Events Leading Up to the War of 1812

1. Events Leading Up to the War of 1812 By: Sabrina Canas, Vanessa Rosky, Izzi Wayner, Taylor Woods

2. Foreign Affairs • Fighting between France and Britain threatens American shipping • Blockading ports • American’s more angry at Great Britain • British policy of impressment: the practice of seizing Americans at sea and impressing/drafting them into joining the British navy

3. In response… • The Embargo Act of 1807- a ban on exporting products to other countries • Did this to hurt Britain and other major European powers • force them to honor American neutrality • Actually hurt America more than Britain • Lifted ban except with France and Britain

4. Native American Relations • William Henry Harrison: governor of the Indiana Territory • Called Native American chiefs together • Persuaded them to sign away 3 million acres to U.S. government • Many chiefs did not agree • Little Turtle • Tecumseh

5. Plan for Confederacy • Tecumseh believed Native Americans should create a confederacy • Confederacy: a united Native American nation • Thought it was the only way to protect land against white settlers • Traveled through the Midwest and South trying to get followers for his confederacy

6. Plan for Confederacy • Tecumseh’s brother- Prophet • Started reform movement within Shawnee tribe to cast off white civilization • While Tecumseh was spreading his ideas… • Prophet led Shawnee in an attack on Harrison & troops • Native American confederacy was using British arms • Caused thoughts of war for Americans War Hawks: a group of young congressmen from the South and West who called for war against Britain