The War of 1812

1. The War of 1812

2. America's Second War for Independence?

3. Causes of the War?

4. 1. Napoleonic Wars • 1806  Napoleon’s “Continental System” • 1806  Britain issued the “Orders in Council.” • 1807  Chesapeake Affair • 1808-1811  Britain impressed over 6,000 American sailors.

5. 2. Chesapeake “Affair” • June 21, 1807. • Br. Captain fired on the USS Chesapeake. • 3 dead, 18 wounded. • Br. Foreign Office said it was a mistake. • Jefferson’s Response: • Forbade Br. ships to dock in American ports. • Ordered state governors to call up as much as 100,000 militiamen.

6. 3. The Embargo Act (1807)The “OGRABME” Turtle

7. Presidential Election of 1808

8. James Madison Becomes President

9. Dolly Madison: The President’s Greatest Asset

10. 4. The Non-Intercourse Act (1809) • Replaced the Embargo Act. • Remained U. S. policy until 1812. • Unexpected Consequences: • N. Eng. was forced to become self-sufficient again [old factories reopened]. • Laid the groundwork for US industrial power. • Jefferson, a critic of an industrial America, ironically contributed to Hamilton’s view of the US!!!

11. 5. Br. Instigation of Indians British General Brock Meets with Tecumseh

12. Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811 • General William HenryHarrison  governor ofthe Indiana Territory. • Invited Native Indianchiefs to Ft. Wayne, INto sign away 3 mil. acres of land to the US government. • Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelands. • Tecumseh’s brother fought against Harrison and was defeated at Tippecanoe. • This made Harrison a national hero![1840 election  Tippecanoe & Tyler, too!]

13. “War Hawks” John C. Calhoun [SC] Henry Clay [KY]

14. Presidential Election of 1812

15. “Mr. Madison’s War!”

16. American Problems • The US was unprepared militarily: • Had a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’s800 ships. • Americans disliked a draft  preferred to enlist in the disorganized state militias. • So they are ill-trained, ill-disciplined, and scattered. • Ranking General were ‘heirlooms” from the Revolutionary War. • Financially unprepared: • Flood of paper $. • Revenue from import tariffs declined. • Regional disagreements.

17. Overviewof theWarof1812

18. Canada was important because British forces were considered weak there. Also, perhaps create land for American settlers However, American offensive was poorly organized. Instead of attacking Montreal, they attacked with a three-prong invasion to Detroit, Niagara, and Lake Champlain. All three attacks were beaten back quickly Battle in Canada

19. 3 U. S. Invasions of 1812

20. At the onset of war, the British and Canadians did well. Captured Fort Michilimackinac in 1812, led by Isaac Brock In 1813, more offensives defeated in Canada Americans look to the sea for victories British and Canadian Victories

21. U.S Navy was much better equipped and prepared for war U.S. ships more skillfully handled, better gunners, and not manned by press-gang-crews. American Frigates, like the Constitution were thicker, heavier firepower, and larger crews (1 in 6 were free blacks) Control of Great Lakes was vital, and Perry met the challenge. “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.” Oliver Hazard Perry

22. Won important battles on Lake Erie in 1813. Victories forced Redcoats to flee Detroit and Fort Malden (Ontario). General Harrison defeats retreating Redcoats at the Battle of the Thames in October of 1813. Perry’s victory and slogan bred new life into the American cause Oliver Hazard Perry

23. Campaigns of 1813

24. Napoleon defeated and exiled to Elba So, British send new Redcoats to Canada 1.) Plan attack on New York, but must transport all goods/troops/supplies down Lake Champlain Campaign of18143 British Offenses

25. Thomas Macdonough, commanded the American fleet that met the British on Lake Champlain, near Plattsburgh. Macdonough snatched victory from the fangs of defeat. Invading British forced to retreat Saves Upper New York, keeps New England happy, and buys time for the Americans September 11, 1814

26. 2.) British land 4,000 troops in Chesapeake Bay. First defeat 6,000 militia at Bladensburg Enter Washington D.C. and set fire to public buildings, including the Capitol building and the White House While Washington burned, Baltimore held firm at Fort McHenry August 1814

27. Battle of Fort McHenry,1814 Oh Say Can You SeeBy the Dawn’s Early Light… -- Francis Scott Key

28. Gave proof through the night,That our flag was still there..

29. Third offensive of 1814 launched by the British, aimed to get New Orleans and threaten all of the Mississippi. Andrew Jackson was put in command of the American forces Ragtag group of 7,000 sailors, regulars, pirates, Frenchman as well as militia from Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Also, two regiments of free black volunteers numbering 400 men. 3.) New Orleans

