The Road to War : Renewed Conflict with England & France

1. The Road to War: Renewed Conflict with England & France

2. The Embargo of 1807 • When England & France resumed war in 1803 & violated U.S. neutrality, Jefferson approved the unpopular Embargo of 1807 • To enforce the embargo, Jefferson contradicted his principles of individual liberty & weak gov’t: • He mobilized the military to enforce the blockade • He declared regions of NY (near Canada) in a state of insurrection

4. “Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power.”—TJ The Embargo of 1807 • For 15 months the embargo proved ineffective; Congress repealed the embargo in 1809 • Jefferson’s decision to not run for a third term meant that these problems fell to his hand-picked successor, James Madison • In 1808, Madison was elected president & the Republicans maintained control of the gov’t The embargo gained no political concessions from France or Britain But it produced economic hardship, smuggling, & political dissent in America Congress repealed the embargo just 3 days after Jefferson left office

6. The Road to the War of 1812 …but England continued to seize U.S. ships Madison eagerly awaited reopening trade with England • The focus of Madison’s presidency was foreign policy: • In 1809, the Non-Intercourse Act promised the U.S. would resume trade with England & France once U.S. neutrality is respected • In 1810, Congress replaced this with Macon’s Bill #2 offering exclusive trade to whichever nation 1st honored U.S. neutrality France agreed to end all trade restrictions (but never stopped seizing ships or impressing sailors)

7. Patriotism surged as War Hawks claimed the War of 1812 the “Second American Revolution” Madison eventually gave in & asked Congress for a declaration of war in June 1812 Which region would have supported a declaration of war the most? Americans in the West & South wanted war to gain Canada & Spanish Florida NE Federalists thought war with Britain as a mistake: they feared the U.S. could not defeat England & a war would bankrupt the country Most calls for war centered on British interference with U.S. trade rights. “Free Trade & Sailors' Rights” was a popular battle cry By 1810, War Hawks in Congress, led by Henry Clay (KY) & John C. Calhoun (SC), demanded war with England

8. The War of 1812

9. War of 1812 The U.S. did not fare well against the better-trained British troops The U.S. navy was a little more successful but only because the bulk of British navy was still fighting Napoleon in Europe • Despite increased patriotism, the U.S. was unprepared for war: • Congress refused to raise taxes • The army was small & state militias were inadequate • The government was incapable of directing a full-scale war • The U.S. goal for the war was to attack British Canada & force England to respect U.S. rights

10. The American army under Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New Orleans (after a peace treaty was drawn up ending the war) The War of 1812 In 1814, the British took the offensive in a 3-pronged attack British were turned back at Plattsburg on Lake Champlain & gave up their Canadian offensive The British attacked the undefended Chesapeake & burned Washington, DC & laid siege to Baltimore

13. Hartford Convention The War of 1812 is still going on!! In order to reduce southern control of Congress • Federalists opposed the war by not paying taxes or sending troops • In 1814, Federalists met at the Hartford Convention to discuss altering the U.S. Constitution to: • restrict Congress’ war powers • supported a one-term president • abolish the three-fifths clause • They discussed seceding from the USA if they did not get their way In order to break the Virginia presidential dynasty

14. Treaty of Ghent • Treaty of Ghent ended the war, but did not address U.S. neutrality • Effects of the War of 1812: • Ended all Indian-British alliances in western lands • Scared Spain into signing the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819 • The lack of Federalist loyalty was the fatal blow to the party Spain ceded Florida to the USA