The Second War for Independence?The War of 1812

Ms. LamblyU.S. I

Rm. 415

Review of pre-War European tensions

• 1806-Orders of Council (British)

– All ships going to Europe needed British licenses and would be searched for contraband

– Response: Napoleon declared that merchants who obeyed the British system would have their goods confiscated

Embargo Act 1807

ImpressmentImpressment:: act of kidnapping a ship, its act of kidnapping a ship, its contents, and/or men and forcing them into your navy---- contents, and/or men and forcing them into your navy----

British and FrenchBritish and French

impressment

Economic Pressures

Non-Intercourse Act: forbade trade with France and Britain while authorizing Madison to reopen trade with whichever country removed its trade restrictions first

Macon’s Bill # 2: reopened trade with both Britain and France

-If either agreed to drop restrictions on trade U.S. would stop importing goods from the other nation

Napoleon announced France would no longer Napoleon announced France would no longer restrict American traderestrict American trade

Britain cont’d. restrictions- Congress passed a Britain cont’d. restrictions- Congress passed a non-non-importation act importation act against Britain 1811against Britain 1811

June 1812-British ended all restrictions on trade June 1812-British ended all restrictions on trade BUT Congress had already declared war on Great BUT Congress had already declared war on Great BritainBritain

• Members of Congress who supported Members of Congress who supported war:war:

• Henry Clay (Kentucky)Henry Clay (Kentucky)

• John C. Calhoun (S. Carolina)John C. Calhoun (S. Carolina)

• South and West wanted war:South and West wanted war:

• British trade hurt southern planters British trade hurt southern planters and western farmersand western farmers

• Clashes with Native Americans Clashes with Native Americans blamed on British blamed on British

War HawksWar Hawks

• General William HenryGeneral William HenryHarrison Harrison governor of governor ofthe Indiana Territorythe Indiana Territory

• Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelandsfight for their homelands

• Native Americans lost confidence and fled (many to Native Americans lost confidence and fled (many to Canada) Canada)

Battle of Tippecanoe, Battle of Tippecanoe, 18111811

Battle of Tippecanoe, Battle of Tippecanoe, 18111811

Invasion of Canada• The nation was not ready to fight– Army-fewer than 7,000 troops and little equipment– Navy-16 ships– Deep divisions

• Paying for the war– BUS-shut down: no where to get money from, private

banks in NE• American military leaders plan to attack Canada

from 3 directions (failed) – Detroit– Niagara falls– Up the Hudson River Valley

The War Ends• 1814 Napoleon’s empire collapses: Britain focuses

on America– New Strategy: British navy would raid American cities,

march into NY from Montreal (cut New England off), and seize New Orleans and close off Mississippi

• Aug. 1814- British attack D.C. burned the White House and Capitol

• US ready in Baltimore-caused British to flee

Oh Say Can You SeeOh Say Can You SeeBy the Dawn’s Early Light…By the Dawn’s Early Light… -- -- Francis Scott KeyFrancis Scott Key

Gave proof through the Gave proof through the night,night,

That our flag was still That our flag was still there..there..

Gave proof through the Gave proof through the night,night,

That our flag was still That our flag was still there..there..

Feelings of nationalism Feelings of nationalism increasedincreased

Hartford ConventionHartford ConventionHartford ConventionHartford Convention

• Federalists met to discuss what they could do independently

• Members of the Essex Junto (group of New England Federalists) suggested secession

• Several amendments were called for to increase regional power

The Battle of New Orleans, The Battle of New Orleans, 1815 Andrew Jackson-cotton 1815 Andrew Jackson-cotton

bale defensebale defense

The Battle of New Orleans, The Battle of New Orleans, 1815 Andrew Jackson-cotton 1815 Andrew Jackson-cotton

bale defensebale defense

Treaty of Ghent• Signed December 24th 1814• Restored pre-war boundaries (did not

mention neutral rights or impressment)• Increased U.S. prestige and nationalism

In Conclusion:

Defend or refute the following statement (with supporting details)!!!

The War of 1812 was the second war for American Independence