The War of 1812

1. The War of 1812

2. Macon’s Bill No. 2 • If Britain or France agreed to respect U.S. neutrality, the U.S. would halt trade with the other. • Napoleon said he agreed, Madison embargoed British trade • Napoleon reneged

3. Causes • Free Seas/Trade • Why so important? • Why Britain and not France? • Popular Opinion • Impressment • Frontier • British Canada • Spanish Florida

4. Causes, cont’d • Native American Rebellion • Tecumseh attempts unity among tribes east of Mississippi • “The way, and the only way, to check and to stop this evil, is for all the Redmen to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was at first and should be yet; for it was never divided, but belongs to all for the use of each. That no part has a right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers-those who want all and will not do with less.” • "Let the white race perish. They seize your land; they corrupt your women, they trample on the ashes of your dead! Back whence they came, upon a trail of blood, they must be driven." • Gen. W.H. Harrison burns Shawnee headquarters • Americans blame British

5. Causes, cont’d • War Hawks • Young D-Republicans from frontier states • Henry Clay (KY), John Calhoun (SC) • Argued that war was the only way to: • Defend American honor • Annex Canada • Destroy Native American Resistance on frontier

6. Divided Nation • South and West + PA and VT vote for • New England +NY and NJ vote against • Britain agrees to suspend blockade, but war is declared before news carries • Madison wins election over anti-war Clinton

7. Opposition to War • “Mr. Madison’s War” • New England Merchants • Profiting off the European war, didn’t care about impressment • Federalists • Party loyalty • Republican scheme to conquer Canada and Florida • “Quids” • Violated commitment to limited government and peace

8. A Losing Victory • Hope for victory rests with Napoleon and Canadian invasion • Canadian Invasion fails • Only angers British • Naval success • Good ships • Free African Americans • Lake Erie and Lake Champlain forced British to abandon plan to invade NY and New England

9. Chesapeake Campaign • Napoleon Defeated in 1814 • British march to Washington DC and burn the White House, Capitol and other buildings • Fail to take Baltimore • Star-Spangled Banner

10. Southern Campaign • More success • Andrew Jackson • Destroys Creeks • 800 of 1000 w/ few casulaties, thanks to Cherokees • Buys up Creek land after war • Battle of New Orleans stops British effort to control Mississippi

11. Treaty of Ghent • British tired of war • Terms: • No more fighting • Return conquered territory • Prewar borders recognized • Stalemate

12. Hartford Convention • Another secession attempt by New England • Opposition to war and Republicans • No secession, but required a 2/3 majority in the Senate to declare war • Word gets to DC about New Orleans and Treaty • Federalists labeled unpatriotic

13. Consequences • Survived 2 wars with Britain • Accepted Canada as a neighbor • Federalists disappear • Secession rears head again • Native Americans forced to surrender much land • More U.S. factories • Jackson and Harrison gain fame • Nationalism, Manifest Destiny

14. Essay Prompt • Analyze, with respect to his domestic and foreign policies, the statement by President Jefferson, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists”