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Conflict With Native Americans • About 900,000 white settlers moved west of the Appalachians between 1790 and 1810. Native Americans resented these newcomers who build farms on Indian Lands. The settlers ignored treaties that the U.S. had signed with the Indian Nations of the region. • In response to the sectional violence, Washington sent General Anthony Wayne into Ohio in 1794. In response, Native American forces gathered at a place called Fallen Timbers, the Natives were beaten by the guns and training of the U.S.
Tecumseh’s Confederation • Angry Native Americans vowed to keep settlers from taking more Indian land. This included two Shawnee leaders: Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, a religious leader who was called the “prophet.” • The prophet and Tecumseh taught that the white customs corrupted the Indian way of life, and they argued that only a return to the old ways could give the Indians strength to resist the “white invaders.”
In 1811, William Henry Harrison marched 1,000 soldiers against Prophetstown on the Tippecanoe Creek. • In the end Harrison’s troops defeated the Prophet’s forces and destroyed Prophetstown. • Fighting with the N.A.’s hurt relations between the U.S. and Britain, because the British were supplying the Indians with supplies and ammo. • The War Hawks of New England called for punishments against Britain for seizing American ships, and hoped to conquer Canada from the British.
War Hawks saw other advantages of war with Britain because the U.S. could also seize Florida from Britain’s ally, Spain. • At last Madison gave into war fever, In June 1812, Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain. The House and Senate both voted in favor of war. Americans would soon learn that declaring war was easier than winning.
Early Days of the War • The American declaration of war took the British by surprise. They were locked in a bitter struggle with Napoleon and could not spare troops to fight the U.S. • The United States was not ready for war because Jefferson had reduced spending on defense and the navy and army were small and ill equipped. • The British navy blockaded American ports to stop American trade.
War in the West • One goal of the War Hawks was to conquer Canada. They were convinced that Canadians would welcome the chance to throw off British rule and join the U.S. • The United States, due to tactical errors on the side of the British, won the Battle of Lake Erie. As a result, the British and their ally Tecumseh retreated from Detroit into Canada. • Andrew Jackson, a Tennessee officer took command of American troops in the Creek War and in 1814 won a stunning victory at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend forcing the Creek to surrender.
Final Battles • In 1814, Britain and its allies defeated France, meaning Britain could now contribute more force to their American effort. In August 1814, the British landed an invasion force 30 miles from D.C. The British marched on the Capital and set fire to the White House • In late 1814, the British prepared to attack New Orleans. From there, they hoped to sail up the Mississippi. Andrew Jackson and the American soldiers dug trenches to defend themselves, and more than 2,000 British were killed by American sharpshooters. Only 7 Americans died.
Protest and Peace • The Blockade had hurt New England’s sea trade and they were afraid that if the U.S. won, Florida and the West might become more influential than New England. • In December 1814, New Englanders held the Hartford Convention and threatened to leave the Union if the war was not halted.
Nothing Was Settled • The official status of this war is “Status Quo Ante-Bellum” meaning no one lost, and no territory switched hands. • A peace treaty was signed in the City of Ghent, Belgium on December 24, 1814. In the Treaty of Ghent, nothing was adjusted, and nothing was settled. • Looking back, some Americans felt that the War of 1812 had been a mistake, while others argued that Europe would now treat the young republic with more respect.
