1. Sometimes called the Second American Revolution
War of 1812
Sometimes called the
Second American Revolution

2. Causes of the War: Economics
Jefferson’s Embargo Act of 1807
+ Madison’s Non-Intercourse Act of 1809
= Lost revenues and high unemployment
+ an economic recession that led to a deep depression

3. Causes of the War: Neutral Rights
British and French naval ships stopped and boarded our vessels
Both countries confiscated our cargos
British navy continued to impress our sailors
Interfered with our “Freedom of the Seas”

4. Causes of the War: Indian Troubles
Americans were certain the British were supplying guns to the Native Americans in the Northwest Territory

5. Causes of the War: Land Incentives
Americans wanted land for expansion (resources, trade, $, power, etc.)
Canada (owned by the British)
Florida (owned by the Spanish)

6. American Preparedness and Willingness to Fight
Small army and small navy
No national bank to organize bonds, loans, payments, etc.
“Warhawks” from southern & western states wanted war with Britain…(led by Henry Clay from Kentucky)… they had “War Fever”

7. American Preparedness and Willingness to Fight
Federalists from New England did not want war and organized the Hartford Convention
wanted to nullify acts of Congress
considered seceding from the US…
merchants from New England continued to trade with Gr. Britain

8. War of 1812 Think break
Review your notes about the causes of the War of 1812.
Put a star next to the cause that you think is the most important.
Discuss with your neighbor your decision.

9. Military Events of War of 1812
Northern Theatre: Canada ( )
Central Theatre: Washington DC (Summer, 1814)
Southern Theatre: New Orleans, LA (January 1815)
War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean ( )

10. Northern Theatre: Canada (1812-14)
US attacked Canada by crossing the Great Lakes
Britain attacked US by crossing the Great Lakes
Fought to a stalemate on Lake Erie

11. Central Theatre: Washington DC (Summer, 1814)
British captured and burned Washington, DC
British tried and failed to capture Baltimore
Francis Scott Key wrote Star-Spangled Banner (the poem was set to an old English tavern song)

12. Southern Theatre: New Orleans, LA (Jan 1815)
US Army General A. Jackson, with help from Jean Laffite and his pirates, beat the British
Battle of New Orleans occurred after Treaty of Ghent was signed (Dec 1814)

13. War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean (1812-14)
US Navy had 6 “frigates”
36 to 44 guns (cannons)
USA authorized “privateers”
British Navy had: “battle ships” (17 near USA) – 64 to 74 guns “frigates” (30 near USA) plus lots of smaller support ships

14. War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean (1812-14)
US Navy defeated three British frigates in 1812
US Navy used “guerilla” tactics (hit and run)
US captured over British ships (military merchant vessels)
British blockaded most US ports during war
British cut US imports and exports by 80%

15. War of 1812 frigate break

16. Results of the War of 1812 Land – no change in geographic boundaries
Impressment – the British stopped taking our men for their navy
Foreign Respect – Americans defended themselves against Great Britain, a military super-power…again

17. Results of the War of 1812
Isolationism – Americans should not get involved in European problems and Europeans should not get involved in ours
Nationalism – increased pride and patriotism in America

18. Results of the War of 1812
Westward Expansion – Native Americans were nearly gone from east of the Mississippi River…meant more land for white settlers
Growth of Manufacturing – increased economic and business activity to provide materials for war…stimulated the economy

19. Results of the War of 1812
Collapse of Federalist Party – Federalists were considered traitors…lost all political power
Andrew Jackson
new national hero
was elected president in 1828

20. Results of the War of 1812
National Anthem - Francis Scott Key wrote poem Star Spangled Banner…became the US national anthem in 1931

21. An important little war
War of 1812
An important little war