30. British, numbering 8,000 seasoned soldiers made the mistake of using a frontal attack on January 8, 1815. Well-positioned Americans destroyed the attacking British. (2,000 dead or wounded in only 30 minutes compared to only 75 for the Americans) Andrew Jackson becomes a hero immediately. But peace treaty at Ghent had already been signed 2 weeks earlier. (Too bad for British soldiers who died, but mail moved slowly.) Battle of New Orleans

31. The Battle of New Orleans, 1815

32. The Battle of New Orleans, 1815

33. John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay led five Americans who represented the United States at the Treaty of Ghent. British at first wanted: Neutralized Indian buffer states in the Great Lakes area Control of the Great Lakes Part of Maine Treaty of Ghent

34. But news of defeat changed the tides of negotiations: Britain more worried with Europe and also the Congress of Vienna and limiting France’s power So, they resign to lick their wounds and sign a deal Singed on Christmas Eve 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was essentially a stalemate. Both agreed to stop fighting and return conquered territory. No mention of grievances for which the Americans fought (Indian menace, search and seizure, Orders in Council, and impressment) So, it was a draw. As the slogan of the day states: “Not one inch of territory ceded or lost.” Much different than, “On to Canada.” Treaty of Ghent

35. Treaty of GhentDecember 24, 1814

36. During the war, New England continually opposed the war and prospered financially through illegal trade. Some extremists even called for secession from the Union, or at least separate peace with Britain Blue Lights: New Englanders who flashed lanterns to warn the British of American ships attempting to bypass the blockade. Federalist Grievances

37. Hartford ConventionDecember, 1814 – January, 1815 New England Considers Cecession! • Attended by: • -Massachusetts • Connecticut • Rhode Island • Nerw Hampshire • And Vermont • (Vermont and New • Hampshire only sent • partial representation

38. In the end, the final report was far less radical than the initial demands for secession from the Union. Financial assistance from Washington for lost trade Proposed amendment for a 2/3 vote in Congress for any embargo to be put in place, new states admitted, or war declared. Abolish the three-fifths clause in the Constitution Limit presidents to one-term Prohibit the election of two successive presidents from the same state (aimed at the Virginia Dynasty) All of the demands reflect the Federalists fear teat New England was becoming subservient to the South and West Hartford ConventionDecember 15, 1814 – January 5, 1815

39. The Hartford Convention report was not well-received in Washington. Bad timing, report arrives at same time as news from New Orleans and Ghent arrive Seen as petty and treasonous at worst Press ridicules the report and the 3 envoys sent to deliver the report sank away in disgrace and obscurity Hartford Convention was the death of the Federalist Party. Never will they again mount a successful presidential campaign New England leaves a legacy of nullification and secession (embargo act and opposition to the war) Hartford ConventionDecember 15, 1814 – January 5, 1815

40. War was small, with 6,000 Americans killed or wounded and when Napoleon attacked Russia with 500,000 men, Madison sent only 5,000 men to Canada. However, despite being a small war, it was significant because it proved that America was willing to fight against what they perceived to be grievances. Other nation’s recognized America’s growing military strength and prowess. As a result, American was treated much more kindly diplomatically. It is in this sense that it can be called the Second War of Independence. War of 1812: Second War of Independence

41. Sectionalism was dealt a “Black eye” with New England being embarrassed and sectionalism and national disunity seen as counterproductive War Heroes Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison Naval Heroes Oliver Hazard Perry and Thomas Macdonough Manufacturing increased in New England as the blockade forced Americans to produce their own goods and creating more economic independence. War of 1812:Rising Nationalism

42. Nationalism received a boost in Canada too as they felt betrayed by the Treaty of Ghent. Mostly no Indian Buffer state in the Great Lakes region and feared a future Yankee attack Rush-Bagot agreement limits naval armament on the lakes. Relations improve and in 1870, last fortifications brought down. Today, longest unfortified border at 5,527 miles Canadians and Rush-Bagot

43. Large increase in nationalism after the war and also the idea of being one nation developed. Emergence of national/American literature Washington Irving and James Fennimore Cooper receive accolades for being first American writers of importance using American scenery and themes School textbooks written for Americans by Americans The North American Review, an intellectual magazine begins publication American painters celebrated American landscapes Reflections on War of 1812

44. National Spirit touches other areas as well: Finance-revived Bank of America voted by Congress in 1816 Rebuilt and more beautiful national capital built in D.C. Army expanded to 10,000 soldiers Navy gains more recognition by beating Barbary pirates (again) in 1815 Decatur, commander of fleets in Mediterranean, toasted: Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be right; but our country, right or wrong!” Reflections on War of 1812

45. Jackson’s Florida Campaigns