a disaster
American farmers and merchants lost important markets for their products
Many lost income
Many violated the embargo
Congress eventually repealed it

7. War Fever President Madison saw Britain as the greater threat
Interfered with shipping, impressed sailors, and resisted in the west
: white settlers attacked American Indian lands in the west
Natives renewed trading relationships with British in Canada
1811 – General William Henry Harrison attacked American Indians @ Prophetstown & proclaim a victory in the Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh (Indian leader) joined forces with the British

9. Declaration of War
War Hawks pushed for a declaration of war with Great Britain
Led by Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of S. Carolina
Their nationalism led to a new patriotism not seen since the Revolution
Many wanted British aid to Natives to be stopped
Others wanted war because of what happened at sea
June 1, 1812 – President James Madison asked Congress for declaration of war
Congress agreed
First time we declared war on a foreign nation

10. Important Dates Year Export Value 1794 $ 33 million 1801 $ 94 million
British-French Wars
British-French Truce
Napoleonic War
Embargo Act
War of 1812
Year
Export Value
1794
$ 33 million
1801
$ 94 million
1803
$ 54 million
1807
$ 108 million
1809
$ 22 million
1812
$ 61 million
1814
$ 7 million
Naval Forces of the War of 1812
Vessel Type
# of Guns
American Navy
British Navy
Ship of the Line
64-120
124
Frigate
26-50 8
116
Smaller Vessels
< 24
> 360

13. Presidential Candidate
Party
Home State
Popular Vote
Electoral Vote
Count %
James Madison 
(Incumbent)
Democratic-Republican
Virginia
140,431
50.4%
128
DeWitt Clinton
New York
132,781
47.6% 89
Rufus King
Federalist
5,574
2.0%
Total
278,786
100.0%
217
Needed to win
109

14. British aided Natives against Americans
War between Britain and France…Britain blocked our coast and stops our foreign trade
When attacking American ships, the British kidnaped sailors – “impressment”
Madison asked Congress to declare war against Great Britain – War of 1812
British aided Natives against Americans